Quick Answer
The answer is SSE-C and SSE-KMS, as both are valid methods for enforcing encryption at rest for data in Amazon S3. Server-Side Encryption with Customer-Provided Keys (SSE-C) allows you to manage your own encryption keys while AWS handles the encryption process, and Server-Side Encryption with AWS Key Management Service (SSE-KMS) gives you centralized control over keys with additional audit and rotation capabilities. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish encryption-at-rest methods from security controls that operate in other layers—a common trap is confusing SSL/TLS (which protects data in transit) or IAM policies (which govern access) with encryption itself. Remember the mnemonic: "REST with KMS or C, TRANSIT with TLS, ACCESS with IAM."
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 of the following are valid ways to enforce encryption at rest for data in Amazon S3? (Choose TWO.)
Use SSL/TLS
Why wrong: SSL/TLS is for in transit.
Use IAM policies
Why wrong: IAM policies control access, not encryption.
Use AWS CloudTrail
Why wrong: CloudTrail is for auditing.
Use SSE-KMS
SSE-KMS uses KMS keys for encryption.
Use SSE-C
SSE-C uses customer-provided keys.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use SSE-KMS
SSE-KMS and SSE-C are both methods for encrypting objects at rest. Option C is wrong because SSL/TLS is for in transit. Option D is wrong because IAM policies control access, not encryption. Option E is wrong because CloudTrail is logging.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use SSL/TLS
Why it's wrong here
SSL/TLS is for in transit.
Use IAM policies
Why it's wrong here
IAM policies control access, not encryption.
Use AWS CloudTrail
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail is for auditing.
Use SSE-KMS
Why this is correct
SSE-KMS uses KMS keys for encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Use SSE-C
Why this is correct
SSE-C uses customer-provided keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
Data Protection — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use SSE-KMS — SSE-KMS and SSE-C are both methods for encrypting objects at rest. Option C is wrong because SSL/TLS is for in transit. Option D is wrong because IAM policies control access, not encryption. Option E is wrong because CloudTrail is logging.
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.
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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