- A
Enable server-side encryption with S3-managed keys (SSE-S3) on the DynamoDB table. [wrong]
Why wrong: Incorrect. Server-side encryption with S3-managed keys (SSE-S3) is for Amazon S3, not DynamoDB. DynamoDB encryption at rest uses AWS KMS.
- B
Disable encryption at rest to improve performance. [wrong]
Why wrong: Incorrect. Disabling encryption at rest would leave data unencrypted, which does not meet the security requirement.
- C
Specify an AWS KMS customer managed key for encryption if required. [wrong]
Why wrong: Incorrect. Specifying a customer managed key would use a key managed by the customer, not an AWS managed key. The requirement is to use an AWS managed key, so this option does not satisfy it.
- D
Use client-side encryption before writing data to DynamoDB. [wrong]
Why wrong: Incorrect. Client-side encryption encrypts data before sending to DynamoDB, but it does not address encryption at rest; it is an additional layer, not the required step.
- E
Create the DynamoDB table with encryption at rest enabled using an AWS managed key. [CORRECT]
Correct. Creating the DynamoDB table with encryption at rest enabled using an AWS managed key (the default) ensures all data is encrypted with a key owned and managed by AWS.
DEA-C01 DynamoDB Encryption at Rest Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. 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. A key principle to apply: dynamoDB Encryption at Rest. 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 using Amazon DynamoDB to store session data for a web application. The engineer wants to ensure that all data is encrypted at rest using an AWS managed key. Which TWO steps should the engineer take to achieve this? (Choose TWO.)
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
Create the DynamoDB table with encryption at rest enabled using an AWS managed key. [CORRECT]
Only option E is correct. DynamoDB encryption at rest is enabled by default for new tables using an AWS managed key (aws/dynamodb). Creating the table with encryption at rest enabled using an AWS managed key ensures all data is encrypted with a key managed by AWS. Option C is incorrect because specifying a customer managed key would override the default AWS managed key, which does not meet the requirement to use an AWS managed key. Options A, B, and D are incorrect: SSE-S3 is for S3, disabling encryption is unsafe and does not meet the requirement, and client-side encryption is separate from at-rest encryption.
Key principle: DynamoDB Encryption at Rest
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable server-side encryption with S3-managed keys (SSE-S3) on the DynamoDB table. [wrong]
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Server-side encryption with S3-managed keys (SSE-S3) is for Amazon S3, not DynamoDB. DynamoDB encryption at rest uses AWS KMS.
- ✗
Disable encryption at rest to improve performance. [wrong]
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Disabling encryption at rest would leave data unencrypted, which does not meet the security requirement.
- ✗
Specify an AWS KMS customer managed key for encryption if required. [wrong]
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Specifying a customer managed key would use a key managed by the customer, not an AWS managed key. The requirement is to use an AWS managed key, so this option does not satisfy it.
- ✗
Use client-side encryption before writing data to DynamoDB. [wrong]
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Client-side encryption encrypts data before sending to DynamoDB, but it does not address encryption at rest; it is an additional layer, not the required step.
- ✓
Create the DynamoDB table with encryption at rest enabled using an AWS managed key. [CORRECT]
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often confuse the encryption options across AWS services (e.g., applying S3-specific SSE-S3 to DynamoDB) or mistakenly think that specifying a customer managed key is equivalent to using an AWS managed key. The key distinction is that 'AWS managed key' means the key is owned and managed by AWS (e.g., aws/dynamodb), not a customer-managed KMS key.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB encryption at rest uses AES-256 encryption and integrates with AWS KMS to manage keys. When you enable encryption with an AWS managed key, DynamoDB automatically uses the default key alias 'aws/dynamodb', which is rotated annually and cannot be viewed or managed by the customer. In contrast, a customer managed key allows you to control key rotation, access policies, and auditing via CloudTrail, but incurs additional KMS costs.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- DynamoDB Encryption at Rest
- AWS Managed Key vs Customer Managed Key
TExam Day Tips
- 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
DynamoDB Encryption at Rest
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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review dynamoDB Encryption at Rest, then practise related DEA-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DEA-C01 question test?
Data Store Management — This question tests Data Store Management — DynamoDB Encryption at Rest.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create the DynamoDB table with encryption at rest enabled using an AWS managed key. [CORRECT] — Only option E is correct. DynamoDB encryption at rest is enabled by default for new tables using an AWS managed key (aws/dynamodb). Creating the table with encryption at rest enabled using an AWS managed key ensures all data is encrypted with a key managed by AWS. Option C is incorrect because specifying a customer managed key would override the default AWS managed key, which does not meet the requirement to use an AWS managed key. Options A, B, and D are incorrect: SSE-S3 is for S3, disabling encryption is unsafe and does not meet the requirement, and client-side encryption is separate from at-rest encryption.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Review dynamoDB Encryption at Rest, then practise related DEA-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
DynamoDB Encryption at Rest
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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