The answer is that the backup job fails because the IAM policy enforces server-side encryption with KMS, but the upload request does not include the required `x-amz-server-side-encryption: aws:kms` header. This is a classic example of an S3 PutObject with encryption condition IAM policy, where the `s3:PutObject` action is conditionally allowed only when the encryption header is present. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how IAM condition keys like `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` interact with S3 API calls—a common trap is assuming the bucket’s default encryption setting will automatically satisfy the policy condition, but the condition must be met in the request itself. Remember, the policy evaluates the request headers, not the bucket configuration. Memory tip: “Header or header—if the policy demands it, the request must hand it.”
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An SAP administrator created an IAM policy to allow an EC2 instance to upload backups to an S3 bucket. The policy is shown in the exhibit. However, the backup job fails with an access denied error. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy requires server-side encryption with KMS, but the backup job does not include the required encryption header
The policy only allows s3:PutObject when the request includes the header x-amz-server-side-encryption with value aws:kms. If the backup job does not include that header, the request is denied. Option A is correct. The resource is specific to backups/ prefix, so that is fine. The policy does not require KMS key permissions, so D is not the issue.
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.
✗
The KMS key policy does not grant the EC2 instance permission to use the key
Why it's wrong here
The policy does not reference a specific KMS key; it only requires the header.
✓
The policy requires server-side encryption with KMS, but the backup job does not include the required encryption header
Why this is correct
The condition requires the encryption header, which may be missing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The resource ARN is incorrect because it does not include the bucket name correctly
Why it's wrong here
The ARN is correctly formatted for the bucket and prefix.
✗
The IAM role does not have permission to call s3:PutObject
Why it's wrong here
The policy explicitly allows s3:PutObject.
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: The policy requires server-side encryption with KMS, but the backup job does not include the required encryption header — The policy only allows s3:PutObject when the request includes the header x-amz-server-side-encryption with value aws:kms. If the backup job does not include that header, the request is denied. Option A is correct. The resource is specific to backups/ prefix, so that is fine. The policy does not require KMS key permissions, so D is not the issue.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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