The correct answer is to use a service control policy (SCP) to deny creation of buckets without default encryption. An SCP applied at the AWS Organizations root or to specific organizational units can enforce S3 default encryption across the entire organization by preventing any account from creating an S3 bucket that lacks the encryption configuration, using a condition like `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` or `s3:PutBucketEncryption`. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of preventive vs. detective controls and the scope of SCPs versus IAM or bucket policies—a common trap is choosing a bucket policy, but that is per-resource and not preventive. Remember the key distinction: SCPs set guardrails at the organization level, while IAM and bucket policies are account or resource-specific. Memory tip: “SCP stops it before it starts”—it denies the action at the API call level, making it the only true preventive option for organization-wide enforcement.
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 AWS Organizations and wants to enforce that all S3 buckets created in any account within the organization have default encryption enabled. Which policy should be used?
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 creation of buckets without default encryption
Option A (SCP) is correct because it can be applied to all accounts to enforce the requirement. Option B is wrong because IAM policies are account-specific. Option C is wrong because service control policies do not configure resources. Option D is wrong because a bucket policy is per bucket, not preventive.
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 bucket policy on each bucket to enforce encryption
Why it's wrong here
Bucket policies are applied per bucket, not preventive at creation.
✓
Use a service control policy (SCP) to deny creation of buckets without default encryption
Why this is correct
SCPs can enforce rules across all accounts in the organization.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use an IAM policy to require encryption on all bucket creation actions
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies apply only to individual users/roles, not all accounts.
✗
Use AWS Config rules to automatically enable encryption on new buckets
Why it's wrong here
Config is detective, not preventive.
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 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.
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 creation of buckets without default encryption — Option A (SCP) is correct because it can be applied to all accounts to enforce the requirement. Option B is wrong because IAM policies are account-specific. Option C is wrong because service control policies do not configure resources. Option D is wrong because a bucket policy is per bucket, not preventive.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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
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