- A
Attach an IAM policy to the IAM user in Account A granting s3:GetObject on the bucket.
The IAM user needs a permissions policy that allows the action; the resource-based policy allows from the account, but the user still needs explicit allow.
- B
Create a cross-account role in Account B and have the user assume it.
Why wrong: This is another valid method but not the only additional step; the question asks for the step required given the bucket policy already exists.
- C
Attach the bucket policy to the IAM user in Account A.
Why wrong: Bucket policies are attached to S3 buckets, not IAM users.
- D
Create an S3 access point in Account B and grant the IAM user access.
Why wrong: Access points are not required; the bucket policy already grants access to the account.
SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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 security engineer needs to grant an IAM user in Account A (111111111111) access to an S3 bucket in Account B (222222222222). The bucket policy in Account B allows cross-account access from Account A. Which additional step is required?
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
Attach an IAM policy to the IAM user in Account A granting s3:GetObject on the bucket.
Option B is correct because cross-account access requires both a resource-based policy (bucket policy) and a permissions policy in the requesting account. Option A is wrong because you cannot attach a bucket policy to a user. Option C is wrong because S3 access points are not required. Option D is wrong because cross-account roles are an alternative, but the IAM user policy is the standard approach when using resource-based policies.
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.
- ✓
Attach an IAM policy to the IAM user in Account A granting s3:GetObject on the bucket.
Why this is correct
The IAM user needs a permissions policy that allows the action; the resource-based policy allows from the account, but the user still needs explicit allow.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Create a cross-account role in Account B and have the user assume it.
Why it's wrong here
This is another valid method but not the only additional step; the question asks for the step required given the bucket policy already exists.
- ✗
Attach the bucket policy to the IAM user in Account A.
Why it's wrong here
Bucket policies are attached to S3 buckets, not IAM users.
- ✗
Create an S3 access point in Account B and grant the IAM user access.
Why it's wrong here
Access points are not required; the bucket policy already grants access to the account.
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.
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Identity and Access Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Attach an IAM policy to the IAM user in Account A granting s3:GetObject on the bucket. — Option B is correct because cross-account access requires both a resource-based policy (bucket policy) and a permissions policy in the requesting account. Option A is wrong because you cannot attach a bucket policy to a user. Option C is wrong because S3 access points are not required. Option D is wrong because cross-account roles are an alternative, but the IAM user policy is the standard approach when using resource-based policies.
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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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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