Who is allowed to decrypt the log files that are encrypted with KMS?

The correct answer emphasizes that only users with appropriate IAM (Identity and Access Management) permissions are allowed to decrypt log files encrypted with AWS Key Management Service (KMS). This is crucial because KMS operates under strict access control mechanisms, ensuring that only authorized users can manage the encryption keys and perform decryption.

IAM policies are used to specify which users or roles have permission to use certain KMS keys. This means that even if a user is within the organization, they won't be able to decrypt the log files unless their IAM role includes the necessary permissions associated with the KMS keys used for encryption. This security measure helps protect sensitive data and ensures that access is tightly controlled according to the principle of least privilege.

The approach to managing permissions through IAM allows organizations to maintain a fine-grained control over who can decrypt the files, thus enhancing security and compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.