- A
Enable default encryption on the S3 bucket using SSE-S3.
Default encryption only encrypts data at rest, not in transit.
- B
Enable S3 bucket default encryption using AES-256.
Why wrong: AES-256 encryption (SSE-S3) encrypts data at rest.
- C
Use AWS CloudHSM to generate and store encryption keys for S3.
Why wrong: CloudHSM is not required; SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS is sufficient for S3 encryption.
- D
Set up Kinesis Data Firehose to encrypt data before writing to S3.
Why wrong: Kinesis Firehose is not the standard way to enforce S3 encryption; bucket policies and default encryption are more direct.
- E
Configure a bucket policy that denies requests not using aws:SecureTransport.
This ensures all requests are made over HTTPS, enforcing encryption in transit.
Question 1,278 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 is designing a data protection strategy for a healthcare application that stores Protected Health Information (PHI) in an S3 bucket. The bucket is accessed by multiple AWS services, including Athena and SageMaker. Which TWO actions should the engineer take to ensure encryption at rest and in transit? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Enable default encryption on the S3 bucket using SSE-S3.
Option A is correct because enabling default encryption on the S3 bucket using SSE-S3 encrypts objects at rest. Option E is correct because a bucket policy condition denying requests without aws:SecureTransport enforces encryption in transit. Option B is incorrect because 'using AES-256' is ambiguous; AWS S3 default encryption requires choosing a specific method like SSE-S3, SSE-KMS, or SSE-C. Options C and D are not optimal for S3 encryption at rest.
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.
- ✓
Enable default encryption on the S3 bucket using SSE-S3.
Why this is correct
Default encryption only encrypts data at rest, not in transit.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Enable S3 bucket default encryption using AES-256.
Why it's wrong here
AES-256 encryption (SSE-S3) encrypts data at rest.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudHSM to generate and store encryption keys for S3.
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM is not required; SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS is sufficient for S3 encryption.
- ✗
Set up Kinesis Data Firehose to encrypt data before writing to S3.
Why it's wrong here
Kinesis Firehose is not the standard way to enforce S3 encryption; bucket policies and default encryption are more direct.
- ✓
Configure a bucket policy that denies requests not using aws:SecureTransport.
Why this is correct
This ensures all requests are made over HTTPS, enforcing encryption in transit.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
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.
- →
Data Protection — study guide chapter
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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: Enable default encryption on the S3 bucket using SSE-S3. — Option A is correct because enabling default encryption on the S3 bucket using SSE-S3 encrypts objects at rest. Option E is correct because a bucket policy condition denying requests without aws:SecureTransport enforces encryption in transit. Option B is incorrect because 'using AES-256' is ambiguous; AWS S3 default encryption requires choosing a specific method like SSE-S3, SSE-KMS, or SSE-C. Options C and D are not optimal for S3 encryption at rest.
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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