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 uses AWS KMS to encrypt EBS volumes. The security team wants to ensure that when an EC2 instance is launched, the attached EBS volumes are always encrypted using a specific customer managed key. Which action will enforce this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "always"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a service control policy (SCP) to deny ec2:RunInstances if the volume encryption key is not the required key
Option D is correct because an SCP can deny ec2:RunInstances if the volume encryption key is not the required key. Option A is wrong because IAM roles do not enforce encryption at launch. Option B is wrong because KMS key policies control who can use the key, not which key is used. Option C is wrong because default encryption uses the account's default key, not necessarily the required key.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 a service control policy (SCP) to deny ec2:RunInstances if the volume encryption key is not the required key
Why this is correct
SCPs can enforce key usage across the account.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Create an IAM role that requires the ec2:RunInstances action to include the kms:KeyId condition
Why it's wrong here
IAM roles are not used to enforce encryption policies.
✗
Configure the KMS key policy to allow only the specific key for EBS encryption
Why it's wrong here
Key policy does not enforce which key is used at launch.
✗
Enable encryption by default for EBS volumes in the account
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption uses the default KMS key, not a specific one.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a service control policy (SCP) to deny ec2:RunInstances if the volume encryption key is not the required key — Option D is correct because an SCP can deny ec2:RunInstances if the volume encryption key is not the required key. Option A is wrong because IAM roles do not enforce encryption at launch. Option B is wrong because KMS key policies control who can use the key, not which key is used. Option C is wrong because default encryption uses the account's default key, not necessarily the required key.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "always". Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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