Question 258 of 1,738
Infrastructure SecuritymediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is the bucket policy using the `aws:SourceVpce` condition key with the specific VPC endpoint ID. This works because the `aws:SourceVpce` condition key explicitly restricts access to traffic originating from a particular VPC endpoint, ensuring that only requests routed through that specific endpoint—and not any other endpoint or network path—can reach the S3 bucket. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of VPC endpoint policies versus bucket policies, and the common trap is confusing `aws:SourceVpc` (which allows any endpoint in the VPC) with `aws:SourceVpce` (which locks it to one endpoint). A key memory tip is to think “Vpce = endpoint-specific,” while “Vpc = whole VPC.” Remember, `aws:SourceIp` does not apply to VPC endpoint traffic, and `aws:VpcSourceIp` is not a valid key—so always look for the `SourceVpce` condition when the goal is to restrict an S3 bucket to a single VPC endpoint.

SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question

This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.

A company wants to restrict access to an S3 bucket so that only traffic from a specific VPC can read objects. The VPC has a VPC endpoint for S3 configured. Which policy should be attached to the bucket?

Question 1mediummultiple choice
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Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

{"Effect":"Allow","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:GetObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket/*","Condition":{"StringEquals":{"aws:SourceVpce":"vpce-11111111"}}}

Option C is correct because a VPC endpoint policy with aws:SourceVpce condition key restricts access to traffic coming through the specified VPC endpoint. Option A is wrong because aws:SourceVpc does not restrict to a specific endpoint. Option B is wrong because aws:SourceIp does not apply to VPC endpoint traffic. Option D is wrong because aws:VpcSourceIp is not a valid condition key for VPC endpoints.

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.

  • {"Effect":"Allow","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:GetObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket/*","Condition":{"StringEquals":{"aws:SourceVpce":"vpce-11111111"}}}

    Why this is correct

    This condition restricts access to traffic coming through the specified VPC endpoint.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • {"Effect":"Allow","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:GetObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket/*","Condition":{"StringEquals":{"aws:VpcSourceIp":"10.0.0.0/16"}}}

    Why it's wrong here

    aws:VpcSourceIp is not a valid condition key in S3 bucket policies.

  • {"Effect":"Allow","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:GetObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket/*","Condition":{"StringEquals":{"aws:SourceVpc":"vpc-12345678"}}}

    Why it's wrong here

    This uses aws:SourceVpc, which does not restrict to a specific VPC endpoint; it allows any request from within the VPC.

  • {"Effect":"Allow","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:GetObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket/*","Condition":{"IpAddress":{"aws:SourceIp":"10.0.0.0/16"}}}

    Why it's wrong here

    VPC endpoint traffic does not have a public IP; aws:SourceIp is not applicable.

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.

Related practice questions

Related SCS-C02 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this SCS-C02 question test?

Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: {"Effect":"Allow","Principal":"*","Action":"s3:GetObject","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::bucket/*","Condition":{"StringEquals":{"aws:SourceVpce":"vpce-11111111"}}} — Option C is correct because a VPC endpoint policy with aws:SourceVpce condition key restricts access to traffic coming through the specified VPC endpoint. Option A is wrong because aws:SourceVpc does not restrict to a specific endpoint. Option B is wrong because aws:SourceIp does not apply to VPC endpoint traffic. Option D is wrong because aws:VpcSourceIp is not a valid condition key for VPC endpoints.

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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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on SCS-C02

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. A company wants to restrict access to an S3 bucket so that only traffic from a specific VPC can read objects. Which security mechanism should be used?

easy
  • A.Use an S3 bucket policy with a condition that restricts access to the VPC endpoint ID.
  • B.Assign an IAM role to the S3 bucket.
  • C.Attach a security group to the S3 bucket.
  • D.Configure a network ACL on the VPC subnet to allow traffic to S3.

Why A: An S3 bucket policy with a condition that limits access to the VPC endpoint ID is the correct approach. Network ACLs do not apply to S3, security groups are not used for S3, and IAM roles alone cannot restrict by network path.

Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026

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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.