This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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 restrict access to an S3 bucket so that only objects with specific tags can be accessed by a certain IAM role. Which THREE steps are required to implement this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Attach an IAM policy to the role that uses the s3:ExistingObjectTag condition.
Option A (Enable S3 object-level logging) is not required for access control. Option B (Create a bucket policy with a condition based on s3:ExistingObjectTag) is correct. Option C (Attach an IAM policy to the role with condition) is correct. Option D (Set S3 bucket policy to deny untagged objects) is correct. Option E (Use S3 inventory) is for reporting, not access control.
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 S3 Inventory to list objects and their tags.
Why it's wrong here
S3 Inventory is for reporting, not for access control.
✗
Enable S3 object-level logging in CloudTrail.
Why it's wrong here
Logging is not required for access control.
✓
Attach an IAM policy to the role that uses the s3:ExistingObjectTag condition.
Why this is correct
IAM policies can also use condition keys to restrict access based on tags.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✓
Create a bucket policy with a condition based on the s3:ExistingObjectTag key.
Why this is correct
Bucket policy can use condition keys to allow access only if object tags match.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✓
Set a bucket policy that denies access if the object does not have the required tag.
Why this is correct
A Deny statement with a condition ensures that untagged objects are blocked.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Attach an IAM policy to the role that uses the s3:ExistingObjectTag condition. — Option A (Enable S3 object-level logging) is not required for access control. Option B (Create a bucket policy with a condition based on s3:ExistingObjectTag) is correct. Option C (Attach an IAM policy to the role with condition) is correct. Option D (Set S3 bucket policy to deny untagged objects) is correct. Option E (Use S3 inventory) is for reporting, not access control.
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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Question Discussion
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