The answer is to enable encryption at rest, use a KMS key, and ensure automated backups and snapshots are encrypted. These three steps are required because Amazon RDS encryption at rest uses AWS Key Management Service (KMS) to protect data, and once encryption is enabled for the DB instance, all underlying storage, automated backups, read replicas, and snapshots are automatically encrypted using the same KMS key. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that encryption at rest is a one-time setting applied at instance launch, and a common trap is confusing SSL (encryption in transit) with at-rest encryption or thinking parameter groups can enable it. Remember that encryption at rest is a permanent, instance-level toggle tied to KMS, and encrypted instances force encrypted backups—so always look for the KMS key and backup encryption options together. A helpful memory tip is “KMS, instance, and backups—all three must lock.”
DEA-C01 Data Security and Governance Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data security and governance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 must encrypt all data at rest in their Amazon RDS for MySQL instance. Which THREE steps are required to achieve this? (Select THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use an AWS KMS key to encrypt the instance
Options A, C, and D are correct. Option A (enable encryption at rest) is required. Option C (use KMS key) is needed to manage encryption keys. Option D (ensure backups are encrypted) is necessary because encrypted instances require encrypted backups. Option B (enable SSL) is for encryption in transit, not at rest. Option E (use parameter groups) does not enable encryption.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable encryption at rest when creating the DB instance
Why this is correct
Encryption at rest must be enabled at creation time.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Modify the DB parameter group to require encryption
Why it's wrong here
Parameter groups do not control encryption at rest.
✓
Ensure that automated backups and snapshots are encrypted
Why this is correct
Backups of encrypted instances must also be encrypted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Data Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an AWS KMS key to encrypt the instance — Options A, C, and D are correct. Option A (enable encryption at rest) is required. Option C (use KMS key) is needed to manage encryption keys. Option D (ensure backups are encrypted) is necessary because encrypted instances require encrypted backups. Option B (enable SSL) is for encryption in transit, not at rest. Option E (use parameter groups) does not enable encryption.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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