- A
{"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*"}
Why wrong: Incorrect because it denies all PutObject requests regardless of encryption, which is too broad and would block even compliant uploads.
- B
{"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*","Condition":{"StringNotEquals":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption":"aws:kms"}}}
Correct because it denies uploads that do not specify 'aws:kms' for the server-side encryption header, ensuring all uploads use SSE-KMS as required.
- C
{"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*","Condition":{"StringNotEquals":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption":"AES256"}}}
Why wrong: Incorrect because it checks for 'AES256', which indicates SSE-S3, not SSE-KMS, so it would allow non-KMS encrypted uploads.
- D
{"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*","Condition":{"StringNotEquals":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption":"aws:kms"},"Null":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id":"true"}}}
Why wrong: Incorrect in this context because it adds an unnecessary requirement for a specific KMS key ID; the simpler policy in option B suffices to enforce SSE-KMS.
SCS-C02 SSE-KMS Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. 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: sSE-KMS. 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 stores sensitive customer data in an S3 bucket. The security team wants to ensure that all data is encrypted at rest using server-side encryption with AWS KMS (SSE-KMS). Which bucket policy statement should be added to deny uploads that do not use SSE-KMS?
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
{"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*","Condition":{"StringNotEquals":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption":"aws:kms"}}}
Option B is correct because it denies uploads that do not specify SSE-KMS by checking that the 's3:x-amz-server-side-encryption' condition key is not 'aws:kms'. This directly enforces the requirement that all uploads must use SSE-KMS without requiring a specific KMS key ID. Option D is overly restrictive by also requiring a non-null KMS key ID, which is not necessary to meet the stated requirement. Option A lacks any condition, denying all uploads regardless of encryption. Option C checks for 'AES256', which corresponds to SSE-S3, not SSE-KMS.
Key principle: SSE-KMS
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
{"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*"}
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because it denies all PutObject requests regardless of encryption, which is too broad and would block even compliant uploads.
- ✓
{"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*","Condition":{"StringNotEquals":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption":"aws:kms"}}}
Why this is correct
Correct because it denies uploads that do not specify 'aws:kms' for the server-side encryption header, ensuring all uploads use SSE-KMS as required.
Related concept
SSE-KMS
- ✗
{"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*","Condition":{"StringNotEquals":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption":"AES256"}}}
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because it checks for 'AES256', which indicates SSE-S3, not SSE-KMS, so it would allow non-KMS encrypted uploads.
- ✗
{"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*","Condition":{"StringNotEquals":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption":"aws:kms"},"Null":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id":"true"}}}
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect in this context because it adds an unnecessary requirement for a specific KMS key ID; the simpler policy in option B suffices to enforce SSE-KMS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SSE-KMS
- s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption
- s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id
- Bucket Policy
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
SSE-KMS
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 sSE-KMS, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Data Protection — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — SSE-KMS.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: {"Effect":"Deny","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:PutObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket-name/*","Condition":{"StringNotEquals":{"s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption":"aws:kms"}}} — Option B is correct because it denies uploads that do not specify SSE-KMS by checking that the 's3:x-amz-server-side-encryption' condition key is not 'aws:kms'. This directly enforces the requirement that all uploads must use SSE-KMS without requiring a specific KMS key ID. Option D is overly restrictive by also requiring a non-null KMS key ID, which is not necessary to meet the stated requirement. Option A lacks any condition, denying all uploads regardless of encryption. Option C checks for 'AES256', which corresponds to SSE-S3, not SSE-KMS.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review sSE-KMS, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
SSE-KMS
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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