This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A KMS key policy is shown. An IAM role named 'DataProcessor' in account 123456789012 is trying to encrypt data using this key. The role also has an IAM policy that allows kms:Encrypt on the key. Will the encryption succeed?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Yes, because the key policy allows the role and the IAM policy also allows
Option B is correct because the KMS key policy explicitly allows the IAM role 'DataProcessor' to perform kms:Encrypt, and the role also has an IAM policy granting the same permission. In KMS, when both the key policy and an IAM policy grant access to a principal in the same account, the principal can perform the operation. Option A is incorrect because the IAM policy alone is not sufficient if the key policy does not grant access to the role. Option C is incorrect because no condition is required when the role is in the same account and the key policy already allows it. Option D is incorrect because the role is in the same account (123456789012) as the key, so inter-account authorization is not an issue.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Yes, because the IAM policy alone is sufficient
Why it's wrong here
IAM policy alone is not sufficient if the key policy denies.
✓
Yes, because the key policy allows the role and the IAM policy also allows
Why this is correct
Both policies grant permission.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
No, because the key policy must include a condition for the role
Why it's wrong here
No condition is needed.
✗
No, because the role is in a different account
Why it's wrong here
The role is in the same account as the key.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SCS-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Yes, because the key policy allows the role and the IAM policy also allows — Option B is correct because the KMS key policy explicitly allows the IAM role 'DataProcessor' to perform kms:Encrypt, and the role also has an IAM policy granting the same permission. In KMS, when both the key policy and an IAM policy grant access to a principal in the same account, the principal can perform the operation. Option A is incorrect because the IAM policy alone is not sufficient if the key policy does not grant access to the role. Option C is incorrect because no condition is required when the role is in the same account and the key policy already allows it. Option D is incorrect because the role is in the same account (123456789012) as the key, so inter-account authorization is not an issue.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SCS-C02 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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