- A
Use a security group to allow inbound traffic from the VPC to S3.
Why wrong: Security groups cannot be used with S3 because S3 is a service, not an instance.
- B
Use an IAM policy with a condition key aws:SourceVpce to restrict access to the VPC endpoint.
IAM policies can restrict based on VPC endpoint ID.
- C
Configure a VPC endpoint for S3 and attach a bucket policy that allows access only from that endpoint.
VPC endpoints allow private access and bucket policies can restrict to the endpoint.
- D
Use a network ACL to allow traffic from the VPC to S3.
Why wrong: NACLs apply to subnets, not to S3 endpoints.
- E
Use an IAM policy with a condition key aws:SourceIp to restrict access to the VPC CIDR.
Why wrong: aws:SourceIp does not work for requests through VPC endpoints.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to configure a VPC endpoint for S3 and attach a bucket policy that allows access only from that endpoint, using the `aws:SourceVpce` condition key. This works because the VPC endpoint acts as a private gateway into S3 from within your VPC, and the bucket policy’s condition key explicitly restricts traffic to requests arriving through that specific endpoint ID, effectively blocking all public internet or cross-VPC traffic. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of network-level access controls versus identity-based policies—a common trap is confusing `aws:SourceVpce` with `aws:SourceVpc`, which would allow any endpoint in the VPC rather than a single one. Remember, you need both the endpoint and the policy condition; neither alone is sufficient. A helpful memory tip: “VPCe the key” — think of the endpoint ID as the key that unlocks S3 access only from your private network.
SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 actions can be used to restrict access to an S3 bucket to only requests that originate from a specific VPC?
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 an IAM policy with a condition key aws:SourceVpce to restrict access to the VPC endpoint.
Option B is correct because the `aws:SourceVpce` condition key in an IAM policy allows you to restrict access to an S3 bucket to requests that originate from a specific VPC endpoint (VPC Endpoint ID). This ensures that only traffic coming through that VPC endpoint can access the bucket, effectively limiting access to the VPC. Option C is also correct because you can configure a VPC endpoint for S3 and attach a bucket policy that explicitly allows access only from that endpoint using the `aws:SourceVpce` condition, achieving the same restriction.
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 a security group to allow inbound traffic from the VPC to S3.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups cannot be used with S3 because S3 is a service, not an instance.
- ✓
Use an IAM policy with a condition key aws:SourceVpce to restrict access to the VPC endpoint.
Why this is correct
IAM policies can restrict based on VPC endpoint ID.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Configure a VPC endpoint for S3 and attach a bucket policy that allows access only from that endpoint.
Why this is correct
VPC endpoints allow private access and bucket policies can restrict to the endpoint.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a network ACL to allow traffic from the VPC to S3.
Why it's wrong here
NACLs apply to subnets, not to S3 endpoints.
- ✗
Use an IAM policy with a condition key aws:SourceIp to restrict access to the VPC CIDR.
Why it's wrong here
aws:SourceIp does not work for requests through VPC endpoints.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse IAM policies with bucket policies or think that security groups or network ACLs can directly control access to S3, but S3 is a managed service and does not process security group or NACL rules; only bucket policies and IAM policies with VPC endpoint conditions can enforce such restrictions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When using a VPC endpoint for S3 (Gateway or Interface type), the source IP of the request is replaced by the endpoint's private IP, making `aws:SourceIp` ineffective. The `aws:SourceVpce` condition key checks the VPC endpoint ID, which is a unique identifier for the endpoint, ensuring that only traffic from that specific endpoint is allowed. This approach is critical in hybrid architectures where you need to enforce that S3 access only occurs from within a controlled VPC, preventing data exfiltration via the public internet.
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.
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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Identity and Access Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an IAM policy with a condition key aws:SourceVpce to restrict access to the VPC endpoint. — Option B is correct because the `aws:SourceVpce` condition key in an IAM policy allows you to restrict access to an S3 bucket to requests that originate from a specific VPC endpoint (VPC Endpoint ID). This ensures that only traffic coming through that VPC endpoint can access the bucket, effectively limiting access to the VPC. Option C is also correct because you can configure a VPC endpoint for S3 and attach a bucket policy that explicitly allows access only from that endpoint using the `aws:SourceVpce` condition, achieving the same restriction.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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