DEA-C01 Data Security and Governance Practice Question
A company uses Amazon Redshift for data warehousing. The security team requires that all data loading into Redshift be encrypted in transit. Which configuration ensures this requirement is met?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing encryption at rest (SSE on the cluster) with encryption in transit (SSL required) — candidates pick server-side encryption thinking it covers network traffic.
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
✓
Configure the Redshift cluster to require SSL connections
Configuring the Redshift cluster to require SSL connections (require_ssl = true in the parameter group) enforces TLS for all client connections, ensuring data is encrypted in transit during loads. This is the direct configuration that satisfies the in-transit encryption requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a VPC security group to restrict access
Why it's wrong here
A VPC security group filters which hosts may reach Redshift on given ports; it does not encrypt the traffic that passes. It is tempting because it is a legitimate network control, and would be correct for restricting access by source IP or subnet, but the requirement is encryption in transit, satisfied by TLS.
- ✓
Configure the Redshift cluster to require SSL connections
Why this is correct
Setting the cluster parameter require_ssl to true rejects any connection or COPY/UNLOAD operation that does not use TLS, so data in transit is encrypted. This directly satisfies the mandate that all loading into Redshift be encrypted in transit, without altering at-rest encryption or IAM permissions.
- ✗
Use client-side encryption before loading data
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption protects data before it leaves the source and while stored, but the bytes still travel to Redshift over an unencrypted connection unless TLS is enforced. It is tempting because it is a real encryption mechanism, and would suit protecting data at rest in untrusted storage, not transit.
- ✗
Enable server-side encryption on the Redshift cluster
Why it's wrong here
Server-side encryption protects data at rest on cluster storage and disks; it does not encrypt the network path during loading. It is tempting because it is a genuine Redshift encryption control, and would satisfy an at-rest requirement, but the stem demands encryption in transit, which requires TLS on the connection.
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Variation 1. A company uses Amazon Redshift for data warehousing. The security team requires that all data in transit between the Redshift cluster and clients be encrypted. Which feature should be enabled?
easy- A.Client-side VPN
- ✓ B.SSL/TLS encryption
- C.AWS KMS key
- D.VPC peering
Why B: Amazon Redshift supports SSL/TLS encryption for client connections to ensure data in transit is encrypted. Option A (Client-side VPN) is not a Redshift feature for encrypting client connections. Option C (AWS KMS key) is used for encrypting data at rest, not in transit. Option D (VPC peering) does not provide encryption of data in transit between the cluster and clients.
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Amazon Web Services exam blueprint
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.