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Question 1,384 of 1,738

Data Protection →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct approach is to use KMS GenerateDataKey to obtain both a plaintext data key and an encrypted data key, then cache the plaintext key in memory for offline decryption. This works because envelope encryption creates a key hierarchy where the data key encrypts local data, and the master key in AWS KMS protects only the data key itself. By caching the plaintext data key, the application can decrypt locally without calling KMS, handling temporary connectivity loss. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to balance security with availability—the common trap is assuming you must always call KMS for decryption, which would break offline access. Remember that the encrypted data key can be stored alongside the ciphertext, but the plaintext key must be cached securely in memory. Memory tip: “Cache the key, decrypt offline—KMS is just the key guardian, not the gatekeeper.”

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 security engineer is designing a data encryption solution for a multi-region application that uses Amazon S3. The solution must use envelope encryption with a key hierarchy that allows the application to encrypt data locally using a data key, while the data key is protected by a master key stored in AWS KMS. The application should be able to decrypt data even if connectivity to AWS KMS is temporarily lost. Which approach meets these requirements?

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Full question →

A
Use the KMS GenerateDataKey API to get a plaintext data key and encrypted data key. Store both; for decryption, call KMS Decrypt to get the plaintext key.
Why wrong: Requires KMS for each decryption; fails if KMS is unavailable.
B
Use KMS GenerateDataKeyWithoutPlaintext to get only the encrypted data key. Store it; for decryption, call KMS Decrypt.
Why wrong: No caching; requires KMS for decryption.
C
Use an AWS managed key to encrypt data directly without a data key.
Why wrong: Not envelope encryption; cannot encrypt locally.
D
Use KMS GenerateDataKey to obtain a plaintext data key and encrypted data key. Cache the plaintext key in memory; for decryption, use the cached key. If cache miss, call KMS Decrypt.
Caching allows decryption without KMS; meets requirement.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Use KMS GenerateDataKey to obtain a plaintext data key and encrypted data key. Cache the plaintext key in memory; for decryption, use the cached key. If cache miss, call KMS Decrypt.

Option D is correct because by caching the plaintext data key, the application can decrypt locally without calling KMS. Option A would require KMS for decryption. Option B does not allow decryption without KMS. Option C uses the wrong key type.

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.

✗
Use the KMS GenerateDataKey API to get a plaintext data key and encrypted data key. Store both; for decryption, call KMS Decrypt to get the plaintext key.
Why it's wrong here
Requires KMS for each decryption; fails if KMS is unavailable.
✗
Use KMS GenerateDataKeyWithoutPlaintext to get only the encrypted data key. Store it; for decryption, call KMS Decrypt.
Why it's wrong here
No caching; requires KMS for decryption.
✗
Use an AWS managed key to encrypt data directly without a data key.
Why it's wrong here
Not envelope encryption; cannot encrypt locally.
✓
Use KMS GenerateDataKey to obtain a plaintext data key and encrypted data key. Cache the plaintext key in memory; for decryption, use the cached key. If cache miss, call KMS Decrypt.
Why this is correct
Caching allows decryption without KMS; meets requirement.
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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this SCS-C02 question test?

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: Use KMS GenerateDataKey to obtain a plaintext data key and encrypted data key. Cache the plaintext key in memory; for decryption, use the cached key. If cache miss, call KMS Decrypt. — Option D is correct because by caching the plaintext data key, the application can decrypt locally without calling KMS. Option A would require KMS for decryption. Option B does not allow decryption without KMS. Option C uses the wrong key type.

What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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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.