The answer is to configure the S3 bucket to use SSE-KMS with the same Customer Managed Key (CMK) used for the EBS volumes. This is correct because Server-Side Encryption with KMS (SSE-KMS) allows you to explicitly specify a CMK, ensuring the S3 bucket for SAP is encrypted with the same key as the EBS volumes, which is essential for a unified encryption strategy. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this tests your understanding of how to enforce consistent encryption across SAP workloads, often appearing in scenarios where you must avoid key fragmentation. A common trap is assuming default encryption or bucket policies alone can specify the key—they cannot; only SSE-KMS with a direct key ID ensures the same CMK is used. Memory tip: think “SSE-KMS equals key control,” meaning you must explicitly name the CMK to match your EBS encryption.
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 company is running SAP on AWS and wants to implement encryption at rest for all data. The company uses AWS KMS with Customer Managed Keys (CMKs) for the EBS volumes. The SAP application servers need to access an S3 bucket that contains sensitive data. How should the company ensure that the S3 bucket is encrypted with the same CMK?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the S3 bucket to use SSE-KMS with the same CMK
S3 supports server-side encryption with KMS keys (SSE-KMS). To use the same CMK, the S3 bucket must be configured with SSE-KMS and the key must be specified. Option A is correct. Default encryption (B) may use a different KMS key. Bucket policy (C) can enforce encryption but not specify the key. Client-side encryption (D) uses client-managed keys.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 client-side encryption before uploading to S3
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption uses client-managed keys, not the same CMK.
✓
Configure the S3 bucket to use SSE-KMS with the same CMK
Why this is correct
SSE-KMS allows specifying a particular CMK.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add a bucket policy that denies if encryption is not present
Why it's wrong here
Policy can enforce encryption but does not specify the key.
✗
Enable default encryption on the S3 bucket with SSE-S3
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 uses AWS-managed keys, not the same CMK.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Technology — This question tests Technology — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the S3 bucket to use SSE-KMS with the same CMK — S3 supports server-side encryption with KMS keys (SSE-KMS). To use the same CMK, the S3 bucket must be configured with SSE-KMS and the key must be specified. Option A is correct. Default encryption (B) may use a different KMS key. Bucket policy (C) can enforce encryption but not specify the key. Client-side encryption (D) uses client-managed keys.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which PAS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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