- A
Use an internet gateway and a route table that directs traffic to the internet gateway, and use network ACLs to allow only S3 IP ranges
Why wrong: Internet gateway allows all traffic; S3 IP ranges change.
- B
Configure a NAT gateway in the public subnet and update the route table to send traffic to the NAT gateway, then use security groups to restrict outbound traffic
Why wrong: NAT gateway allows all outbound traffic; security groups cannot restrict to a specific bucket.
- C
Use a VPC endpoint for S3 and attach a security group to the endpoint that allows only HTTPS traffic to the S3 prefix list
Why wrong: Security groups on endpoints only filter based on IP, not bucket names.
- D
Create a gateway VPC endpoint for S3, attach a bucket policy that allows access only from the VPC endpoint, and use a VPC endpoint policy to restrict actions to the specific bucket
This ensures traffic stays within AWS and is restricted to the bucket.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create a gateway VPC endpoint for S3, attach a bucket policy that allows access only from the VPC endpoint, and use a VPC endpoint policy to restrict actions to the specific bucket. This is the most secure way to restrict EC2 outbound traffic to S3 because a gateway VPC endpoint keeps traffic entirely within the AWS network, never traversing the public internet, while the bucket policy enforces that only requests originating from that specific endpoint ID are allowed, and the endpoint policy further limits which S3 actions and resources the EC2 instances can use. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to combine VPC endpoints with resource-based policies for least-privilege access, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose a NAT gateway or internet gateway, which would open broad outbound access. A common memory tip is to remember that gateway endpoints are free and keep traffic private, while bucket policies are the key to locking down access to a specific VPC—think "endpoint ID in the bucket policy" as your security handshake.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 has a VPC with a public and private subnet. The security team wants to restrict outbound traffic from EC2 instances in the private subnet to only allow traffic to an S3 bucket in the same account. Which of the following is the MOST secure way to achieve this?
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
Create a gateway VPC endpoint for S3, attach a bucket policy that allows access only from the VPC endpoint, and use a VPC endpoint policy to restrict actions to the specific bucket
Option D is correct because using a gateway VPC endpoint for S3 with a bucket policy that allows only the VPC's endpoint ID ensures that traffic can only come from within the VPC. Additionally, a VPC endpoint policy can restrict actions to the specific bucket. Option A is incorrect because NAT gateways allow all outbound traffic, not just to S3. Option B is incorrect because security groups cannot filter based on S3 bucket names. Option C is incorrect because an internet gateway would allow general outbound traffic.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 an internet gateway and a route table that directs traffic to the internet gateway, and use network ACLs to allow only S3 IP ranges
Why it's wrong here
Internet gateway allows all traffic; S3 IP ranges change.
- ✗
Configure a NAT gateway in the public subnet and update the route table to send traffic to the NAT gateway, then use security groups to restrict outbound traffic
- ✗
Use a VPC endpoint for S3 and attach a security group to the endpoint that allows only HTTPS traffic to the S3 prefix list
Why it's wrong here
Security groups on endpoints only filter based on IP, not bucket names.
- ✓
Create a gateway VPC endpoint for S3, attach a bucket policy that allows access only from the VPC endpoint, and use a VPC endpoint policy to restrict actions to the specific bucket
Why this is correct
This ensures traffic stays within AWS and is restricted to the bucket.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SOA-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a gateway VPC endpoint for S3, attach a bucket policy that allows access only from the VPC endpoint, and use a VPC endpoint policy to restrict actions to the specific bucket — Option D is correct because using a gateway VPC endpoint for S3 with a bucket policy that allows only the VPC's endpoint ID ensures that traffic can only come from within the VPC. Additionally, a VPC endpoint policy can restrict actions to the specific bucket. Option A is incorrect because NAT gateways allow all outbound traffic, not just to S3. Option B is incorrect because security groups cannot filter based on S3 bucket names. Option C is incorrect because an internet gateway would allow general outbound traffic.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SOA-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SOA-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 SOA-C02 exam.
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