The correct answer is to update the bucket’s default encryption from SSE-S3 to SSE-KMS using the customer-managed key, then re-upload any existing objects. This works because default encryption settings only apply to newly uploaded objects, dictating how they are encrypted at rest upon arrival; existing objects retain their original encryption method and must be copied or re-uploaded to be re-encrypted with the new KMS key. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding that default encryption is a bucket-level setting that does not retroactively apply, and it often appears alongside traps like assuming a bucket policy or SCP can change encryption for existing data. A common mistake is thinking enabling versioning or altering policies will suffice, but only a direct update to default encryption plus a copy operation meets the requirement. Memory tip: “Default for new, copy for old” — remember that default encryption is forward-looking only.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
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 SysOps administrator is asked to ensure that all objects in an S3 bucket are encrypted at rest using a customer-managed KMS key. The bucket currently has default encryption set to SSE-S3. What must be done to meet the requirement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Update the bucket's default encryption to SSE-KMS using the customer-managed key, and re-upload existing objects.
Option B is correct because changing the default encryption to SSE-KMS with the customer key will encrypt new objects. Existing objects must be copied to re-encrypt with the new key. Option A is wrong because bucket policies can enforce encryption but do not change default encryption. Option C is wrong because SCPs are not for bucket-level settings. Option D is wrong because enabling versioning does not change encryption.
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.
✓
Update the bucket's default encryption to SSE-KMS using the customer-managed key, and re-upload existing objects.
Why this is correct
Default encryption must be changed, and existing objects need to be copied to be encrypted with the new key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add a bucket policy that denies s3:PutObject without the x-amz-server-side-encryption header.
Why it's wrong here
This enforces encryption but does not change default encryption to SSE-KMS.
✗
Apply a service control policy to enforce SSE-KMS across the organization.
Enable S3 Versioning and set the bucket's default encryption to SSE-KMS.
Why it's wrong here
Versioning does not affect encryption; existing objects remain unchanged.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 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 — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Update the bucket's default encryption to SSE-KMS using the customer-managed key, and re-upload existing objects. — Option B is correct because changing the default encryption to SSE-KMS with the customer key will encrypt new objects. Existing objects must be copied to re-encrypt with the new key. Option A is wrong because bucket policies can enforce encryption but do not change default encryption. Option C is wrong because SCPs are not for bucket-level settings. Option D is wrong because enabling versioning does not change encryption.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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