The correct answer is to enable encryption for the RDS DB instance at creation time. This is necessary because Amazon RDS encryption at rest for MySQL must be configured when the instance is first launched; once the instance is running, encryption cannot be added retroactively. The encryption is handled transparently using AWS KMS, securing the underlying storage, automated backups, read replicas, and snapshots. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding that encryption at rest is a creation-time decision, not a post-launch toggle. A common trap is confusing network-level controls—like VPC security groups or subnet settings—with data-at-rest encryption, or assuming an `enforce_ssl` parameter exists in RDS for MySQL (it does not; SSL enforcement is managed via the DB parameter group). Memory tip: think “encrypt at birth, not after birth”—if you miss the checkbox during creation, you must migrate to a new encrypted instance.
DEA-C01 Data Security and Governance Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data security and governance. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 for MySQL to store financial data. A compliance requirement mandates that all database connections must be encrypted. Which configuration step is necessary?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable encryption for the RDS DB instance at creation time.
Option D is correct because enabling encryption for RDS instances requires using a DB instance that supports encryption and enabling it at creation. Option A is wrong because VPC security groups control network access, not encryption. Option B is wrong because RDS does not support enforcing encryption at the subnet level. Option C is wrong because RDS does not have a parameter enforce_ssl; it needs to be enabled in the DB parameter group.
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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Set the RDS parameter enforce_ssl to 1.
Why it's wrong here
MySQL uses require_secure_transport, not enforce_ssl.
✗
Create the RDS DB instance in a private subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Private subnet does not enforce encryption.
✓
Enable encryption for the RDS DB instance at creation time.
Why this is correct
Encryption at rest and in transit can be enabled at creation; SSL/TLS can be enforced via parameter group.
Configure the VPC security group to only allow traffic from certain IPs.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups control access, not encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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
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.
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 — This question tests Data Security and Governance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable encryption for the RDS DB instance at creation time. — Option D is correct because enabling encryption for RDS instances requires using a DB instance that supports encryption and enabling it at creation. Option A is wrong because VPC security groups control network access, not encryption. Option B is wrong because RDS does not support enforcing encryption at the subnet level. Option C is wrong because RDS does not have a parameter enforce_ssl; it needs to be enabled in the DB parameter group.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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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