The correct actions are to configure AWS Glue to use a KMS key for encrypting data written to S3 and to store database credentials in AWS Secrets Manager. This combination directly addresses the need to protect PII data in an AWS Glue pipeline by securing data at rest and managing secrets separately from code. KMS provides envelope encryption for S3 objects, ensuring that even if an unauthorized party accesses the bucket, the data remains unreadable, while Secrets Manager rotates and encrypts credentials used by Glue to connect to databases. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model and the distinction between encryption at rest (KMS) and access control (Secrets Manager). A common trap is confusing SSE-S3 with KMS—SSE-S3 uses Amazon-managed keys, not customer-controlled KMS keys, so it does not meet the requirement for explicit key management. Remember the mnemonic: "Glue the KMS key to your S3 bucket, and lock your secrets in a Manager."
DEA-C01 Data Security and Governance Practice Question
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 designing a data pipeline that processes PII data using AWS Glue and stores results in S3. Which TWO actions should be taken to protect the data? (Choose 2)
Use S3 default encryption with SSE-S3 for the output bucket.
Why wrong: SSE-S3 does not use KMS, but the question is about protecting PII; SSE-S3 is acceptable but not the best with KMS. However, this is a distractor.
B
Store database credentials in AWS Secrets Manager and reference them in Glue connections.
Secrets Manager secures credentials.
C
Enable S3 object deletion protection by setting a retention policy.
Why wrong: Retention policy is for compliance, not encryption.
D
Configure AWS Glue to use a KMS key for encrypting data written to S3.
Glue can use KMS for encryption at rest.
E
Use HTTPS for all data transfer between Glue and S3.
Why wrong: HTTPS is already used, but doesn't address at-rest encryption.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Store database credentials in AWS Secrets Manager and reference them in Glue connections.
Options A and D are correct. Option A: Glue can use KMS to encrypt data at rest. Option D: Secrets Manager securely stores database credentials. Option B is wrong because SSE-S3 does not use KMS. Option C is wrong because deleting data after processing is not a security best practice for compliance (may need to retain). Option E is wrong because HTTPS is not a substitute for encryption at rest.
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.
✗
Use S3 default encryption with SSE-S3 for the output bucket.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 does not use KMS, but the question is about protecting PII; SSE-S3 is acceptable but not the best with KMS. However, this is a distractor.
✓
Store database credentials in AWS Secrets Manager and reference them in Glue connections.
Why this is correct
Secrets Manager secures credentials.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable S3 object deletion protection by setting a retention policy.
Why it's wrong here
Retention policy is for compliance, not encryption.
✓
Configure AWS Glue to use a KMS key for encrypting data written to S3.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use HTTPS for all data transfer between Glue and S3.
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS is already used, but doesn't address at-rest encryption.
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 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
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: Store database credentials in AWS Secrets Manager and reference them in Glue connections. — Options A and D are correct. Option A: Glue can use KMS to encrypt data at rest. Option D: Secrets Manager securely stores database credentials. Option B is wrong because SSE-S3 does not use KMS. Option C is wrong because deleting data after processing is not a security best practice for compliance (may need to retain). Option E is wrong because HTTPS is not a substitute for encryption at rest.
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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