The answer is enabling the rds.force_ssl parameter in the RDS parameter group, along with configuring the MySQL JDBC driver with the useSSL property and enforcing SSL/TLS on the EC2 client. These three actions work together to ensure encryption in transit between EC2 and RDS MySQL by forcing all connections to use SSL certificates, which prevents man-in-the-middle attacks and protects data as it travels over the network. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between encryption in transit and encryption at rest—a common trap is confusing the rds.force_ssl parameter with enabling encryption at rest on the RDS instance. Remember, VPC peering alone does not encrypt traffic, and encryption at rest is a separate concern handled by KMS keys. A useful memory tip: think “force SSL for the wire, not the file” to keep transit versus at rest straight.
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 company needs to implement a data encryption strategy for data in transit between an Amazon EC2 instance and an Amazon RDS for MySQL database. Which THREE actions should be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the RDS instance to require SSL connections
Options A, B, and D are correct. Enforcing SSL/TLS, enabling SSL parameter, and using a JDBC driver with SSL property ensure encryption in transit. Option C is wrong because encryption at rest is separate. Option E is wrong because VPC peering doesn't encrypt data.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Configure the RDS instance to require SSL connections
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DEA-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Data Security and Governance — This question tests Data Security and Governance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the RDS instance to require SSL connections — Options A, B, and D are correct. Enforcing SSL/TLS, enabling SSL parameter, and using a JDBC driver with SSL property ensure encryption in transit. Option C is wrong because encryption at rest is separate. Option E is wrong because VPC peering doesn't encrypt data.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DEA-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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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