The correct answer is that the volumes are not encrypted at the time of creation, even though encryption is enabled later. This is because the AWS Config managed rule `encrypted-volumes` evaluates the EBS volume resource itself at the moment it is created; it does not re-evaluate the volume if encryption is enabled after creation, nor does it check the account-level default encryption setting. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how Config rules evaluate resource state versus configuration drift—a common trap is assuming that enabling encryption post-creation or relying on default encryption satisfies the rule. Remember, Config rules are snapshots of a resource’s configuration at creation time, not ongoing audits of later modifications. A useful memory tip: “Config checks the birth, not the fix”—if a volume is born unencrypted, it stays non-compliant even if you later apply encryption.
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 uses Amazon EBS volumes for EC2 instances. The security team requires that all EBS volumes be encrypted at rest. The team creates an AWS Config rule to check whether EBS volumes are encrypted. However, some volumes are non-compliant even though they have encryption enabled. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The volumes were created from unencrypted snapshots.
Why wrong: The rule checks the volume's encryption attribute, not the snapshot.
B
The volumes are encrypted with a different KMS key than the one specified in the Config rule.
Why wrong: The managed rule does not check which KMS key is used.
C
The volumes are not encrypted at the time of creation, even though encryption is enabled later.
The Config rule checks the volume's encryption attribute; if a volume was created unencrypted and then encrypted via a snapshot, the volume remains non-compliant if the encryption attribute is not set.
D
The Config rule is configured to check for a specific KMS key alias.
Why wrong: The managed rule does not check key alias.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The volumes are not encrypted at the time of creation, even though encryption is enabled later.
Option D is correct because the AWS Config managed rule 'encrypted-volumes' checks if EBS volumes are encrypted, but it does not check the default encryption setting for the account; it only checks the volumes themselves. Option A is wrong because Config rules check the configuration, not the encryption key. Option B is wrong because the rule checks volumes, not snapshots. Option C is wrong because the rule does not check encryption keys.
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.
✗
The volumes were created from unencrypted snapshots.
Why it's wrong here
The rule checks the volume's encryption attribute, not the snapshot.
✗
The volumes are encrypted with a different KMS key than the one specified in the Config rule.
Why it's wrong here
The managed rule does not check which KMS key is used.
✓
The volumes are not encrypted at the time of creation, even though encryption is enabled later.
Why this is correct
The Config rule checks the volume's encryption attribute; if a volume was created unencrypted and then encrypted via a snapshot, the volume remains non-compliant if the encryption attribute is not set.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The Config rule is configured to check for a specific KMS key alias.
Why it's wrong here
The managed rule does not check key alias.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
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: The volumes are not encrypted at the time of creation, even though encryption is enabled later. — Option D is correct because the AWS Config managed rule 'encrypted-volumes' checks if EBS volumes are encrypted, but it does not check the default encryption setting for the account; it only checks the volumes themselves. Option A is wrong because Config rules check the configuration, not the encryption key. Option B is wrong because the rule checks volumes, not snapshots. Option C is wrong because the rule does not check encryption keys.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.