- A
Encrypt the data with a client-side tool before copying to Snowball Edge.
Why wrong: Client-side encryption is not required; Snowball Edge encrypts data automatically.
- B
Set up a VPN connection to AWS and transfer data over the VPN.
Why wrong: A VPN connection is not used with Snowball Edge; the device uses its own secure transfer method.
- C
Use AWS KMS to generate a key and apply it to the Snowball Edge device.
Why wrong: AWS KMS is not directly applied to Snowball Edge devices; the device generates and manages its own encryption keys.
- D
Use Snowball Edge with default encryption settings; data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
Correct. Snowball Edge encrypts data at rest with AES-256 and in transit with TLS.
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 is migrating on-premises data to AWS using AWS Snowball Edge. The data must be encrypted in transit and at rest. Which combination of steps should be taken?
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
Use Snowball Edge with default encryption settings; data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
Option D is correct because Snowball Edge automatically encrypts data at rest using AES-256 and uses TLS for data in transit. Option A is incorrect because client-side encryption is not required; Snowball Edge handles encryption automatically. Option B is incorrect because Snowball Edge transfers data via its own secure protocol, not VPN. Option C is incorrect because KMS is not directly used for Snowball encryption; the device manages its own encryption keys.
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.
- ✗
Encrypt the data with a client-side tool before copying to Snowball Edge.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is not required; Snowball Edge encrypts data automatically.
- ✗
Set up a VPN connection to AWS and transfer data over the VPN.
Why it's wrong here
A VPN connection is not used with Snowball Edge; the device uses its own secure transfer method.
- ✗
Use AWS KMS to generate a key and apply it to the Snowball Edge device.
Why it's wrong here
AWS KMS is not directly applied to Snowball Edge devices; the device generates and manages its own encryption keys.
- ✓
Use Snowball Edge with default encryption settings; data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
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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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: Use Snowball Edge with default encryption settings; data is encrypted at rest and in transit. — Option D is correct because Snowball Edge automatically encrypts data at rest using AES-256 and uses TLS for data in transit. Option A is incorrect because client-side encryption is not required; Snowball Edge handles encryption automatically. Option B is incorrect because Snowball Edge transfers data via its own secure protocol, not VPN. Option C is incorrect because KMS is not directly used for Snowball encryption; the device manages its own encryption keys.
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
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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