The answer is that the bucket allows read access to anyone from a specific IP range. This is correct because the policy combines a wildcard principal (`"Principal": "*"`) with the `s3:GetObject` action, but restricts it using an `IpAddress` condition key set to `"aws:SourceIp": "10.0.0.0/24"`. The security implication is that any user on the internet can read objects in the bucket, provided their request originates from that trusted CIDR block—no AWS credentials are required. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this tests your ability to interpret an IAM-style policy document and spot the difference between authentication (who) and authorization (what, where). A common trap is assuming `"Principal": "*"` always means public access; in reality, the condition narrows it to a specific network. Memory tip: think of it as a “bouncer at a private club”—anyone can show up, but only those from the right address get in.
ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The bucket allows read access to anyone from a specific IP range
The bucket policy grants the `s3:GetObject` action (read access) to all principals (`"Principal": "*"`) but only if the request originates from the specified IP range (`"IpAddress": {"aws:SourceIp": "10.0.0.0/24"}`). This means anyone on the internet can read objects, but only if their source IP falls within that CIDR block. This is a common pattern for allowing read access to a trusted network without requiring AWS credentials.
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.
✗
The bucket allows anonymous write access
Why it's wrong here
Only GetObject is allowed.
✓
The bucket allows read access to anyone from a specific IP range
Why this is correct
Principals '*' means anyone, but restricted by IP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between a bucket being 'public' (anyone can access) versus having a condition that restricts access to a specific IP range, causing candidates to mistakenly think any policy with `Principal: "*"` makes the bucket fully public.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `aws:SourceIp` condition key uses the source IP address of the request as seen by AWS, which for S3 is the IP of the client making the request (not a proxy). This condition is evaluated at the time of the request; if the client's IP does not match, the policy denies access even if the `Principal` is `*`. In real-world scenarios, this is used to allow public read access to a bucket only from a corporate VPN or office network, while blocking all other internet traffic.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The bucket allows read access to anyone from a specific IP range — The bucket policy grants the `s3:GetObject` action (read access) to all principals (`"Principal": "*"`) but only if the request originates from the specified IP range (`"IpAddress": {"aws:SourceIp": "10.0.0.0/24"}`). This means anyone on the internet can read objects, but only if their source IP falls within that CIDR block. This is a common pattern for allowing read access to a trusted network without requiring AWS credentials.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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