The answer is that the policy allows GetObject from the internal network only when using HTTPS. This is correct because the policy combines an explicit Deny for any request where `aws:SecureTransport` is false, meaning non-HTTPS traffic is blocked regardless of any Allow statement, with an Allow that grants `s3:GetObject` only when the source IP falls within the 10.0.0.0/24 range. The explicit Deny for non-HTTPS overrides the Allow, so the effective permission is a narrow, conditional access. On the Certified Cloud Security Professional CCSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how explicit Deny statements in S3 bucket policies take precedence over Allow statements, a common trap where candidates mistakenly think the Allow alone is sufficient. Remember the key principle: explicit Deny always wins, and here the S3 bucket policy explicit deny HTTPS IP restriction ensures that even valid internal IPs cannot bypass encryption. Memory tip: "Deny first, then allow—if the Deny matches, the Allow never matters."
CCSP Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud concepts, architecture and design. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A security engineer is reviewing this S3 bucket policy. The bucket contains sensitive documents that should only be accessible from the internal network (10.0.0.0/24) and only over HTTPS. What is the most likely effect 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.
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 GetObject from the internal network only when using HTTPS.
The policy includes an explicit Deny for any request that does not use HTTPS (i.e., aws:SecureTransport is false), which overrides any Allow. The Allow statement grants s3:GetObject only when the source IP is within 10.0.0.0/24. Therefore, the effective result is that GetObject is allowed only from the internal network and only over HTTPS, making option B correct.
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 allows access from any IP if the request uses HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
The Allow statement restricts the source IP to 10.0.0.0/24, so external IPs are not allowed.
✓
The policy allows GetObject from the internal network only when using HTTPS.
Why this is correct
The Allow with IP condition permits internal requests, and the Deny on non-SecureTransport blocks HTTP requests, effectively requiring HTTPS.
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.
✗
The policy allows access from any IP in 10.0.0.0/24, but blocks access from the VPC.
Why it's wrong here
The policy allows access from the specified IP range, not blocks it.
✗
The policy denies all access to the bucket because of the explicit Deny statement.
Why it's wrong here
The Deny only applies to non-HTTPS requests; HTTPS requests are allowed from the specified IP range.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the interplay between explicit Deny and Allow statements, where candidates mistakenly think a Deny only applies to the specific action listed, or they overlook that the Deny for non-HTTPS effectively blocks all requests that are not encrypted, even if the IP condition is met.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The aws:SecureTransport condition key evaluates whether the request was sent over TLS/SSL; when set to 'false', the Deny statement blocks all actions (s3:*) for non-HTTPS requests. The Allow statement uses both the 'IpAddress' condition for the source IP and the 'StringEquals' condition for s3:x-amz-acl to restrict object access, but the critical interaction is that the explicit Deny for non-HTTPS takes precedence over any Allow, enforcing encryption in transit. In real-world scenarios, this pattern is used to enforce compliance requirements like PCI-DSS or HIPAA, where data must be encrypted during transmission.
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.
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 Concepts, Architecture and Design — This question tests Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy allows GetObject from the internal network only when using HTTPS. — The policy includes an explicit Deny for any request that does not use HTTPS (i.e., aws:SecureTransport is false), which overrides any Allow. The Allow statement grants s3:GetObject only when the source IP is within 10.0.0.0/24. Therefore, the effective result is that GetObject is allowed only from the internal network and only over HTTPS, making option B correct.
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.
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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Question Discussion
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