Quick Answer
The correct combination is enabling default encryption with SSE-S3 and configuring a bucket policy to deny requests over HTTP. This pairing provides the most comprehensive protection because it addresses both data at rest and data in transit: SSE-S3 automatically encrypts every object using AES-256 keys managed by Amazon S3, ensuring that stored data is unreadable without authorized access, while the bucket policy rejecting HTTP enforces HTTPS for all uploads and downloads, preventing interception during transmission. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of layered security controls—many candidates mistakenly choose only encryption at rest or only HTTPS enforcement, missing the requirement for dual coverage. A common trap is assuming that enabling default encryption alone protects data in transit, or that a bucket policy denying HTTP also encrypts stored objects. Remember the memory tip: “Encrypt the store, enforce the door”—SSE-S3 locks the data at rest, and the bucket policy secures the channel in transit.
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 wants to protect data at rest for an Amazon S3 bucket that contains sensitive data. Which combination of actions provides the MOST comprehensive protection? (Choose two.)
Enable versioning on the bucket
Why wrong: Versioning does not encrypt.
Enable default encryption on the bucket with SSE-S3
Ensures encryption at rest.
Configure a bucket policy to deny requests over HTTP
Ensures encryption in transit.
Enable MFA Delete on the bucket
Why wrong: MFA Delete does not provide encryption.
Configure a lifecycle policy to transition objects to Glacier
Why wrong: Lifecycle does not encrypt.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable default encryption on the bucket with SSE-S3
Option B is correct because enabling default encryption with SSE-S3 ensures that all objects uploaded to the bucket are automatically encrypted at rest using server-side encryption with Amazon S3-managed keys (AES-256). Option C is correct because configuring a bucket policy to deny requests over HTTP enforces HTTPS for all data in transit, preventing exposure of sensitive data during transmission. Together, they protect data both at rest and in transit, providing comprehensive coverage.
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.
Enable versioning on the bucket
Why it's wrong here
Versioning does not encrypt.
Enable default encryption on the bucket with SSE-S3
Why this is correct
Ensures encryption at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Configure a bucket policy to deny requests over HTTP
Why this is correct
Ensures encryption in transit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable MFA Delete on the bucket
Why it's wrong here
MFA Delete does not provide encryption.
Configure a lifecycle policy to transition objects to Glacier
Why it's wrong here
Lifecycle does not encrypt.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse versioning or MFA Delete with data protection, but these features address data durability and deletion prevention, not encryption or transport security, which are required for comprehensive data protection.
Detailed technical explanation
SSE-S3 uses AES-256 encryption with Amazon-managed keys, and each object is encrypted with a unique key that is itself encrypted with a master key that rotates regularly. The bucket policy denying HTTP requests uses the `aws:SecureTransport` condition key set to `false` in a `Deny` effect, which blocks any request not using TLS 1.2 or higher. A common real-world scenario is compliance with PCI DSS or HIPAA, which require both encryption at rest and encrypted transmission for sensitive data.
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
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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: Enable default encryption on the bucket with SSE-S3 — Option B is correct because enabling default encryption with SSE-S3 ensures that all objects uploaded to the bucket are automatically encrypted at rest using server-side encryption with Amazon S3-managed keys (AES-256). Option C is correct because configuring a bucket policy to deny requests over HTTP enforces HTTPS for all data in transit, preventing exposure of sensitive data during transmission. Together, they protect data both at rest and in transit, providing comprehensive coverage.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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