The correct answer is to enable EBS encryption by default for the region and create a new encrypted volume. This works because when you enable EBS encryption by default at the region level, any new EBS volumes created in that region are automatically encrypted using a KMS key, ensuring data at rest is protected without requiring manual steps per volume. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how to enforce encryption policies efficiently at scale, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a company needs to meet compliance requirements. A common trap is thinking you can directly encrypt an existing unencrypted volume—you cannot; you must snapshot it and restore as an encrypted copy. Another trap is confusing instance store volumes, which are ephemeral and not managed by EBS, with persistent EBS volumes. Memory tip: think "Default first, then create" to avoid the snapshot workaround.
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 an Amazon EBS volume. The volume is attached to an EC2 instance. Which action should be taken to ensure data at rest is encrypted?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable EBS encryption by default for the region and create a new encrypted volume
Option D is correct because you can enable EBS encryption by default for the region, which automatically encrypts new volumes. Option A is wrong because you cannot encrypt an existing volume directly; you must create a snapshot and restore. Option B is wrong because encryption at the application layer is not a storage encryption method. Option C is wrong because instance store volumes are not persistent and encryption is not managed by EBS.
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.
✗
Enable encryption on the existing EBS volume
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: You cannot enable encryption on an existing EBS volume directly.
✗
Use an instance store volume that supports encryption
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: Instance store volumes are not persistent and not encrypted by EBS.
✗
Encrypt the data at the application layer before writing to the volume
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: This is not an EBS encryption feature.
✓
Enable EBS encryption by default for the region and create a new encrypted volume
Why this is correct
Correct: Enabling EBS encryption by default encrypts new volumes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
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: Enable EBS encryption by default for the region and create a new encrypted volume — Option D is correct because you can enable EBS encryption by default for the region, which automatically encrypts new volumes. Option A is wrong because you cannot encrypt an existing volume directly; you must create a snapshot and restore. Option B is wrong because encryption at the application layer is not a storage encryption method. Option C is wrong because instance store volumes are not persistent and encryption is not managed by EBS.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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