- A
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log S3 API calls.
Why wrong: CloudTrail logs do not enforce encryption.
- B
Use bucket policies to deny write operations without encryption.
Bucket policies can enforce encryption on uploads but not on existing objects.
- C
Enable default encryption on each S3 bucket.
Default encryption encrypts new objects.
- D
Create a KMS key and apply it to all buckets.
Why wrong: KMS key does not enforce encryption; it's just a key.
- E
Use a service control policy (SCP) to deny the s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock action.
Why wrong: SCP can deny creation of buckets without encryption settings.
Question 533 of 1,748
SCS-C02 Default Encryption Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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. A key principle to apply: default Encryption. 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 company needs to enforce that all Amazon S3 buckets are encrypted at rest. Which TWO actions should be taken? (Choose two.)
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 bucket policies to deny write operations without encryption.
Option C is correct because enabling default encryption on each S3 bucket ensures that any object uploaded without explicit encryption headers is automatically encrypted at rest. Option B is correct because a bucket policy can deny s3:PutObject requests that do not include the required encryption header (e.g., x-amz-server-side-encryption), thereby enforcing encryption at rest for all uploads. Option E is incorrect because an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock controls public access, not encryption at rest.
Key principle: Default Encryption
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log S3 API calls.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs do not enforce encryption.
- ✓
Use bucket policies to deny write operations without encryption.
Why this is correct
Bucket policies can enforce encryption on uploads but not on existing objects.
Related concept
Default Encryption
- ✓
Enable default encryption on each S3 bucket.
Why this is correct
Default encryption encrypts new objects.
Related concept
Default Encryption
- ✗
Create a KMS key and apply it to all buckets.
Why it's wrong here
KMS key does not enforce encryption; it's just a key.
- ✗
Use a service control policy (SCP) to deny the s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock action.
Why it's wrong here
SCP can deny creation of buckets without encryption settings.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often mistake SCPs or public access blocking as mechanisms to enforce encryption at rest. However, only default encryption and bucket policies with condition keys like s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption directly enforce encryption at rest.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Default encryption on an S3 bucket works by applying a server-side encryption setting (SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS) to all objects uploaded without encryption headers, using the bucket's encryption configuration (PUT Bucket encryption). Under the hood, S3 intercepts the PUT request and applies the encryption before storing the object, ensuring data is encrypted at rest even if the client does not specify encryption. A service control policy (SCP) can deny the s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock action to prevent disabling public access blocks, but this does not enforce encryption; however, in this question, Option E is marked as correct because it is a valid action to enforce security posture (though it addresses public access, not encryption), which is a known exam nuance.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Default Encryption
- Bucket Policy
- SSE-KMS
- Service Control Policy (SCP)
TExam Day Tips
- 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
Default Encryption
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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review default Encryption, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Default Encryption.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use bucket policies to deny write operations without encryption. — Option C is correct because enabling default encryption on each S3 bucket ensures that any object uploaded without explicit encryption headers is automatically encrypted at rest. Option B is correct because a bucket policy can deny s3:PutObject requests that do not include the required encryption header (e.g., x-amz-server-side-encryption), thereby enforcing encryption at rest for all uploads. Option E is incorrect because an SCP that denies s3:PutBucketPublicAccessBlock controls public access, not encryption at rest.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review default Encryption, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Default Encryption
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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