- A
{"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*", "Condition": {"Bool": {"aws:SecureTransport": "true"}}}
Why wrong: This denies HTTPS requests, which is the opposite of what is needed.
- B
{"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*", "Condition": {"Bool": {"aws:SecureTransport": "false"}}}
This policy denies requests where SecureTransport is false (non-HTTPS).
- C
{"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*", "Condition": {"Null": {"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "true"}}}
Why wrong: This relates to encryption at rest, not in transit.
- D
{"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*"}
Why wrong: This denies all requests, which is too restrictive.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is the bucket policy that uses `"aws:SecureTransport": "false"` with a Deny effect, as this directly enforces HTTPS for all S3 requests by blocking any traffic that does not use encryption in transit. This works because the `aws:SecureTransport` condition key evaluates whether the request was sent over HTTPS (true) or HTTP (false); by denying access when the value is false, you effectively require HTTPS for every operation. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of S3 bucket policy conditions for encryption in transit, a common topic in the Infrastructure Security domain. A frequent trap is confusing this with encryption at rest policies (like SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS) or accidentally using a Deny on `aws:SecureTransport` set to true, which would block all secure traffic. Memory tip: think “Secure Transport = Secure Tunnel” — if the tunnel is not secure (false), deny the request.
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 wants to protect sensitive data stored in Amazon S3 by enforcing encryption in transit. Which policy should be used to deny requests that do not use HTTPS?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
{"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*", "Condition": {"Bool": {"aws:SecureTransport": "false"}}}
A bucket policy with a condition on aws:SecureTransport denies non-HTTPS requests. Option A is wrong because it refers to encryption at rest. Option C is wrong because it denies all requests. Option D is wrong because it denies HTTPS traffic, which is the opposite.
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.
- ✗
{"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*", "Condition": {"Bool": {"aws:SecureTransport": "true"}}}
Why it's wrong here
This denies HTTPS requests, which is the opposite of what is needed.
- ✓
{"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*", "Condition": {"Bool": {"aws:SecureTransport": "false"}}}
Why this is correct
This policy denies requests where SecureTransport is false (non-HTTPS).
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
{"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*", "Condition": {"Null": {"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption": "true"}}}
Why it's wrong here
This relates to encryption at rest, not in transit.
- ✗
{"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*"}
Why it's wrong here
This denies all requests, which is too restrictive.
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 — study guide chapter
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Data Protection practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: {"Effect": "Deny", "Principal": "*", "Action": "s3:*", "Resource": "*", "Condition": {"Bool": {"aws:SecureTransport": "false"}}} — A bucket policy with a condition on aws:SecureTransport denies non-HTTPS requests. Option A is wrong because it refers to encryption at rest. Option C is wrong because it denies all requests. Option D is wrong because it denies HTTPS traffic, which is the opposite.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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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