- A
Use an S3 bucket policy that requires the x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id header to match a specific KMS key.
Why wrong: While more restrictive, this does not enforce the use of SSE-KMS; an object could be encrypted with SSE-S3 and still include a KMS key ID header, causing confusion.
- B
Use an S3 bucket policy with a condition that requires the x-amz-server-side-encryption header to be present.
Why wrong: This condition alone does not enforce a specific encryption method; it only requires the header to be present.
- C
Configure the bucket's default encryption to use SSE-KMS.
Why wrong: Default encryption only applies when no encryption header is provided; it does not deny uploads with other encryption or without encryption.
- D
Use an S3 bucket policy with a condition that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set to 'aws:kms'.
This policy denies uploads that do not use SSE-KMS, effectively enforcing the requirement.
SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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 company has an S3 bucket that contains sensitive data. The security team wants to ensure that all objects uploaded to the bucket are encrypted at rest using server-side encryption with AWS KMS (SSE-KMS). What should the security team do to enforce this requirement?
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 an S3 bucket policy with a condition that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set to 'aws:kms'.
Option D is correct because an S3 bucket policy with a condition that denies PutObject requests unless the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is set to 'aws:kms' ensures that only objects encrypted with SSE-KMS can be uploaded. Option A is incorrect because requiring a specific KMS key ID is not necessary; the policy should enforce the use of SSE-KMS, not a specific key. Option B is incorrect because requiring the header to be present does not enforce SSE-KMS; it could be 'AES256' for SSE-S3. Option C is incorrect because default encryption only encrypts objects that lack encryption headers; it does not prevent uploads that specify SSE-S3 or no encryption.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use an S3 bucket policy that requires the x-amz-server-side-encryption-aws-kms-key-id header to match a specific KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
While more restrictive, this does not enforce the use of SSE-KMS; an object could be encrypted with SSE-S3 and still include a KMS key ID header, causing confusion.
- ✗
Use an S3 bucket policy with a condition that requires the x-amz-server-side-encryption header to be present.
Why it's wrong here
This condition alone does not enforce a specific encryption method; it only requires the header to be present.
- ✗
Configure the bucket's default encryption to use SSE-KMS.
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption only applies when no encryption header is provided; it does not deny uploads with other encryption or without encryption.
- ✓
Use an S3 bucket policy with a condition that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set to 'aws:kms'.
Why this is correct
This policy denies uploads that do not use SSE-KMS, effectively enforcing the requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
While more restrictive, this does not enforce the use of SSE-KMS; an object could be encrypted with SSE-S3 and still include a KMS key ID header, causing confusion.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Identity and Access Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an S3 bucket policy with a condition that denies PutObject if the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not set to 'aws:kms'. — Option D is correct because an S3 bucket policy with a condition that denies PutObject requests unless the x-amz-server-side-encryption header is set to 'aws:kms' ensures that only objects encrypted with SSE-KMS can be uploaded. Option A is incorrect because requiring a specific KMS key ID is not necessary; the policy should enforce the use of SSE-KMS, not a specific key. Option B is incorrect because requiring the header to be present does not enforce SSE-KMS; it could be 'AES256' for SSE-S3. Option C is incorrect because default encryption only encrypts objects that lack encryption headers; it does not prevent uploads that specify SSE-S3 or no encryption.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SCS-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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