The correct answer is to modify the AMI launch permissions and add the target account as a principal in the KMS key policy with kms:Decrypt permission. This is required because sharing an encrypted AMI cross-account involves two distinct layers of access control: the AMI itself must be shared via launch permissions, and the underlying encrypted EBS snapshots are protected by a customer managed KMS key, so the target account must be explicitly granted kms:Decrypt on that key policy to decrypt the snapshots when launching an EC2 instance. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that AMI sharing alone is insufficient for encrypted images—a common trap is assuming launch permissions are enough, or that re-encrypting with a new key is necessary. Remember the dual-permission rule: AMI permissions for the image, KMS permissions for the key. A handy memory tip is “Share the AMI, unlock the key”—both steps are non-negotiable for cross-account encrypted AMI access.
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 needs to share an encrypted AMI with a different AWS account. The AMI uses an AWS KMS key (customer managed key) for EBS encryption. What must be done to allow the target account to launch EC2 instances from the AMI?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Modify the AMI launch permissions and add the target account as a principal in the KMS key policy with kms:Decrypt permission.
To share an encrypted AMI with a different account, both the AMI permissions and the KMS key permissions must be updated. Option C is correct because it grants the required permissions. Option A is wrong because modifying launch permissions is not enough; KMS key permissions are also needed. Option B is wrong because sharing the snapshot separately does not grant KMS access. Option D is wrong because re-encrypting with a new key is unnecessary if permissions are properly set.
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.
✗
Share the underlying EBS snapshot with the target account.
Why it's wrong here
The snapshot is encrypted and the target account needs KMS access.
✗
Re-encrypt the AMI using a new KMS key that is shared with the target account.
Why it's wrong here
This is unnecessary; you can grant access to the existing key.
✓
Modify the AMI launch permissions and add the target account as a principal in the KMS key policy with kms:Decrypt permission.
Why this is correct
Both AMI and KMS permissions are required.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Modify the AMI launch permissions to include the target account.
Why it's wrong here
The target account also needs access to the KMS key.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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: Modify the AMI launch permissions and add the target account as a principal in the KMS key policy with kms:Decrypt permission. — To share an encrypted AMI with a different account, both the AMI permissions and the KMS key permissions must be updated. Option C is correct because it grants the required permissions. Option A is wrong because modifying launch permissions is not enough; KMS key permissions are also needed. Option B is wrong because sharing the snapshot separately does not grant KMS access. Option D is wrong because re-encrypting with a new key is unnecessary if permissions are properly set.
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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