- A
The source queue's SSE is configured with AWS managed KMS key, which does not support cross-account DLQ.
Why wrong: SSE is enabled on the source queue; the DLQ is separate.
- B
The DLQ does not have SSE enabled, so messages are stored in plaintext.
If the DLQ does not have SSE, messages will be stored unencrypted.
- C
The source queue's SSE configuration uses a different KMS key than the DLQ, causing decryption failure.
Why wrong: SQS decrypts the message before moving; it does not need to re-encrypt with the same key.
- D
The KMS key policy does not allow the SQS service to decrypt the messages before moving them to the DLQ.
Why wrong: SQS decrypts the message when reading from the source queue, then re-encrypts when writing to the DLQ. The key policy is not the issue.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the dead-letter queue (DLQ) does not have SSE enabled, so messages are stored in plaintext. This is because SQS server-side encryption with KMS is configured per queue, not inherited; the source queue’s encryption settings do not automatically apply to its associated DLQ, which is a completely separate SQS queue. If the DLQ lacks SSE or uses a different KMS key that the source queue cannot access, any messages redriven there after exceeding the maximum receives will be stored unencrypted. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that encryption is queue-specific and that a common trap is assuming the DLQ inherits the source queue’s configuration. A key memory tip: “Encrypt the DLQ separately—it’s not a hand-me-down.”
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 Amazon SQS to decouple its microservices. The messages contain personally identifiable information (PII). The security team requires that all messages be encrypted at rest. Currently, SQS is configured with SSE enabled using a customer managed KMS key. However, the team discovers that some messages are still being stored in plaintext in the dead-letter queue (DLQ) after the maximum receives are exceeded. The DLQ is also an SQS queue. What is the MOST likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The DLQ does not have SSE enabled, so messages are stored in plaintext.
Option D is correct. If the DLQ does not have SSE enabled, or if it uses a different KMS key that is not accessible, messages may be stored in plaintext. Option A is wrong because KMS key policy does not affect encryption of the source queue if the DLQ is not encrypted. Option B is wrong because the DLQ is a separate queue; the source queue's encryption does not apply to it. Option C is wrong because the source queue is already encrypted; the issue is the DLQ.
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.
- ✗
The source queue's SSE is configured with AWS managed KMS key, which does not support cross-account DLQ.
Why it's wrong here
SSE is enabled on the source queue; the DLQ is separate.
- ✓
The DLQ does not have SSE enabled, so messages are stored in plaintext.
Why this is correct
If the DLQ does not have SSE, messages will be stored unencrypted.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The source queue's SSE configuration uses a different KMS key than the DLQ, causing decryption failure.
Why it's wrong here
SQS decrypts the message before moving; it does not need to re-encrypt with the same key.
- ✗
The KMS key policy does not allow the SQS service to decrypt the messages before moving them to the DLQ.
Why it's wrong here
SQS decrypts the message when reading from the source queue, then re-encrypts when writing to the DLQ. The key policy is not the issue.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The DLQ does not have SSE enabled, so messages are stored in plaintext. — Option D is correct. If the DLQ does not have SSE enabled, or if it uses a different KMS key that is not accessible, messages may be stored in plaintext. Option A is wrong because KMS key policy does not affect encryption of the source queue if the DLQ is not encrypted. Option B is wrong because the DLQ is a separate queue; the source queue's encryption does not apply to it. Option C is wrong because the source queue is already encrypted; the issue is the DLQ.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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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