- A
The customer, because they chose to run a relational database
Why wrong: For EC2-based databases, the customer patches the OS and database software. For managed RDS, the model is different — AWS handles engine patching.
- B
AWS, because RDS is a managed service that abstracts OS and engine management
RDS is a managed database service. AWS is responsible for patching the database engine (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.), the underlying OS, and the hardware. This is why RDS sits on the 'AWS manages' side for engine patching, unlike a self-managed DB on EC2.
- C
A shared responsibility where AWS and the customer each patch different components
Why wrong: For RDS engine patching specifically, it is AWS's responsibility. While some configuration decisions belong to the customer, engine patching is managed by AWS.
- D
A third-party DBA contracted by the customer
Why wrong: The Shared Responsibility Model is between AWS and the customer. Third parties contracted by the customer are still considered the customer's responsibility in this model.
Quick Answer
The answer is AWS, because Amazon RDS is a fully managed service that handles patching of the database engine software under the Shared Responsibility Model. AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud, which includes managing the host operating system and applying database engine patches, while the customer only manages data, access controls, and application-level security. On the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how managed services shift operational burdens to AWS—a common trap is assuming the customer must patch the engine since they configure the database. Remember the key distinction: if the service is managed (like RDS, DynamoDB, or Lambda), AWS handles the underlying infrastructure and software patching; if it’s self-managed (like EC2 with your own database), you patch everything. A simple memory tip: “Managed means AWS handles the engine—you just handle the data and the login.”
CLF-C02 Cloud Concepts Practice Question
This CLF-C02 practice question tests your understanding of cloud concepts. 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.
A company uses Amazon RDS to run their production database. Under the AWS Shared Responsibility Model, who is responsible for patching the underlying database engine software?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS, because RDS is a managed service that abstracts OS and engine management
Amazon RDS is a fully managed database service that automates the patching of the underlying database engine software. Under the AWS Shared Responsibility Model, AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud, which includes managing the host operating system and the database engine patches. The customer is responsible for data, access management, and application-level security, not the engine software patching.
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 customer, because they chose to run a relational database
Why it's wrong here
For EC2-based databases, the customer patches the OS and database software. For managed RDS, the model is different — AWS handles engine patching.
- ✓
AWS, because RDS is a managed service that abstracts OS and engine management
Why this is correct
RDS is a managed database service. AWS is responsible for patching the database engine (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.), the underlying OS, and the hardware. This is why RDS sits on the 'AWS manages' side for engine patching, unlike a self-managed DB on EC2.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A shared responsibility where AWS and the customer each patch different components
Why it's wrong here
For RDS engine patching specifically, it is AWS's responsibility. While some configuration decisions belong to the customer, engine patching is managed by AWS.
- ✗
A third-party DBA contracted by the customer
Why it's wrong here
The Shared Responsibility Model is between AWS and the customer. Third parties contracted by the customer are still considered the customer's responsibility in this model.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the customer's responsibility for managing database configuration (e.g., parameter groups, backups) with the engine patching, leading them to incorrectly select option A or C, when in fact AWS handles all underlying infrastructure and engine software patching in RDS.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RDS uses a managed service model where AWS controls the underlying EC2 instances, operating system, and database engine (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle). Patching is applied during maintenance windows using mechanisms like rolling updates for Multi-AZ deployments to minimize downtime. In a real-world scenario, if a critical security patch is released for the database engine, AWS applies it automatically or via a scheduled maintenance window, while the customer must still patch their application code or database schema if needed.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CLF-C02 question test?
Cloud Concepts — This question tests Cloud Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS, because RDS is a managed service that abstracts OS and engine management — Amazon RDS is a fully managed database service that automates the patching of the underlying database engine software. Under the AWS Shared Responsibility Model, AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud, which includes managing the host operating system and the database engine patches. The customer is responsible for data, access management, and application-level security, not the engine software patching.
What should I do if I get this CLF-C02 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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CLF-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CLF-C02 exam.
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