Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use a combination of the kms:ViaService and aws:SourceIp condition keys in your IAM policy. This works because kms:ViaService restricts the decryption request to only those made through the AWS S3 service, ensuring the developer cannot call the KMS Decrypt API directly from another tool, while aws:SourceIp limits the allowed client IP address range, creating a precise two-factor restriction. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to layer service-specific and network-based conditions to enforce least privilege, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose kms:EncryptionContext or kms:CallerAccount. A common memory tip is to think of "ViaService" as the "gateway" that forces the request through S3, and "SourceIp" as the "bouncer" that checks the client's address—together, they ensure only a developer from a trusted network can decrypt objects via S3.
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.
An organization uses AWS KMS to encrypt S3 objects. They want to allow a developer to decrypt objects only if the request comes from a specific IP address range. Which IAM policy condition should be used?
Condition with kms:GrantOperations and aws:SourceIp.
Why wrong: GrantOperations is for grants.
Condition with kms:CallerAccount and aws:SourceIp.
Why wrong: CallerAccount is for account, not IP.
Condition with kms:EncryptionContext and aws:SourceIp.
Why wrong: EncryptionContext is not for IP restriction.
Condition with kms:ViaService and aws:SourceIp.
kms:ViaService ensures the request comes through S3, and aws:SourceIp restricts the IP.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Condition with kms:ViaService and aws:SourceIp.
Option A is correct because kms:ViaService condition ensures the request goes through S3, and aws:SourceIp restricts IP. Option B is wrong because kms:EncryptionContext is for encryption context, not IP. Option C is wrong because kms:CallerAccount is for account, not IP. Option D is wrong because kms:GrantOperations is for grants, not IP.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Condition with kms:GrantOperations and aws:SourceIp.
Why it's wrong here
GrantOperations is for grants.
Condition with kms:CallerAccount and aws:SourceIp.
Why it's wrong here
CallerAccount is for account, not IP.
Condition with kms:EncryptionContext and aws:SourceIp.
Why it's wrong here
EncryptionContext is not for IP restriction.
Condition with kms:ViaService and aws:SourceIp.
Why this is correct
kms:ViaService ensures the request comes through S3, and aws:SourceIp restricts the IP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
Identity and Access Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Condition with kms:ViaService and aws:SourceIp. — Option A is correct because kms:ViaService condition ensures the request goes through S3, and aws:SourceIp restricts IP. Option B is wrong because kms:EncryptionContext is for encryption context, not IP. Option C is wrong because kms:CallerAccount is for account, not IP. Option D is wrong because kms:GrantOperations is for grants, not IP.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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