Quick Answer
The correct actions are enabling CloudTrail log file validation and using SSE-KMS encryption for the log files. Log file validation creates a hash-based digest file that allows you to verify that log files have not been modified, deleted, or tampered with after delivery, making it the primary mechanism for tamper-proofing. SSE-KMS adds a second layer of protection by encrypting the logs at rest with a customer-managed key, ensuring that even if an unauthorized party gains access to the S3 bucket, they cannot read the contents. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of CloudTrail’s built-in integrity features versus common distractors like S3 access logs or MFA Delete, which are unrelated to log validation. A frequent trap is confusing MFA Delete (which protects versioned objects from deletion) with tamper-proofing the log content itself. Remember the mnemonic: “Digest for digest, KMS for chest”—the digest file validates integrity, while KMS locks the data.
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 using AWS CloudTrail to log all API calls. The security team wants to ensure that logs are tamper-proof and stored securely. Which TWO actions should be taken? (Choose two.)
Write logs to a different AWS account.
Why wrong: Does not prevent tampering.
Encrypt the CloudTrail log files with SSE-KMS.
Protects data at rest.
Enable MFA Delete on the S3 bucket.
Why wrong: Prevents accidental deletion, but not tampering.
Enable S3 server access logs.
Why wrong: Logs access to S3, not CloudTrail logs.
Enable CloudTrail log file validation.
Ensures log integrity.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Encrypt the CloudTrail log files with SSE-KMS.
Option A is correct because enabling log file validation creates a digest file that can be used to verify integrity. Option C is correct because SSE-KMS encrypts the log files. Option B is wrong because S3 access logs are separate. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail already logs to S3. Option E is wrong because MFA Delete is for versioning, not tamper-proofing.
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.
Write logs to a different AWS account.
Why it's wrong here
Does not prevent tampering.
Encrypt the CloudTrail log files with SSE-KMS.
Why this is correct
Protects data at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable MFA Delete on the S3 bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Prevents accidental deletion, but not tampering.
Enable S3 server access logs.
Why it's wrong here
Logs access to S3, not CloudTrail logs.
Enable CloudTrail log file validation.
Why this is correct
Ensures log integrity.
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 SOA-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.
Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Encrypt the CloudTrail log files with SSE-KMS. — Option A is correct because enabling log file validation creates a digest file that can be used to verify integrity. Option C is correct because SSE-KMS encrypts the log files. Option B is wrong because S3 access logs are separate. Option D is wrong because CloudTrail already logs to S3. Option E is wrong because MFA Delete is for versioning, not tamper-proofing.
Identify which SOA-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.
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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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