The answer is to specify the BucketEncryption property in the CloudFormation template, combined with an AWS Config rule to detect unencrypted buckets and a service control policy (SCP) to deny creation of unencrypted buckets. This three-layer approach enforces S3 encryption at rest by embedding the encryption requirement directly into the infrastructure-as-code definition, while Config provides ongoing compliance monitoring and the SCP acts as a preventive guardrail at the organizational level. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of defense-in-depth for encryption enforcement, often appearing as a multi-select scenario where you must distinguish between preventive controls (template properties and SCPs) and detective controls (Config rules). A common trap is choosing IAM roles, which grant permissions but do not enforce encryption, or template parameters, which only suggest encryption rather than require it. Memory tip: think "Template, Config, SCP" as the three pillars—build it right, check it stays right, and block wrong creation.
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 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. Using AWS Config rules can detect unencrypted buckets. A service control policy (SCP) can deny creation of unencrypted buckets. The CloudFormation template can also specify encryption. Option B is wrong because IAM roles do not enforce encryption. Option E is wrong because it only applies to the template, not enforcement.
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.
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.
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. Using AWS Config rules can detect unencrypted buckets. A service control policy (SCP) can deny creation of unencrypted buckets. The CloudFormation template can also specify encryption. Option B is wrong because IAM roles do not enforce encryption. Option E is wrong because it only applies to the template, not enforcement.
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.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company uses AWS CloudFormation to deploy infrastructure. The security team wants to ensure that all S3 buckets created by CloudFormation have encryption enabled by default. Which TWO approaches can achieve this?
medium
✓ A.Create an AWS Config rule that checks for S3 bucket encryption and auto-remediates
B.Enable S3 Block Public Access at the account level
C.Attach a service control policy (SCP) to the root OU that denies S3 bucket creation without encryption
D.Attach an IAM role to the CloudFormation service that grants permissions to encrypt buckets
✓ E.Use a CloudFormation stack policy to deny creation of S3 buckets without encryption
Why A: Options B and D are correct. A CloudFormation Stack Policy (B) can enforce encryption settings. AWS Config rules (D) can detect and remediate non-compliant buckets. Option A is wrong because S3 Block Public Access does not enforce encryption. Option C is wrong because SCPs apply to accounts, not CloudFormation stacks. Option E is wrong because IAM roles do not enforce encryption on S3 buckets.
Variation 2. A company is using AWS CloudFormation to deploy infrastructure. The security team wants to ensure that all Amazon S3 buckets created by CloudFormation are encrypted by default. Which approach should be taken?
medium
A.Configure an IAM policy that requires all S3 operations to use encryption.
B.Set a bucket policy in the CloudFormation template that denies all actions unless encryption is enabled.
C.Enable AWS Config rule s3-bucket-server-side-encryption-enabled to enforce encryption.
✓ D.Use a bucket policy with a condition that denies s3:PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not present.
Why D: Option B is correct because adding a bucket policy that denies PutObject if encryption is not set enforces encryption at the object level. Option A is wrong because CloudFormation does not have a global bucket policy setting. Option C is wrong because S3 default encryption is set on individual buckets, not globally via IAM. Option D is wrong because enabling AWS Config rules only detects non-compliance; it does not enforce encryption.
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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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