- A
Use S3 server-side encryption with customer-provided keys (SSE-C) and implement a Lambda function to rotate keys every 90 days.
Why wrong: SSE-C requires the client to manage keys and provide them with each request, adding operational overhead and complexity for rotation.
- B
Use S3 server-side encryption with S3-managed keys (SSE-S3) and enable S3 server access logs.
Why wrong: SSE-S3 uses AWS-managed keys with automatic rotation every year, but cannot be configured to rotate every 90 days, and server access logs do not provide key usage audit.
- C
Use S3 server-side encryption with AWS KMS-managed keys (SSE-KMS) and enable automatic key rotation every 90 days. Enable AWS CloudTrail for KMS key usage logging.
SSE-KMS allows automatic key rotation with customizable interval (minimum 90 days for custom key stores), and CloudTrail provides audit trail of key usage with minimal operational burden.
- D
Use client-side encryption with the AWS Encryption SDK and store the keys in AWS Secrets Manager with automatic rotation.
Why wrong: Client-side encryption shifts the burden to the application, and Secrets Manager rotation requires custom Lambda functions, increasing overhead.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is SSE-KMS with 90-day key rotation and CloudTrail audit. AWS KMS allows you to configure automatic key rotation every 90 days for custom key stores, meeting the compliance requirement without manual intervention, while SSE-KMS encrypts S3 objects at rest using envelope encryption with a customer master key. On the SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to balance security controls with operational overhead—the common trap is choosing SSE-S3, which lacks rotation control, or SSE-C, which forces you to manage keys yourself. Remember that CloudTrail logs every KMS Decrypt and GenerateDataKey call, providing the required audit trail of key usage. Memory tip: “KMS rotates, CloudTrail notes, SSE-C you vote out.”
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A healthcare company is storing sensitive patient data in Amazon S3. The compliance team requires that all data be encrypted at rest and that the encryption keys be rotated every 90 days. Additionally, the company must maintain an audit trail of all key usage. Which solution meets these requirements with the LEAST operational overhead?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use S3 server-side encryption with AWS KMS-managed keys (SSE-KMS) and enable automatic key rotation every 90 days. Enable AWS CloudTrail for KMS key usage logging.
Option D is correct because AWS KMS automatic key rotation handles rotation every 365 days (configurable to 90 days for custom key stores) and CloudTrail logs key usage. Option A is wrong because SSE-S3 does not provide key rotation control. Option B is wrong because SSE-C requires manual key management and rotation. Option C is wrong because client-side encryption places the burden on the application.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use S3 server-side encryption with customer-provided keys (SSE-C) and implement a Lambda function to rotate keys every 90 days.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-C requires the client to manage keys and provide them with each request, adding operational overhead and complexity for rotation.
- ✗
Use S3 server-side encryption with S3-managed keys (SSE-S3) and enable S3 server access logs.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 uses AWS-managed keys with automatic rotation every year, but cannot be configured to rotate every 90 days, and server access logs do not provide key usage audit.
- ✓
Use S3 server-side encryption with AWS KMS-managed keys (SSE-KMS) and enable automatic key rotation every 90 days. Enable AWS CloudTrail for KMS key usage logging.
Why this is correct
SSE-KMS allows automatic key rotation with customizable interval (minimum 90 days for custom key stores), and CloudTrail provides audit trail of key usage with minimal operational burden.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Use client-side encryption with the AWS Encryption SDK and store the keys in AWS Secrets Manager with automatic rotation.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption shifts the burden to the application, and Secrets Manager rotation requires custom Lambda functions, increasing overhead.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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Design for New Solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use S3 server-side encryption with AWS KMS-managed keys (SSE-KMS) and enable automatic key rotation every 90 days. Enable AWS CloudTrail for KMS key usage logging. — Option D is correct because AWS KMS automatic key rotation handles rotation every 365 days (configurable to 90 days for custom key stores) and CloudTrail logs key usage. Option A is wrong because SSE-S3 does not provide key rotation control. Option B is wrong because SSE-C requires manual key management and rotation. Option C is wrong because client-side encryption places the burden on the application.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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