The correct answer is that the user will be denied access because the source IP is not in the allowed ranges. This outcome hinges on how IAM policy IP condition deny logic works: the policy explicitly allows the s3:GetObject action only when the request originates from either the 192.0.2.0/24 or 198.51.100.0/24 CIDR blocks. Since the user’s IP address 203.0.113.5 falls outside both ranges, the condition is not satisfied, and the default implicit deny takes effect—even though HTTPS is used. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that an Allow statement with a condition is not a blanket permit; all specified conditions must be met for the Allow to apply. A common trap is assuming HTTPS alone grants access or that a Deny statement is required to block traffic. Remember the mnemonic: “Condition not met? Access is set to reject.”
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.
Refer to the exhibit. An IAM policy is attached to a group. A user in the group accesses the S3 bucket from an IP address 203.0.113.5 using HTTPS. What will be the result?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The user will be denied access because the source IP is not in the allowed ranges.
Option D is correct. The policy allows only from 192.0.2.0/24 and 198.51.100.0/24. The user's IP 203.0.113.5 does not match, so access is denied even though HTTPS is used. Option A is wrong because the IP is not within allowed ranges. Option B is wrong because the condition is AND; all conditions must be met. Option C is wrong because the action is explicitly allowed only under conditions.
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 user will be denied access because the source IP is not in the allowed ranges.
Why this is correct
IP not in allowed ranges.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The user can access objects because an Allow with conditions grants access by default.
Why it's wrong here
Conditions must be satisfied.
✗
The user will be denied access because the policy does not allow the action explicitly.
Why it's wrong here
The policy does allow, but conditions fail.
✗
The user can access objects because the condition for SecureTransport is met.
Why it's wrong here
Both conditions must be met.
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.
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: The user will be denied access because the source IP is not in the allowed ranges. — Option D is correct. The policy allows only from 192.0.2.0/24 and 198.51.100.0/24. The user's IP 203.0.113.5 does not match, so access is denied even though HTTPS is used. Option A is wrong because the IP is not within allowed ranges. Option B is wrong because the condition is AND; all conditions must be met. Option C is wrong because the action is explicitly allowed only under conditions.
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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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.
Question Discussion
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