This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of legal, risk and compliance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A security analyst discovers this bucket policy attached to an S3 bucket containing sensitive customer data. What is the MOST significant security risk posed by this policy?
The policy does not require encryption in transit, so data could be intercepted.
Why wrong: While encryption in transit is important, the most significant risk is the broad access granted; lack of encryption is a separate concern.
B
The Condition block is misconfigured and will allow access from any IP address.
Why wrong: The condition is correctly written and will restrict access to the specified IP range.
C
The policy allows any AWS user to read objects if they are within the specified IP range.
This is correct; the combination of Principal: '*' and IP condition means anyone from that IP range can access the data, which is a significant risk if the range includes untrusted networks.
D
The policy does not include a NotPrincipal element to restrict access further.
Why wrong: NotPrincipal is not necessary for this policy; the main issue is the permissive Principal.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy allows any AWS user to read objects if they are within the specified IP range.
The policy allows any AWS user (Principal: "*") to read objects if they are from the specified IP range. This is overly permissive, granting access to the entire internet at that range, which could include malicious actors. The condition is correctly applied (B is false), encryption is not the main issue (C), and NotPrincipal is not required (D).
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 policy does not require encryption in transit, so data could be intercepted.
Why it's wrong here
While encryption in transit is important, the most significant risk is the broad access granted; lack of encryption is a separate concern.
✗
The Condition block is misconfigured and will allow access from any IP address.
Why it's wrong here
The condition is correctly written and will restrict access to the specified IP range.
✓
The policy allows any AWS user to read objects if they are within the specified IP range.
Why this is correct
This is correct; the combination of Principal: '*' and IP condition means anyone from that IP range can access the data, which is a significant risk if the range includes untrusted networks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The policy does not include a NotPrincipal element to restrict access further.
Why it's wrong here
NotPrincipal is not necessary for this policy; the main issue is the permissive Principal.
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 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 CCSP 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.
Legal, Risk and Compliance — This question tests Legal, Risk and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy allows any AWS user to read objects if they are within the specified IP range. — The policy allows any AWS user (Principal: "*") to read objects if they are from the specified IP range. This is overly permissive, granting access to the entire internet at that range, which could include malicious actors. The condition is correctly applied (B is false), encryption is not the main issue (C), and NotPrincipal is not required (D).
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Identify which CCSP 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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