DEA-C01 Data Security and Governance Practice Question
A data engineer needs to ensure that data in transit between an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL database and an application is encrypted. Which configuration should be used?
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
✓
Enable SSL/TLS for the database connection
Enabling SSL/TLS for the database connection encrypts the data in transit between the application and the RDS PostgreSQL instance, ensuring confidentiality. Option A (VPC peering) provides network connectivity but does not encrypt traffic. Option C (encryption at rest) protects data stored on disk, not in transit. Option D (IAM database authentication) controls access but does not encrypt the connection.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Use VPC peering to connect the application to the database
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering provides private network routing between VPCs; it does not encrypt the PostgreSQL session itself, and traffic can still traverse unencrypted links. It is tempting because private connectivity reduces exposure, making it suitable for network-isolation requirements rather than transport encryption.
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Enable SSL/TLS for the database connection
Why this is correct
SSL/TLS encrypts the wire protocol between the application and PostgreSQL, protecting credentials and query results from interception. Enabling it on the RDS connection satisfies the requirement for encryption of data in transit rather than at rest.
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Enable encryption at rest for the RDS instance
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest protects stored data and volumes, not packets moving between the application and PostgreSQL. It is tempting because RDS encryption is a common compliance control, making it correct when the requirement is protecting data on disk rather than data in transit.
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Use IAM database authentication
Why it's wrong here
IAM database authentication verifies identity with short-lived tokens; it does not encrypt the wire protocol between client and PostgreSQL. It is tempting because it hardens access control, which suits credential-management scenarios, but TLS with rds.force_ssl is what encrypts data in transit.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.