The correct action is to import the key material into a new KMS key and re-encrypt all objects using S3 Batch Operations. This works because the original key was created with imported key material, and while you cannot restore a deleted key ID, you can create a new KMS key and import the same cryptographic material, allowing the new key to decrypt the old ciphertext. However, since the new key has a different key ID, you must re-encrypt every object with the new key to restore access. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of KMS key deletion recovery and the critical distinction between key material and key metadata; a common trap is assuming you can restore a deleted key after the waiting period or recreate a specific key ID. Remember the memory tip: "Material is movable, ID is fixed—re-encrypt to get it mixed."
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 healthcare company stores sensitive patient data in Amazon S3. The security team has implemented a data protection strategy that includes S3 default encryption using SSE-KMS with a customer managed key. They also use S3 Object Lock to prevent deletion. Recently, an administrator accidentally deleted the KMS key used for encryption. As a result, all objects in the bucket are now inaccessible. The company has a backup of the key material but does not have the original key ID. Which action should the team take to restore access to the data?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Import the key material into a new KMS key and re-encrypt all objects using S3 Batch Operations.
Option C is correct because importing the same key material into a new KMS key with the same key ID is possible if the original key was created with imported key material. However, KMS does not allow you to recreate a key with a specific key ID; you must create a new key and re-encrypt the data. Option A is wrong because you cannot restore a deleted KMS key after the waiting period if it was deleted; you must have disabled it first. Option B is wrong because you cannot create a key with a specific key ID. Option D is wrong because you need the same key to decrypt; a new key cannot decrypt old data unless re-encryption is done.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the backup key material directly in an application to decrypt objects without KMS.
Why it's wrong here
Objects encrypted with KMS require KMS to decrypt; you cannot bypass KMS.
✓
Import the key material into a new KMS key and re-encrypt all objects using S3 Batch Operations.
Why this is correct
You can create a new key and re-encrypt objects, but you need the original key material to decrypt first.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Create a new KMS key with the same key ID using the backup material.
Why it's wrong here
KMS does not allow specifying a key ID during creation.
✗
Restore the deleted KMS key from the CloudHSM backup.
Why it's wrong here
Once deleted, a KMS key cannot be restored; you must have disabled it.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Import the key material into a new KMS key and re-encrypt all objects using S3 Batch Operations. — Option C is correct because importing the same key material into a new KMS key with the same key ID is possible if the original key was created with imported key material. However, KMS does not allow you to recreate a key with a specific key ID; you must create a new key and re-encrypt the data. Option A is wrong because you cannot restore a deleted KMS key after the waiting period if it was deleted; you must have disabled it first. Option B is wrong because you cannot create a key with a specific key ID. Option D is wrong because you need the same key to decrypt; a new key cannot decrypt old data unless re-encryption is done.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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