This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud data security. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
CloudTrail log entry:
{
"eventVersion": "1.05",
"userIdentity": { "arn": "arn:aws:iam::123456789012:user/Alice" },
"eventTime": "2023-08-15T14:30:00Z",
"eventSource": "kms.amazonaws.com",
"eventName": "Decrypt",
"sourceIPAddress": "203.0.113.5",
"resources": [{ "ARN": "arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/1234abcd-12ab-34cd-56ef-1234567890ab" }],
"errorCode": "AccessDenied",
"errorMessage": "User: arn:aws:iam::123456789012:user/Alice is not authorized to perform: kms:Decrypt on resource: arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/1234abcd-12ab-34cd-56ef-1234567890ab"
}
Based on the CloudTrail log, why did the Decrypt call fail?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The key policy denied access.
The Decrypt call failed because the key policy attached to the AWS KMS CMK explicitly denied the IAM role or user making the request. CloudTrail logs show the error code 'AccessDenied' or 'UnauthorizedOperation', which indicates that the key policy did not grant the necessary kms:Decrypt permission to the principal. Even if the CMK is enabled and the ciphertext is valid, a restrictive key policy will block the operation.
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 encryption algorithm mismatch.
Why it's wrong here
Algorithm mismatch would cause a different error.
✗
The ciphertext was tampered.
Why it's wrong here
Tampering would cause an integrity check failure, not access denied.
✓
The key policy denied access.
Why this is correct
The error message indicates the user lacks authorization on the key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The CMK was disabled.
Why it's wrong here
A disabled key would produce a 'DisabledException' error.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between key policy denials and CMK state issues; the trap here is that candidates confuse 'AccessDenied' errors with 'DisabledException' or 'InvalidCiphertextException', assuming the key is disabled or the ciphertext is corrupted when the real cause is a missing or explicit deny in the key policy.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS KMS key policies are resource-based policies that control access to the CMK separately from IAM policies. When a Decrypt call is made, KMS evaluates the key policy first; if it denies the principal, the call fails immediately without checking the ciphertext or CMK state. This is a common misconfiguration in multi-account setups where key policies are used to restrict cross-account access, and the error in CloudTrail will show 'AccessDenied' with the key ARN.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Cloud Data Security — This question tests Cloud Data Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The key policy denied access. — The Decrypt call failed because the key policy attached to the AWS KMS CMK explicitly denied the IAM role or user making the request. CloudTrail logs show the error code 'AccessDenied' or 'UnauthorizedOperation', which indicates that the key policy did not grant the necessary kms:Decrypt permission to the principal. Even if the CMK is enabled and the ciphertext is valid, a restrictive key policy will block the operation.
What should I do if I get this CCSP 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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