The correct actions are to enable default encryption on the S3 bucket and enable S3 server access logs. Default encryption ensures that all objects stored in the bucket are automatically encrypted at rest using either SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS, meeting the encryption requirement without needing to modify each upload. Server access logs capture detailed records of every request made to the bucket, including the requester, action, and response status, fulfilling the logging requirement for all access. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between security features that enforce encryption and those that provide audit trails—a common trap is confusing replication or object lock with encryption, or transfer acceleration with logging. Remember the memory tip: “Default for data at rest, logs for who’s the guest.”
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 company has an S3 bucket that stores sensitive data. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest and that all access be logged. Which TWO actions should the SysOps administrator take to meet these requirements? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable default encryption on the S3 bucket.
Option A is correct: Enabling default encryption ensures objects are encrypted with SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS. Option D is correct: Enabling S3 server access logs logs all requests. Option B is wrong because S3 Replication does not provide encryption. Option C is wrong because S3 Transfer Acceleration is about speed, not security. Option E is wrong because S3 Object Lock is for write-once-read-many (WORM) protection, not encryption or logging.
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.
✗
Enable S3 Transfer Acceleration.
Why it's wrong here
Transfer Acceleration improves upload speed, not security.
✗
Enable S3 Replication to replicate objects to another bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Replication does not provide encryption or logging.
✓
Enable default encryption on the S3 bucket.
Why this is correct
Default encryption ensures all objects are encrypted at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable S3 Object Lock.
Why it's wrong here
Object Lock prevents deletion, but does not enforce encryption or logging.
✓
Enable S3 server access logs.
Why this is correct
Server access logs record all requests to the bucket.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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: Enable default encryption on the S3 bucket. — Option A is correct: Enabling default encryption ensures objects are encrypted with SSE-S3 or SSE-KMS. Option D is correct: Enabling S3 server access logs logs all requests. Option B is wrong because S3 Replication does not provide encryption. Option C is wrong because S3 Transfer Acceleration is about speed, not security. Option E is wrong because S3 Object Lock is for write-once-read-many (WORM) protection, not encryption or logging.
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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