The correct answer is to enable automatic key rotation in AWS KMS for the customer managed key and then re-encrypt existing S3 objects with the new key material. This works because AWS KMS automatic rotation creates new cryptographic material annually, but to meet a 90-day rotation requirement for S3 SSE-KMS, you must pair that with re-encrypting the objects—either by copying them in place or using S3 Batch Operations—so the objects themselves are encrypted with the latest key version. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding that KMS key rotation does not automatically re-encrypt existing ciphertext; a common trap is assuming S3 handles re-encryption automatically or that deleting the old key is safe. Remember the memory tip: “Rotate the key, re-encrypt the objects—old keys stay, new keys protect.”
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 has a requirement to automatically rotate encryption keys for S3 objects every 90 days. They are using SSE-KMS with a customer managed key. Which combination of actions will meet the requirement without breaking access to existing objects? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use S3 Batch Operations to re-encrypt existing objects with the new key
Options A and D are correct because enabling automatic key rotation in KMS rotates the key material annually (but not 90 days), and re-encrypting existing objects with the new key ensures they are encrypted with the latest key. Option B is incorrect because deleting the old key breaks access. Option C is incorrect because S3 does not automatically re-encrypt. Option E is incorrect because manual rotation every 90 days is not necessary if automatic rotation is enabled, and re-encryption is needed.
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.
✗
Configure an S3 lifecycle policy to re-encrypt objects
Why it's wrong here
S3 lifecycle does not re-encrypt.
✓
Use S3 Batch Operations to re-encrypt existing objects with the new key
Why this is correct
Batch Operations can re-encrypt objects.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Manually rotate the key every 90 days and re-encrypt all objects
Why it's wrong here
Manual rotation is not needed if automatic rotation is enabled.
✗
Delete the existing key and create a new one each 90 days
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the old key will break access to existing objects.
✓
Enable automatic key rotation in AWS KMS for the customer managed key
Why this is correct
Automatic rotation creates new backing keys annually.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use S3 Batch Operations to re-encrypt existing objects with the new key — Options A and D are correct because enabling automatic key rotation in KMS rotates the key material annually (but not 90 days), and re-encrypting existing objects with the new key ensures they are encrypted with the latest key. Option B is incorrect because deleting the old key breaks access. Option C is incorrect because S3 does not automatically re-encrypt. Option E is incorrect because manual rotation every 90 days is not necessary if automatic rotation is enabled, and re-encryption is needed.
What should I do if I get this SCS-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 SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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