The correct steps are to enable encryption at cluster creation, specify a customer-managed AWS KMS key, and enable automatic key rotation for that KMS key. This works because Redshift encryption at rest with KMS key rotation requires a customer-managed key to control the rotation schedule, as AWS managed keys do not support user-controlled rotation. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that Redshift encryption must be set at launch—it cannot be added later—and that the cluster itself does not rotate its encryption key automatically; instead, KMS key rotation handles the yearly compliance requirement. A common trap is assuming you can enable encryption on an existing cluster or that Redshift has a built-in rotation feature. Memory tip: “Create, Custom, and Rotate” — you must create the cluster with encryption, use a custom KMS key, and rotate that key in KMS, not in Redshift.
DEA-C01 Data Security and Governance Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data security and governance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 data engineer is configuring an Amazon Redshift cluster for compliance. The cluster must encrypt data at rest and automatically rotate the encryption key every year. Which steps should the engineer take? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create the Redshift cluster with encryption enabled.
Options A, C, and D are correct. A: Enable encryption at cluster creation. C: Use a customer-managed KMS key. D: Enable automatic key rotation for the KMS key. Option B is wrong because encryption cannot be enabled on an existing cluster. Option E is wrong because rotation of the cluster's encryption key is not automatic in Redshift; KMS key rotation handles it.
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.
✓
Create the Redshift cluster with encryption enabled.
Why this is correct
Encryption must be enabled at creation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable automatic yearly rotation of the KMS key.
Why this is correct
KMS supports automatic rotation for customer-managed keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the Redshift cluster to rotate its encryption key every year.
Why it's wrong here
Redshift does not rotate the cluster encryption key automatically; KMS key rotation is separate.
✗
Modify an existing unencrypted cluster to enable encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Redshift does not support enabling encryption on an existing cluster.
✓
Specify a customer-managed AWS KMS key for encryption.
Why this is correct
Customer-managed keys allow control over rotation.
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: Create the Redshift cluster with encryption enabled. — Options A, C, and D are correct. A: Enable encryption at cluster creation. C: Use a customer-managed KMS key. D: Enable automatic key rotation for the KMS key. Option B is wrong because encryption cannot be enabled on an existing cluster. Option E is wrong because rotation of the cluster's encryption key is not automatic in Redshift; KMS key rotation handles it.
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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