Quick Answer
The correct answer is aws:SecureTransport, because this condition key explicitly enforces HTTPS connections to S3 by checking whether the request was sent over SSL/TLS. When set to “true,” it denies any HTTP request, ensuring encrypted transport regardless of how the bucket is accessed. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish transport-layer encryption from data-at-rest encryption—a common trap is confusing aws:SecureTransport with s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption, which only controls object encryption headers, not the connection itself. Another frequent distractor is aws:SourceIp, which filters by IP address and has nothing to do with encryption. To remember it, think “SecureTransport secures the trip” — it protects data while it’s moving, not while it’s stored.
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. 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 auditing an S3 bucket policy that allows cross-account access. The engineer wants to ensure that only encrypted connections are permitted. Which condition should be added to the policy?
aws:SourceIp
Why wrong: Controls IP address, not transport encryption.
aws:Referer
Why wrong: Controls HTTP referer, not encryption.
aws:SecureTransport
Enforces HTTPS connections.
s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption
Why wrong: Controls server-side encryption, not transport security.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
aws:SecureTransport
Option C is correct because aws:SecureTransport is the condition key that enforces HTTPS. Option A is wrong because aws:SourceIp controls IP addresses, not encryption. Option B is wrong because s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption controls server-side encryption headers, not transport encryption. Option D is wrong because aws:Referer controls referrer headers.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
aws:SourceIp
Why it's wrong here
Controls IP address, not transport encryption.
aws:Referer
Why it's wrong here
Controls HTTP referer, not encryption.
aws:SecureTransport
Why this is correct
Enforces HTTPS connections.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption
Why it's wrong here
Controls server-side encryption, not transport security.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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
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
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.
Management and Security Governance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: aws:SecureTransport — Option C is correct because aws:SecureTransport is the condition key that enforces HTTPS. Option A is wrong because aws:SourceIp controls IP addresses, not encryption. Option B is wrong because s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption controls server-side encryption headers, not transport encryption. Option D is wrong because aws:Referer controls referrer headers.
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.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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