Quick Answer
The risk of unencrypted S3 uploads is that data can be uploaded without encryption at rest, potentially exposing sensitive information. This occurs because the bucket policy allows s3:PutObject without requiring the x-amz-server-side-encryption header, meaning objects can be stored in plaintext even if AWS KMS is available for use. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how bucket policies enforce encryption at rest versus merely enabling it—a common trap is confusing KMS availability with mandatory encryption. Remember, a policy that permits uploads without requiring encryption leaves a gap where data lands unencrypted, regardless of what encryption options exist. Memory tip: "Allow without require equals plaintext in the bucket."
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 using AWS KMS to encrypt data in Amazon S3. The security team discovers that an S3 bucket has a bucket policy that allows s3:PutObject without requiring encryption. What is the risk?
The KMS key can be used by unauthorized users
Why wrong: The bucket policy does not control KMS usage.
Data can be downloaded without authentication
Why wrong: The policy does not affect authentication.
Data in transit is not encrypted
Why wrong: The policy does not affect encryption in transit.
Data can be uploaded without encryption at rest
Without requiring encryption, data may be stored unencrypted.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Data can be uploaded without encryption at rest
Data can be uploaded without encryption, potentially exposing sensitive data. Option A is wrong because the data is not encrypted at rest. Option C is wrong because encryption in transit is not related. Option D is wrong because the risk is about data being stored unencrypted.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The KMS key can be used by unauthorized users
Why it's wrong here
The bucket policy does not control KMS usage.
Data can be downloaded without authentication
Why it's wrong here
The policy does not affect authentication.
Data in transit is not encrypted
Why it's wrong here
The policy does not affect encryption in transit.
Data can be uploaded without encryption at rest
Why this is correct
Without requiring encryption, data may be stored unencrypted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
Data Protection — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Data can be uploaded without encryption at rest — Data can be uploaded without encryption, potentially exposing sensitive data. Option A is wrong because the data is not encrypted at rest. Option C is wrong because encryption in transit is not related. Option D is wrong because the risk is about data being stored unencrypted.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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