This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud data security. 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.
Network Topology
The exhibit shows a bucket policy applied to a cloud storage bucket. After applying this policy, the security team notices that objects in the bucket are publicly accessible. Which additional condition should be added to restrict access to only authorized applications?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a condition that limits access to specific IP addresses or VPC endpoints.
Option A is correct because the bucket policy already grants public access via 'Principal': '*', so removing that principal or changing actions won't fix the underlying exposure. By adding a condition that restricts access to specific IP addresses or VPC endpoints, you ensure that only requests originating from authorized network sources can access the bucket, effectively overriding the broad principal wildcard.
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.
✓
Add a condition that limits access to specific IP addresses or VPC endpoints.
Why this is correct
Conditions like 'aws:SourceIp' restrict access to authorized network locations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Remove the 'Principal': '*' statement to make the bucket private.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the statement would also remove the intended access; better to add conditions.
✗
Change the Action to s3:PutObject to limit exposure.
Why it's wrong here
PutObject is for writing, not reading; does not restrict read access.
✗
Add a condition to require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
Why it's wrong here
MFA is user-based, not suitable for application access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that removing the principal wildcard or changing the action alone is sufficient to secure a bucket, when in fact network-level restrictions via conditions are necessary to enforce access control for authorized applications.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, AWS S3 bucket policies are evaluated along with IAM policies and ACLs; a condition key like 'aws:SourceIp' or 'aws:SourceVpce' can be used to restrict access to specific IP ranges or VPC endpoints. In a real-world scenario, a company might use a VPC endpoint to ensure that only EC2 instances within a private subnet can access the bucket, preventing data exfiltration via the public internet.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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: Add a condition that limits access to specific IP addresses or VPC endpoints. — Option A is correct because the bucket policy already grants public access via 'Principal': '*', so removing that principal or changing actions won't fix the underlying exposure. By adding a condition that restricts access to specific IP addresses or VPC endpoints, you ensure that only requests originating from authorized network sources can access the bucket, effectively overriding the broad principal wildcard.
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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