- A
SSL/TLS
Why wrong: SSL/TLS encrypts data in transit, not at rest.
- B
Client-side encryption
Why wrong: Client-side encryption is performed by the client, not an AWS service.
- C
SSE-KMS
AWS KMS provides managed keys for encryption.
- D
SSE-S3
S3-managed keys encrypt data at rest.
- E
AWS Shield
Why wrong: AWS Shield is a DDoS protection service.
Question 880 of 1,748
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.
Which TWO AWS services can be used to encrypt data at rest in an Amazon S3 bucket? (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
✓
SSE-KMS
SSE-KMS (Server-Side Encryption with AWS KMS) is correct because it allows you to encrypt data at rest in S3 using AWS Key Management Service, providing separate permissions for the use of a customer master key (CMK) and audit trails via AWS CloudTrail. SSE-S3 (Server-Side Encryption with S3-Managed Keys) is correct because it uses S3's native, fully managed encryption with AES-256 to encrypt data at rest without requiring you to manage keys. Both options directly encrypt objects stored in S3 buckets.
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.
- ✗
SSL/TLS
- ✗
Client-side encryption
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is performed by the client, not an AWS service.
- ✓
SSE-KMS
Why this is correct
AWS KMS provides managed keys for encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
SSE-S3
Why this is correct
S3-managed keys encrypt data at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
AWS Shield
Why it's wrong here
AWS Shield is a DDoS protection service.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse encryption in transit (SSL/TLS) or client-side encryption with server-side encryption at rest, leading them to select SSL/TLS or client-side encryption instead of the correct SSE options.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSE-KMS integrates with AWS KMS to provide envelope encryption, where a CMK encrypts a data key that then encrypts the object, allowing key rotation and fine-grained access control via IAM policies. SSE-S3 uses a unique, randomly generated AES-256 key per object, which is itself encrypted with a master key that S3 rotates regularly, but it lacks separate audit trails for key usage. A real-world scenario: SSE-KMS is required when you need to enforce encryption with a specific CMK for compliance (e.g., PCI DSS) or track key usage, while SSE-S3 is simpler for general-purpose encryption without key management overhead.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: SSE-KMS — SSE-KMS (Server-Side Encryption with AWS KMS) is correct because it allows you to encrypt data at rest in S3 using AWS Key Management Service, providing separate permissions for the use of a customer master key (CMK) and audit trails via AWS CloudTrail. SSE-S3 (Server-Side Encryption with S3-Managed Keys) is correct because it uses S3's native, fully managed encryption with AES-256 to encrypt data at rest without requiring you to manage keys. Both options directly encrypt objects stored in S3 buckets.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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