The correct answer is to create a VPC endpoint for Amazon S3 and apply an S3 bucket policy with the aws:SourceVpc condition. This works because the VPC endpoint provides a private, direct connection between your VPC and S3, bypassing the public internet, while the aws:SourceVpc condition in the bucket policy explicitly denies any request that does not originate from the specified VPC ID, ensuring only traffic from that private network can download objects. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of combining network-level controls with resource-based policies to enforce least privilege; a common trap is confusing aws:SourceVpc with aws:SourceIp or assuming a NAT gateway or internet gateway alone can restrict access. Memory tip: think “VPC endpoint for the pipe, SourceVpc for the lock”—the endpoint creates the private path, and the policy condition locks it to your VPC.
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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.
A company wants to restrict access to an S3 bucket so that only traffic from a specific VPC can download objects. Which combination of actions should the company take? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an S3 bucket policy that allows access only from the VPC using the aws:SourceVpc condition.
Option A (S3 bucket policy with aws:SourceVpc condition) and Option C (VPC endpoint for S3) are correct. The bucket policy with the aws:SourceVpc condition restricts access to requests originating from the specified VPC, and the VPC endpoint allows private connectivity to S3 from that VPC. Option B (Internet gateway) would allow public access. Option D (NAT gateway) is for outbound traffic. Option E (Security group on S3) is not applicable.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Attach an Internet gateway to the VPC and route traffic through it.
Why it's wrong here
This would allow public internet access, not restrict to the VPC.
✗
Attach a security group to the S3 bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups cannot be attached to S3 buckets.
✓
Create an S3 bucket policy that allows access only from the VPC using the aws:SourceVpc condition.
Why this is correct
This restricts access to the specified VPC.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Create a NAT gateway in the VPC for outbound traffic.
Why it's wrong here
This is for outbound internet access, not for restricting S3 access.
✓
Create a VPC endpoint for Amazon S3 in the VPC.
Why this is correct
This enables private connectivity to S3 from the VPC.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an S3 bucket policy that allows access only from the VPC using the aws:SourceVpc condition. — Option A (S3 bucket policy with aws:SourceVpc condition) and Option C (VPC endpoint for S3) are correct. The bucket policy with the aws:SourceVpc condition restricts access to requests originating from the specified VPC, and the VPC endpoint allows private connectivity to S3 from that VPC. Option B (Internet gateway) would allow public access. Option D (NAT gateway) is for outbound traffic. Option E (Security group on S3) is not applicable.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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