The answer is that the aws:SourceIp condition key is not supported for IAM user policies; it should be used with IAM role trust policies. This is because the aws:SourceIp condition key is designed to evaluate the IP address of the principal making the request, but for IAM users, the source IP is often not reliably passed in the request context—it only works consistently with IAM role trust policies, where the role’s temporary credentials are tied to a specific network origin. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of the nuanced difference between IAM user policies and role trust policies, a common trap where candidates assume all condition keys work universally. Remember the memory tip: "Users are local, roles are remote"—source IP conditions only apply to the trust relationship of a role, not to a user’s direct permissions.
SCS-C02 Threat Detection and Incident Response Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of threat detection and incident response. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A security engineer is reviewing this IAM policy attached to an IAM user. The user reports being unable to download objects from the S3 bucket when connecting from a VPN with IP address 10.0.1.45. What is the most likely reason for the failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The aws:SourceIp condition key is not supported for IAM user policies; it should be used with IAM role trust policies.
Option D is correct because IAM policies do not support the aws:SourceIp condition key for IAM users; it only works for IAM roles. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because the policy syntax is valid for roles, the IP is in the range, and the action is allowed.
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.
✗
The policy does not include an Allow effect for s3:GetObject.
Why it's wrong here
The policy does include Allow.
✓
The aws:SourceIp condition key is not supported for IAM user policies; it should be used with IAM role trust policies.
Why this is correct
Condition keys like aws:SourceIp work only in the context of IAM roles, not user policies.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The source IP 10.0.1.45 is not within the allowed range 10.0.0.0/16.
Why it's wrong here
10.0.1.45 is within 10.0.0.0/16.
✗
The policy uses the wrong action name; it should be s3:GetObjectAcl.
Why it's wrong here
s3:GetObject is correct for downloading objects.
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.
Threat Detection and Incident Response — This question tests Threat Detection and Incident Response — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The aws:SourceIp condition key is not supported for IAM user policies; it should be used with IAM role trust policies. — Option D is correct because IAM policies do not support the aws:SourceIp condition key for IAM users; it only works for IAM roles. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because the policy syntax is valid for roles, the IP is in the range, and the action is allowed.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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