- A
Create an IAM role in the company's account that the third party can assume, and attach a policy that grants access to the specific files.
Why wrong: This requires the third party to assume a role, which may not be feasible and does not enforce encryption key control.
- B
Use S3 Cross-Region Replication to replicate the files to a bucket in the third party's account.
Why wrong: Replication does not provide access control or encryption key enforcement.
- C
Configure an S3 bucket policy that denies access unless the request includes a specific KMS key ID.
Enforces that only objects encrypted with the specified key can be accessed.
- D
Generate presigned URLs for the specific files and email them to the third party.
Why wrong: Presigned URLs do not provide encryption key control and are not easily rotated every 30 days.
- E
Use a KMS key policy that grants the third party's AWS account permission to use the key for decrypt operations.
Allows the third party to decrypt objects encrypted with that key.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use a KMS key policy that grants the third party’s AWS account permission to perform decrypt operations, combined with an S3 bucket policy that restricts access to objects encrypted with that specific KMS key. This approach ensures that the third party can only decrypt and access the specific files you authorize, while encryption at rest is enforced by the KMS key and encryption in transit is handled by S3’s HTTPS endpoints. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cross-account KMS key policies versus IAM roles or presigned URLs—a common trap is choosing presigned URLs, but they don’t enforce key-level access control or credential rotation. The 30-day credential rotation requirement is satisfied because KMS key policies are static, but you can rotate the key material or reissue grants periodically. Memory tip: think “key policy for decrypt, bucket policy for restrict”—the key unlocks the data, the bucket policy locks the door.
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. 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 is designing a secure data sharing solution with a third party. The company needs to share sensitive files stored in an S3 bucket with the third party, ensuring that the files are encrypted at rest and in transit, and that the third party can only access specific files. The company also wants to rotate the access credentials every 30 days. Which TWO actions should the company take? (Select TWO.)
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
Configure an S3 bucket policy that denies access unless the request includes a specific KMS key ID.
Options A and D are correct. Using a KMS key policy to grant decrypt permission to the third party's AWS account allows them to decrypt objects. Using S3 bucket policy with a condition on the KMS key ensures they only access objects encrypted with that key. Option B is wrong because presigned URLs can be shared, but they don't enforce encryption key control. Option C is wrong because cross-account roles require the third party to assume a role, not rotate credentials every 30 days. Option E is wrong because using a separate bucket with replication does not enforce key-specific access.
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.
- ✗
Create an IAM role in the company's account that the third party can assume, and attach a policy that grants access to the specific files.
Why it's wrong here
This requires the third party to assume a role, which may not be feasible and does not enforce encryption key control.
- ✗
Use S3 Cross-Region Replication to replicate the files to a bucket in the third party's account.
Why it's wrong here
Replication does not provide access control or encryption key enforcement.
- ✓
Configure an S3 bucket policy that denies access unless the request includes a specific KMS key ID.
Why this is correct
Enforces that only objects encrypted with the specified key can be accessed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Generate presigned URLs for the specific files and email them to the third party.
Why it's wrong here
Presigned URLs do not provide encryption key control and are not easily rotated every 30 days.
- ✓
Use a KMS key policy that grants the third party's AWS account permission to use the key for decrypt operations.
Why this is correct
Allows the third party to decrypt objects encrypted with that key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 SCS-C02 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.
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Data Protection — study guide chapter
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Data Protection practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure an S3 bucket policy that denies access unless the request includes a specific KMS key ID. — Options A and D are correct. Using a KMS key policy to grant decrypt permission to the third party's AWS account allows them to decrypt objects. Using S3 bucket policy with a condition on the KMS key ensures they only access objects encrypted with that key. Option B is wrong because presigned URLs can be shared, but they don't enforce encryption key control. Option C is wrong because cross-account roles require the third party to assume a role, not rotate credentials every 30 days. Option E is wrong because using a separate bucket with replication does not enforce key-specific access.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SCS-C02 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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