The correct answer is that the policy’s intent is to prevent deletion of objects from the bucket over unencrypted connections. This is achieved by the condition “aws:SecureTransport”: “false” being applied to a Deny effect for the s3:DeleteObject action, which blocks any deletion request made via HTTP while still allowing deletion over HTTPS. On the Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how S3 bucket policies enforce encryption requirements for specific operations, often appearing in questions about data protection controls and secure transmission. A common trap is assuming the policy blocks all deletions, but it only restricts unencrypted requests, leaving HTTPS deletions fully permitted. Remember the key distinction: the policy denies deletion over HTTP, not deletion itself—think “Deny over HTTP, allow over HTTPS” to avoid misreading the condition.
CISA Protection of Information Assets Practice Question
This CISA practice question tests your understanding of protection of information assets. 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.
An organization has the S3 bucket policy shown. Which of the following is the MOST likely intent of this policy?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Prevent deletion of objects from the bucket over unencrypted connections.
The policy denies s3:DeleteObject when SecureTransport is false.
B
Prevent all deletion of objects from the bucket.
Why wrong: Deletion over HTTPS is not denied.
C
Prevent access to the bucket over HTTP.
Why wrong: Only DeleteObject action is denied over HTTP; other actions allowed.
D
Allow deletion only over HTTPS.
Why wrong: The policy does not explicitly allow; it denies over HTTP, so deletion over HTTPS is implicitly allowed, but the intent is to block insecure deletion.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Prevent deletion of objects from the bucket over unencrypted connections.
Option A is correct because the policy denies DeleteObject when the request is not over HTTPS (SecureTransport false), thereby blocking deletion over HTTP but allowing deletion over HTTPS. Option B is incorrect because deletion over HTTPS is still allowed. Option C is incorrect because other actions like read are not restricted. Option D is incorrect because it does not specifically allow deletion only over HTTPS; it denies over HTTP, so deletion over HTTPS is allowed implicitly.
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.
✓
Prevent deletion of objects from the bucket over unencrypted connections.
Why this is correct
The policy denies s3:DeleteObject when SecureTransport is false.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Only DeleteObject action is denied over HTTP; other actions allowed.
✗
Allow deletion only over HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
The policy does not explicitly allow; it denies over HTTP, so deletion over HTTPS is implicitly allowed, but the intent is to block insecure deletion.
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 practitioner preparing for the CISA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which CISA 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.
Protection of Information Assets — This question tests Protection of Information Assets — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Prevent deletion of objects from the bucket over unencrypted connections. — Option A is correct because the policy denies DeleteObject when the request is not over HTTPS (SecureTransport false), thereby blocking deletion over HTTP but allowing deletion over HTTPS. Option B is incorrect because deletion over HTTPS is still allowed. Option C is incorrect because other actions like read are not restricted. Option D is incorrect because it does not specifically allow deletion only over HTTPS; it denies over HTTP, so deletion over HTTPS is allowed implicitly.
What should I do if I get this CISA question wrong?
Identify which CISA 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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