Quick Answer
The correct answer is to configure Redshift to use an HSM for encryption. This integration works because Amazon Redshift supports AWS CloudHSM as an external key management solution, allowing the cluster to offload encryption key storage and cryptographic operations to a dedicated hardware security module that you control. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the distinction between AWS-managed key stores (like KMS) and customer-managed HSMs for compliance-driven encryption requirements. A common trap is confusing CloudHSM with KMS—remember that KMS is a managed service for key creation and rotation, while CloudHSM provides a dedicated HSM appliance for direct key storage. The key memory tip is: if the policy says “keys stored in CloudHSM,” think HSM integration, not KMS.
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 data engineer is configuring an Amazon Redshift cluster to encrypt data at rest. The company policy requires that encryption keys be stored in AWS CloudHSM. Which integration should the engineer use to meet this requirement?
Use AWS KMS with a customer managed key.
Why wrong: KMS is separate from CloudHSM; CloudHSM is required.
Configure Redshift to use an HSM for encryption.
Redshift supports integration with CloudHSM for key storage.
Enable encryption using the AWS Redshift SSL/TLS feature.
Why wrong: SSL/TLS is for data in transit, not at rest.
Use Redshift automatic key rotation.
Why wrong: Automatic key rotation is a KMS feature, not CloudHSM.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Configure Redshift to use an HSM for encryption.
Amazon Redshift supports AWS CloudHSM for encryption key management. The integration is done via the Hardware Security Module (HSM) integration. Option A is correct. Option B is for KMS. Option C is for database encryption, not key storage. Option D is for key rotation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use AWS KMS with a customer managed key.
Why it's wrong here
KMS is separate from CloudHSM; CloudHSM is required.
Configure Redshift to use an HSM for encryption.
Why this is correct
Redshift supports integration with CloudHSM for key storage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable encryption using the AWS Redshift SSL/TLS feature.
Use Redshift automatic key rotation.
Why it's wrong here
Automatic key rotation is a KMS feature, not CloudHSM.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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
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.
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FAQ
Data Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Configure Redshift to use an HSM for encryption. — Amazon Redshift supports AWS CloudHSM for encryption key management. The integration is done via the Hardware Security Module (HSM) integration. Option A is correct. Option B is for KMS. Option C is for database encryption, not key storage. Option D is for key rotation.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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