The answer is that no additional configuration is required, because Lambda uses HTTPS by default when calling S3. This is the correct choice because SSE-S3 handles encryption at rest automatically on the server side, and Lambda’s SDK always communicates with S3 over HTTPS, which provides encryption in transit without any extra setup. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding that Lambda processing S3 SSE-S3 encrypted objects does not require KMS permissions or bucket policy changes for end-to-end encryption; a common trap is assuming you must enforce HTTPS via a bucket policy or call KMS, but Lambda’s default HTTPS connection already secures the data in motion. Remember the memory tip: “Lambda loves HTTPS by default — no extra config for SSE-S3.”
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 startup is building a serverless application using AWS Lambda to process user-uploaded images. The images are stored in an S3 bucket with server-side encryption (SSE-S3) enabled. The Lambda function reads the images, performs transformations, and writes the results to a different S3 bucket. The security engineer wants to ensure that data is encrypted at rest and in transit throughout the pipeline. The Lambda function is configured with an IAM role that has permissions to read from the source bucket and write to the destination bucket. Which additional configuration is REQUIRED to ensure end-to-end encryption?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
No additional configuration is required; Lambda uses HTTPS by default to call S3.
Option A is correct because Lambda functions use HTTPS endpoints by default when calling S3 API operations. Option B is wrong because Lambda does not need to call KMS; SSE-S3 is server-side and Lambda can read encrypted objects without additional permissions. Option C is wrong because Lambda already uses HTTPS to communicate with S3. Option D is wrong because while an S3 bucket policy can enforce HTTPS, it is not required for end-to-end encryption; Lambda's default HTTPS connection already provides encryption in transit.
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.
✗
Add a bucket policy to the source bucket that denies requests not using aws:SecureTransport.
Why it's wrong here
While this enforces HTTPS, it is not required because Lambda already uses HTTPS by default.
✓
No additional configuration is required; Lambda uses HTTPS by default to call S3.
Why this is correct
Lambda's SDK uses HTTPS endpoints, ensuring encryption in transit. SSE-S3 provides encryption at rest.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Grant the Lambda function's IAM role permission to call KMS Decrypt and Encrypt.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 does not use KMS; the Lambda function can read SSE-S3 encrypted objects without KMS permissions.
✗
Enable VPC endpoints for S3 and configure Lambda to use them.
Why it's wrong here
VPC endpoints are not required for encryption; they are used for private connectivity.
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: No additional configuration is required; Lambda uses HTTPS by default to call S3. — Option A is correct because Lambda functions use HTTPS endpoints by default when calling S3 API operations. Option B is wrong because Lambda does not need to call KMS; SSE-S3 is server-side and Lambda can read encrypted objects without additional permissions. Option C is wrong because Lambda already uses HTTPS to communicate with S3. Option D is wrong because while an S3 bucket policy can enforce HTTPS, it is not required for end-to-end encryption; Lambda's default HTTPS connection already provides encryption in transit.
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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