Quick Answer
The correct answer is to add a bucket policy that denies PutObject without encryption. While enabling default SSE-S3 on the bucket ensures new objects are encrypted if no other setting is specified, it does not prevent a user from explicitly uploading an unencrypted object by omitting the `x-amz-server-side-encryption` header. A bucket policy with a deny effect for `s3:PutObject` when the condition key `s3:x-amz-server-side-encryption` is missing or set to a non-compliant value enforces encryption at the API level, rejecting any request that does not include the required header. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that bucket-level default encryption settings are not a security enforcement mechanism—they are a fallback. A common trap is assuming that enabling SSE-S3 alone is sufficient, but the exam emphasizes that only a policy can actively block non-compliant uploads. Memory tip: think of the bucket policy as the bouncer that checks for the encryption ID at the door, while default settings are just a welcome mat.
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 needs to ensure that data in an S3 bucket is encrypted at rest. The bucket already has server-side encryption with S3 managed keys (SSE-S3) enabled. Which additional step is required to enforce encryption for all objects?
Add a bucket policy that denies PutObject without encryption.
Enforces encryption at upload time.
Enable CloudTrail to log unencrypted uploads.
Why wrong: Logging does not enforce.
Enable default encryption on the bucket.
Why wrong: Already enabled.
Enable versioning on the bucket.
Why wrong: Versioning does not enforce encryption.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Add a bucket policy that denies PutObject without encryption.
Option B is correct because a bucket policy can deny PutObject requests without the x-amz-server-side-encryption header. Option A is wrong because SSE-S3 is already enabled. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail does not enforce encryption. Option D is wrong because versioning does not enforce encryption.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Add a bucket policy that denies PutObject without encryption.
Why this is correct
Enforces encryption at upload time.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Enable CloudTrail to log unencrypted uploads.
Why it's wrong here
Logging does not enforce.
Enable default encryption on the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Already enabled.
Enable versioning on the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Versioning does not enforce encryption.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SOA-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: Add a bucket policy that denies PutObject without encryption. — Option B is correct because a bucket policy can deny PutObject requests without the x-amz-server-side-encryption header. Option A is wrong because SSE-S3 is already enabled. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail does not enforce encryption. Option D is wrong because versioning does not enforce encryption.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SOA-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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