- A
Deny with NotPrincipal
Why wrong: NotPrincipal is for specifying who is not allowed, not for encryption enforcement.
- B
Deny with condition StringNotEquals for s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption
This denies uploads that do not have the required encryption header.
- C
Deny on s3:PutObjectAcl
Why wrong: PutObjectAcl is for changing permissions, not for encryption.
- D
Allow with condition StringEquals for s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption
Why wrong: Allow does not deny non-compliant requests; other policies might still allow.
Question 728 of 1,748
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.
A security engineer needs to ensure that all data in an S3 bucket is encrypted at rest using AWS KMS. The bucket policy must deny any PutObject request that does not include the x-amz-server-side-encryption header with value aws:kms. Which bucket policy element should be used?
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
✓
Deny with condition StringNotEquals for s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption
The correct answer is B. To enforce encryption at rest with KMS, a bucket policy should use a Deny effect on s3:PutObject with a condition that the s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not equal to aws:kms (using StringNotEquals). This denies any PutObject request that does not specify the required encryption. Option A is incorrect because NotPrincipal is used for denying specific principals, not for enforcing conditions. Option C is incorrect because s3:PutObjectAcl is used for setting ACLs, not encryption. Option D is incorrect because an Allow with StringEquals would only allow requests with the correct header, but would not deny requests without it; a Deny is needed to explicitly block noncompliant requests.
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.
- ✗
Deny with NotPrincipal
Why it's wrong here
NotPrincipal is for specifying who is not allowed, not for encryption enforcement.
- ✓
Deny with condition StringNotEquals for s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption
Why this is correct
This denies uploads that do not have the required encryption header.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Deny on s3:PutObjectAcl
Why it's wrong here
PutObjectAcl is for changing permissions, not for encryption.
- ✗
Allow with condition StringEquals for s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption
Why it's wrong here
Allow does not deny non-compliant requests; other policies might still allow.
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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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.
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Data Protection — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Data Protection practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deny with condition StringNotEquals for s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption — The correct answer is B. To enforce encryption at rest with KMS, a bucket policy should use a Deny effect on s3:PutObject with a condition that the s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption header is not equal to aws:kms (using StringNotEquals). This denies any PutObject request that does not specify the required encryption. Option A is incorrect because NotPrincipal is used for denying specific principals, not for enforcing conditions. Option C is incorrect because s3:PutObjectAcl is used for setting ACLs, not encryption. Option D is incorrect because an Allow with StringEquals would only allow requests with the correct header, but would not deny requests without it; a Deny is needed to explicitly block noncompliant requests.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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