Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create views in Redshift that apply masking functions. This approach works because Amazon Redshift does not have a native dynamic data masking feature like some other databases, but you can achieve the same effect by defining views that use SQL functions such as CASE, SUBSTRING, or custom masking logic to obfuscate PII columns at query time. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to implement data protection within Redshift without relying on external services, and it often appears as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose S3 Object Lambda or Lake Formation. Remember that Redshift views are evaluated dynamically, so the underlying table data remains unchanged while the masked output is presented to users. A useful memory tip: “Views veil values” — think of a view as a lens that hides sensitive details while still pointing to the real data.
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data security and governance. 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 is designing a data lake on AWS and must comply with GDPR requirements. The company needs to implement data masking for personally identifiable information (PII) columns in Amazon Redshift. Which feature should be used?
Use Amazon RDS Proxy to intercept queries
Why wrong: RDS Proxy is for RDS, not Redshift.
Amazon S3 Object Lambda to mask data on the fly
Why wrong: S3 Object Lambda works at the S3 level, not Redshift.
Create views in Redshift that apply masking functions
Redshift views can apply masking functions to hide PII.
AWS Lake Formation row-level security
Why wrong: Lake Formation row-level security does not mask columns.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create views in Redshift that apply masking functions
Option C is correct. Redshift supports dynamic data masking through views that apply masking functions. Option A is wrong because S3 Object Lambda is for S3. Option B is wrong because Lake Formation does not mask data in Redshift directly. Option D is wrong because RDS Proxy is for RDS, not Redshift.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use Amazon RDS Proxy to intercept queries
Why it's wrong here
RDS Proxy is for RDS, not Redshift.
Amazon S3 Object Lambda to mask data on the fly
Why it's wrong here
S3 Object Lambda works at the S3 level, not Redshift.
Create views in Redshift that apply masking functions
Why this is correct
Redshift views can apply masking functions to hide PII.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
AWS Lake Formation row-level security
Why it's wrong here
Lake Formation row-level security does not mask columns.
Common exam traps
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DEA-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Data Security and Governance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Data Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: Create views in Redshift that apply masking functions — Option C is correct. Redshift supports dynamic data masking through views that apply masking functions. Option A is wrong because S3 Object Lambda is for S3. Option B is wrong because Lake Formation does not mask data in Redshift directly. Option D is wrong because RDS Proxy is for RDS, not Redshift.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DEA-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DEA-C01 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 DEA-C01 exam.
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