- A
Use AWS Config with a custom rule backed by an AWS Lambda function that checks if 'x-amz-server-side-encryption' is 'aws:kms' and auto-remediates by attaching a bucket policy that denies PUTs without SSE-KMS.
This uses AWS Config for detection and Lambda for remediation, which is a standard pattern. Bucket policy approach prevents future unencrypted uploads but does not encrypt existing objects; however, the requirement is to apply encryption configuration, which can be done via put-bucket-encryption API. The Lambda can call that API. This is a valid solution with managed services and minimal custom code (only the Lambda).
- B
Enable default encryption on the AWS account's S3 buckets using an S3 account-level setting in the S3 console, which automatically applies SSE-KMS to all new buckets.
Why wrong: There is no account-level default encryption for all S3 buckets. Default encryption must be configured per bucket. This option is not feasible.
- C
Create an AWS CloudTrail event that triggers an AWS Lambda function when a bucket is created, and the Lambda applies SSE-KMS encryption. Use AWS Config to periodically scan existing buckets and apply encryption.
Why wrong: While this could work, it uses CloudTrail events for bucket creation and a separate periodic Lambda for existing buckets. This is more complex and requires two Lambda functions, whereas AWS Config can handle both detection and remediation in a unified way.
- D
Use AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) with a Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies any S3 bucket creation without SSE-KMS enabled, and use AWS Config to detect and notify on non-compliance.
Why wrong: SCP can prevent creation of buckets without encryption but does not remediate existing buckets. The requirement includes detecting and remediating both existing and new buckets. This solution only addresses new buckets and does not automatically apply encryption to existing ones.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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. A key principle to apply: aWS Config monitors resource configurations and evaluates compliance.. 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's security policy requires that all Amazon S3 buckets must have server-side encryption with AWS Key Management Service (SSE-KMS) enabled. The SysOps administrator needs to automatically detect any existing or new S3 bucket that does not have SSE-KMS enabled and automatically apply the encryption configuration. The solution must use managed AWS services with minimal custom code. Which combination of AWS services should be used?
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 AWS Config with a custom rule backed by an AWS Lambda function that checks if 'x-amz-server-side-encryption' is 'aws:kms' and auto-remediates by attaching a bucket policy that denies PUTs without SSE-KMS.
Option A is correct because it uses AWS Config with a custom Lambda-backed rule to detect non-compliant S3 buckets (those missing SSE-KMS) and auto-remediate by attaching a bucket policy that denies PUT requests without the 'x-amz-server-side-encryption: aws:kms' header. This satisfies the requirement for minimal custom code (only the Lambda function) and uses managed AWS services (AWS Config, Lambda, S3) to automatically detect and fix both existing and new buckets.
Key principle: AWS Config monitors resource configurations and evaluates compliance.
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 AWS Config with a custom rule backed by an AWS Lambda function that checks if 'x-amz-server-side-encryption' is 'aws:kms' and auto-remediates by attaching a bucket policy that denies PUTs without SSE-KMS.
Why this is correct
This uses AWS Config for detection and Lambda for remediation, which is a standard pattern. Bucket policy approach prevents future unencrypted uploads but does not encrypt existing objects; however, the requirement is to apply encryption configuration, which can be done via put-bucket-encryption API. The Lambda can call that API. This is a valid solution with managed services and minimal custom code (only the Lambda).
Related concept
AWS Config monitors resource configurations and evaluates compliance.
- ✗
Enable default encryption on the AWS account's S3 buckets using an S3 account-level setting in the S3 console, which automatically applies SSE-KMS to all new buckets.
Why it's wrong here
There is no account-level default encryption for all S3 buckets. Default encryption must be configured per bucket. This option is not feasible.
- ✗
Create an AWS CloudTrail event that triggers an AWS Lambda function when a bucket is created, and the Lambda applies SSE-KMS encryption. Use AWS Config to periodically scan existing buckets and apply encryption.
Why it's wrong here
While this could work, it uses CloudTrail events for bucket creation and a separate periodic Lambda for existing buckets. This is more complex and requires two Lambda functions, whereas AWS Config can handle both detection and remediation in a unified way.
- ✗
Use AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) with a Service Control Policy (SCP) that denies any S3 bucket creation without SSE-KMS enabled, and use AWS Config to detect and notify on non-compliance.
Why it's wrong here
SCP can prevent creation of buckets without encryption but does not remediate existing buckets. The requirement includes detecting and remediating both existing and new buckets. This solution only addresses new buckets and does not automatically apply encryption to existing ones.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse S3 default encryption settings (which apply to objects, not buckets) with bucket policies or AWS Config rules, leading them to choose Option B or D, which cannot automatically remediate existing non-compliant buckets.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The solution leverages AWS Config's managed remediation action, which can invoke an AWS Systems Manager Automation document or a custom Lambda function to apply a bucket policy that enforces SSE-KMS. The bucket policy uses a condition key 's3:x-amz-server-side-encryption' with value 'aws:kms' to deny any PUT request that does not include the required encryption header, effectively enforcing encryption at the object level without modifying the bucket's default encryption settings. This approach works for both new and existing buckets because AWS Config evaluates all resources in scope and triggers remediation on non-compliant resources.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- AWS Config monitors resource configurations and evaluates compliance.
- Custom Config rules use Lambda functions for flexible evaluation and remediation.
- Lambda functions can call AWS APIs to modify non-compliant resources.
- AWS Config supports both change-triggered and periodic evaluations.
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
AWS Config monitors resource configurations and evaluates compliance.
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 aWS Config monitors resource configurations and evaluates compliance., then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — AWS Config monitors resource configurations and evaluates compliance..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Config with a custom rule backed by an AWS Lambda function that checks if 'x-amz-server-side-encryption' is 'aws:kms' and auto-remediates by attaching a bucket policy that denies PUTs without SSE-KMS. — Option A is correct because it uses AWS Config with a custom Lambda-backed rule to detect non-compliant S3 buckets (those missing SSE-KMS) and auto-remediate by attaching a bucket policy that denies PUT requests without the 'x-amz-server-side-encryption: aws:kms' header. This satisfies the requirement for minimal custom code (only the Lambda function) and uses managed AWS services (AWS Config, Lambda, S3) to automatically detect and fix both existing and new buckets.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review aWS Config monitors resource configurations and evaluates compliance., then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
AWS Config monitors resource configurations and evaluates compliance.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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