The correct answer is that the policy denies all PutObject requests that do not specify SSE-KMS. This works because the bucket policy contains two conditional deny statements: the first blocks uploads where the `x-amz-server-side-encryption` header is present but set to anything other than `aws:kms`, and the second blocks uploads where that encryption header is entirely absent or null. Together, they enforce that every PutObject must include the header with the exact value `aws:kms`, effectively mandating SSE-KMS encryption for all objects written to the bucket. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret S3 bucket policy conditions that combine a specific-value check with a null check, a common pattern for enforcing encryption requirements. A frequent trap is assuming that a single condition is enough, but the exam expects you to recognize that both conditions are needed to cover cases where the header is missing versus present but wrong. Memory tip: think of it as a double lock—one denies the wrong key, the other denies no key at all.
SCS-C02 Data Protection 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. 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. An administrator applies this bucket policy to an S3 bucket. Which of the following statements describes the effect of this policy?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy denies all PutObject requests that do not specify SSE-KMS.
Option B is correct. The first statement denies PutObject if the encryption header is not 'aws:kms'. The second statement denies PutObject if the encryption header is null (absent). Together, they enforce that all uploads must use SSE-KMS. Option A is wrong because the policy does not allow unencrypted uploads. Option C is wrong because the policy does not allow SSE-S3. Option D is wrong because the policy does not allow 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.
✓
The policy denies all PutObject requests that do not specify SSE-KMS.
Why this is correct
Both statements ensure that only SSE-KMS uploads succeed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The policy allows uploads without encryption but denies uploads with SSE-KMS.
Why it's wrong here
The policy denies unencrypted uploads.
✗
The policy allows unencrypted uploads but denies uploads with SSE-KMS.
Why it's wrong here
The policy denies unencrypted uploads and requires SSE-KMS.
✗
The policy allows uploads with SSE-S3 but denies uploads with SSE-KMS.
Why it's wrong here
The policy requires 'aws:kms', not 'AES256'.
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
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.
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.
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy denies all PutObject requests that do not specify SSE-KMS. — Option B is correct. The first statement denies PutObject if the encryption header is not 'aws:kms'. The second statement denies PutObject if the encryption header is null (absent). Together, they enforce that all uploads must use SSE-KMS. Option A is wrong because the policy does not allow unencrypted uploads. Option C is wrong because the policy does not allow SSE-S3. Option D is wrong because the policy does not allow 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Refer to the exhibit. An S3 bucket policy is shown. An administrator uploads an object to 'example-bucket' without specifying any encryption header. What is the outcome?
medium
✓ A.The upload fails with an Access Denied error
B.The object is uploaded and encrypted with the bucket's default encryption settings
C.The object is encrypted with SSE-KMS automatically
D.The object is uploaded without encryption
Why A: Option B is correct because the condition denies uploads if the encryption header is not 'AES256'. Since no header is specified, the condition evaluates to 'StringNotEquals' true, and the request is denied. Option A is wrong because the upload fails. Option C is wrong because SSE-KMS is not mentioned. Option D is wrong because the condition checks the header, not the bucket default encryption.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
Question Discussion
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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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