The correct answer is to add a condition in the bucket policy using aws:SourceVpce with the VPC endpoint ID. This works because when you create a VPC endpoint for S3, all traffic from within that VPC to S3 is routed through the endpoint, and the aws:SourceVpce condition key allows you to restrict access exclusively to requests that originate from that specific endpoint. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to combine VPC endpoints with S3 bucket policies for network-level access control, a common scenario for securing data in transit. A frequent trap is confusing aws:SourceIp with VPC traffic—remember that S3 traffic from a VPC uses the endpoint’s private IP, not the source instance’s IP, making aws:SourceIp ineffective. Another pitfall is placing the condition on the IAM role policy instead of the bucket policy; the restriction must be on the resource itself. Memory tip: think “VPCe = VPC endpoint, so use aws:SourceVpce to lock the bucket to that door.”
SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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 company has an S3 bucket with a bucket policy that grants access to an IAM role. The security team wants to restrict access to only requests that originate from the company's VPC. How can this be achieved?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a condition in the bucket policy using aws:SourceVpce with the VPC endpoint ID.
Option A is correct: use a VPC endpoint and the aws:SourceVpce condition. Option B is wrong because aws:SourceIp is not effective for VPC traffic from S3. Option C is wrong because the condition is on the bucket policy, not the role policy. Option D is wrong because allowing only specific instances is not granular.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Create a new IAM role that can only be assumed by instances in the VPC.
Why it's wrong here
This does not restrict the origin of the request to the VPC.
✗
Add a condition in the IAM role policy using aws:SourceVpce.
Why it's wrong here
The condition should be in the bucket policy, not the role policy.
✗
Add a condition in the bucket policy using aws:SourceIp with the VPC CIDR range.
Why it's wrong here
S3 requests from VPC via endpoint have a different source IP.
✓
Add a condition in the bucket policy using aws:SourceVpce with the VPC endpoint ID.
Why this is correct
This ensures requests come through the specified VPC endpoint.
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SCS-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a condition in the bucket policy using aws:SourceVpce with the VPC endpoint ID. — Option A is correct: use a VPC endpoint and the aws:SourceVpce condition. Option B is wrong because aws:SourceIp is not effective for VPC traffic from S3. Option C is wrong because the condition is on the bucket policy, not the role policy. Option D is wrong because allowing only specific instances is not granular.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SCS-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This SCS-C02 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 SCS-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.