PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": "s3:PutObject",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::sap-backup-bucket/*",
"Condition": {
"StringEquals": {
"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "AES256"
}
}
}
]
}The exhibit shows an IAM policy for an SAP backup process that uploads backups to S3. An administrator wants to ensure that all uploads are encrypted using SSE-S3. What does this policy enforce?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the `StringNotEquals` condition with a requirement for client-side encryption or KMS, or assume that bucket default encryption would automatically satisfy the policy, when in fact the policy explicitly denies requests that do not include the correct header.
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
✓
Any PutObject request that does not include the encryption header will be denied.
The policy uses a `Deny` effect with a `StringNotEquals` condition on the `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` header, requiring it to be `AES256`. This enforces that any `PutObject` request must include the `x-amz-server-side-encryption: AES256` header; otherwise, the request is denied. Option C correctly states that requests without the encryption header will be denied.
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 backup process must encrypt the files before uploading them.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is not required; server-side encryption is enforced.
- ✗
The backup process must use AWS KMS to encrypt the objects.
Why it's wrong here
The condition specifies AES256, which is SSE-S3, not KMS.
- ✓
Any PutObject request that does not include the encryption header will be denied.
Why this is correct
The condition requires the encryption header; without it, the request fails.
- ✗
The bucket automatically encrypts objects with SSE-S3 even if the request does not specify it.
Why it's wrong here
The policy only enforces client-provided encryption.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
Go deeper
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PAS-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PAS-C01 exam.