- A
Create an AWS Config rule to check for unencrypted S3 buckets.
Detects non-compliance.
- B
Use a CloudFormation stack policy to prevent updates that remove encryption.
Why wrong: Stack policies protect against updates, not initial creation.
- C
Create a service control policy (SCP) that denies creation of S3 buckets without encryption.
Prevents creation of unencrypted buckets.
- D
In the CloudFormation template, specify the BucketEncryption property for each S3 bucket.
Ensures encryption at provisioning.
- E
Create an IAM role that only allows creation of encrypted buckets.
Why wrong: IAM roles do not enforce resource configurations.
Question 1,283 of 1,748
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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 company is using AWS CloudFormation to deploy infrastructure. The security team wants to ensure that all S3 buckets created by CloudFormation are encrypted at rest. Which THREE configuration steps should be taken?
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
✓
Create an AWS Config rule to check for unencrypted S3 buckets.
Options A, C, and D are correct. AWS Config rules can detect unencrypted S3 buckets and trigger remediation. Service control policies (SCPs) can deny the creation of S3 buckets without encryption at the organizational level. In CloudFormation templates, specifying the BucketEncryption property ensures encryption is configured at deployment time. Option B is incorrect because a CloudFormation stack policy only prevents updates to existing stacks but does not enforce encryption during initial creation. Option E is incorrect because an IAM role can restrict permissions but does not enforce encryption directly on S3 buckets created by CloudFormation.
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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create an AWS Config rule to check for unencrypted S3 buckets.
Why this is correct
Detects non-compliance.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Use a CloudFormation stack policy to prevent updates that remove encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Stack policies protect against updates, not initial creation.
- ✓
Create a service control policy (SCP) that denies creation of S3 buckets without encryption.
Why this is correct
Prevents creation of unencrypted buckets.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✓
In the CloudFormation template, specify the BucketEncryption property for each S3 bucket.
Why this is correct
Ensures encryption at provisioning.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Create an IAM role that only allows creation of encrypted buckets.
Why it's wrong here
IAM roles do not enforce resource configurations.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
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
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 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.
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Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an AWS Config rule to check for unencrypted S3 buckets. — Options A, C, and D are correct. AWS Config rules can detect unencrypted S3 buckets and trigger remediation. Service control policies (SCPs) can deny the creation of S3 buckets without encryption at the organizational level. In CloudFormation templates, specifying the BucketEncryption property ensures encryption is configured at deployment time. Option B is incorrect because a CloudFormation stack policy only prevents updates to existing stacks but does not enforce encryption during initial creation. Option E is incorrect because an IAM role can restrict permissions but does not enforce encryption directly on S3 buckets created by CloudFormation.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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