The correct choice is to enable EBS encryption by default using the AWS managed key for Amazon EBS, which has the alias `aws/ebs`. This satisfies the requirement for an automatically rotated key because the AWS managed key for EBS is rotated annually by AWS without any manual intervention, ensuring data at rest is always protected under a fresh cryptographic material. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the difference between AWS managed keys (like `aws/ebs`) and customer managed keys (CMKs) in KMS; a common trap is assuming you must create a custom key for automatic rotation, but only AWS managed keys for supported services rotate automatically by default. Remember the memory tip: "Default EBS, default rotation" — if you enable default encryption with the `aws/ebs` key, AWS handles the rotation for you.
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 needs to encrypt data at rest in Amazon EBS volumes. They want to use an AWS managed key that is automatically rotated. Which encryption option should they choose?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable EBS encryption by default using the AWS managed key for Amazon EBS.
Option B is correct because enabling EBS encryption by default using the AWS managed key for Amazon EBS (alias `aws/ebs`) ensures data at rest is encrypted with a key that is automatically rotated on an annual basis, as required. This key is managed by AWS and requires no manual intervention for rotation, meeting the company's need for a managed, automatically rotated key.
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.
✗
Use SSE-S3.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 is for S3, not EBS.
✓
Enable EBS encryption by default using the AWS managed key for Amazon EBS.
Why this is correct
The AWS managed key for EBS is automatically rotated by AWS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use a customer-managed KMS key with automatic rotation enabled.
Why it's wrong here
Customer-managed keys can have automatic rotation, but the question specifies 'AWS managed key'.
✗
Use client-side encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is performed by the application before data is sent to EBS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'AWS managed key' with 'customer-managed KMS key with automatic rotation enabled,' but the key distinction is that a customer-managed key is not an AWS managed key—it is managed by the customer, even if rotation is automated.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The AWS managed key for Amazon EBS (`aws/ebs`) is a KMS key that is automatically rotated every year, with previous key material retained for decryption of older data. When EBS encryption by default is enabled, all new EBS volumes are encrypted using this key unless a different KMS key is specified, and the encryption occurs at the hypervisor layer transparently to the instance. In a real-world scenario, if a company needs to meet compliance requirements like PCI DSS or HIPAA that mandate automatic key rotation, using the `aws/ebs` key simplifies audit trails because AWS handles rotation without any customer action.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Enable EBS encryption by default using the AWS managed key for Amazon EBS. — Option B is correct because enabling EBS encryption by default using the AWS managed key for Amazon EBS (alias `aws/ebs`) ensures data at rest is encrypted with a key that is automatically rotated on an annual basis, as required. This key is managed by AWS and requires no manual intervention for rotation, meeting the company's need for a managed, automatically rotated key.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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