- A
Use Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager to create a snapshot and delete the volume after termination.
Why wrong: DLM can automate snapshot creation, but the snapshot is still encrypted with the original key. If the key is deleted, the snapshot becomes unrecoverable.
- B
Before termination, create a snapshot of the volume, copy the snapshot encrypted with a new KMS key, then delete the volume and the original snapshot after 90 days.
The snapshot copy with a new key ensures data is retained independently of the original volume and key.
- C
Disable the KMS key used to encrypt the volume, then terminate the instance.
Why wrong: Disabling the key prevents decryption, but if the volume is not deleted, it could be re-enabled. Also, snapshots may exist.
- D
Configure the EC2 instance with 'DeleteOnTermination' attribute set to true and enable termination protection.
Why wrong: This deletes the volume but does not retain any data.
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 company uses AWS KMS to encrypt EBS volumes attached to EC2 instances. The security team wants to ensure that when an EC2 instance is terminated, the associated EBS volume is automatically deleted and the data is unrecoverable. However, the team also needs to retain the volume's data for 90 days for compliance purposes. What is the most secure and cost-effective approach?
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
Before termination, create a snapshot of the volume, copy the snapshot encrypted with a new KMS key, then delete the volume and the original snapshot after 90 days.
The correct answer is B because it ensures both compliance retention and data unrecoverability. By creating a snapshot before termination, then copying it with a new KMS key, you maintain an encrypted copy that is independent of the original key. The original volume and snapshot can then be deleted after the retention period, ensuring the original data is unrecoverable. Option A is incorrect because Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager can create snapshots automatically, but it does not automatically re-encrypt them with a new key; without re-encryption, the snapshot remains accessible if the original key permissions allow it. Option C is incorrect because simply disabling the KMS key renders the volume inaccessible but does not guarantee data deletion; the encrypted data still exists and could be recovered if the key is re-enabled. Additionally, it prevents any further access to the data, including for compliance review. Option D is incorrect because setting DeleteOnTermination to true deletes the volume immediately upon termination, which prevents any data retention for 90 days.
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.
- ✗
Use Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager to create a snapshot and delete the volume after termination.
Why it's wrong here
DLM can automate snapshot creation, but the snapshot is still encrypted with the original key. If the key is deleted, the snapshot becomes unrecoverable.
- ✓
Before termination, create a snapshot of the volume, copy the snapshot encrypted with a new KMS key, then delete the volume and the original snapshot after 90 days.
Why this is correct
The snapshot copy with a new key ensures data is retained independently of the original volume and key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable the KMS key used to encrypt the volume, then terminate the instance.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the key prevents decryption, but if the volume is not deleted, it could be re-enabled. Also, snapshots may exist.
- ✗
Configure the EC2 instance with 'DeleteOnTermination' attribute set to true and enable termination protection.
Why it's wrong here
This deletes the volume but does not retain any data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Data Protection — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Before termination, create a snapshot of the volume, copy the snapshot encrypted with a new KMS key, then delete the volume and the original snapshot after 90 days. — The correct answer is B because it ensures both compliance retention and data unrecoverability. By creating a snapshot before termination, then copying it with a new KMS key, you maintain an encrypted copy that is independent of the original key. The original volume and snapshot can then be deleted after the retention period, ensuring the original data is unrecoverable. Option A is incorrect because Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager can create snapshots automatically, but it does not automatically re-encrypt them with a new key; without re-encryption, the snapshot remains accessible if the original key permissions allow it. Option C is incorrect because simply disabling the KMS key renders the volume inaccessible but does not guarantee data deletion; the encrypted data still exists and could be recovered if the key is re-enabled. Additionally, it prevents any further access to the data, including for compliance review. Option D is incorrect because setting DeleteOnTermination to true deletes the volume immediately upon termination, which prevents any data retention for 90 days.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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