Quick Answer
The answer is SSE-S3, SSE-KMS, and SSE-C, as these are the three distinct server-side encryption options available in Amazon S3. Server-side encryption protects data at rest by encrypting objects before they are written to disk and decrypting them when accessed, with the key management responsibility varying by option: SSE-S3 uses S3-managed keys, SSE-KMS integrates with AWS Key Management Service for centralized control and audit trails, and SSE-C allows you to supply your own encryption keys while AWS handles the encryption process. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between encryption responsibilities and common traps, such as confusing client-side encryption (which happens before data reaches S3) or AWS CloudHSM (a hardware security module service, not an S3 encryption feature) with valid server-side options. A useful memory tip is to remember the three S’s: S3-managed, KMS-managed, and Customer-managed keys, which correspond directly to SSE-S3, SSE-KMS, and SSE-C.
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 company is storing sensitive data in Amazon S3. They want to ensure that all data is encrypted at rest using server-side encryption. Which THREE options are available for server-side encryption in S3? (Select THREE.)
Client-side encryption
Why wrong: This is performed before data reaches S3.
SSE-KMS
AWS KMS-managed keys.
SSE-S3
Amazon S3-managed keys.
SSE-C
Customer-provided keys.
AWS CloudHSM
Why wrong: CloudHSM is a service for generating and managing keys, not an S3 encryption option.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SSE-KMS
Options A, B, and C are correct. SSE-S3, SSE-KMS, and SSE-C are the three server-side encryption options. Option D is wrong because client-side encryption is not server-side. Option E is wrong because AWS CloudHSM is a service for hardware security modules, not an S3 encryption option.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Client-side encryption
Why it's wrong here
This is performed before data reaches S3.
SSE-KMS
Why this is correct
AWS KMS-managed keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SSE-S3
Why this is correct
Amazon S3-managed keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SSE-C
Why this is correct
Customer-provided keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS CloudHSM
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM is a service for generating and managing keys, not an S3 encryption option.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
Data Protection — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SSE-KMS — Options A, B, and C are correct. SSE-S3, SSE-KMS, and SSE-C are the three server-side encryption options. Option D is wrong because client-side encryption is not server-side. Option E is wrong because AWS CloudHSM is a service for hardware security modules, not an S3 encryption option.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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