The answer is that the 'rds.logs_to_cloudwatch' parameter must be set to 1 for audit logs to appear in CloudWatch. Even with 'pgaudit.log' enabled and 'log_destination' set to 'csvlog', RDS for PostgreSQL will not forward any logs—including audit logs—to CloudWatch unless this specific instance-level parameter is explicitly configured. This is a deliberate design: RDS decouples database-level logging from the CloudWatch export mechanism, so enabling audit logging alone is insufficient. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the RDS parameter group hierarchy and the distinct setting required for log export, a common trap where candidates focus only on database parameters like 'pgaudit.log' or confuse CloudTrail with CloudWatch Logs. Remember the memory tip: "To watch logs in the cloud, you must first set the switch to one"—the 'rds.logs_to_cloudwatch' parameter is that binary on/off switch.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 has a multi-AZ RDS for PostgreSQL DB instance. The security team wants to ensure that database audit logs are stored in CloudWatch Logs for real-time monitoring. The team enabled the 'pgaudit.log' parameter and set 'log_destination' to 'csvlog'. However, logs are not appearing in CloudWatch. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The 'rds.logs_to_cloudwatch' parameter is not set to 1.
Option D is correct because RDS publishes logs to CloudWatch only if the 'rds.logs_to_cloudwatch' parameter is set to 1. Option A is wrong because the instance is multi-AZ, which does not affect log delivery. Option B is wrong because the parameter group is associated; the issue is the missing parameter. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail is not involved.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The DB instance is multi-AZ, which prevents log delivery to CloudWatch.
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ does not block log delivery.
✗
AWS CloudTrail is not enabled for the RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail is not required for log delivery.
✗
The DB parameter group is not associated with the DB instance.
Why it's wrong here
If not associated, other parameters would not work; likely associated.
✓
The 'rds.logs_to_cloudwatch' parameter is not set to 1.
Why this is correct
This parameter must be enabled for logs to be published to CloudWatch.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 'rds.logs_to_cloudwatch' parameter is not set to 1. — Option D is correct because RDS publishes logs to CloudWatch only if the 'rds.logs_to_cloudwatch' parameter is set to 1. Option A is wrong because the instance is multi-AZ, which does not affect log delivery. Option B is wrong because the parameter group is associated; the issue is the missing parameter. Option C is wrong because CloudTrail is not involved.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is using an RDS for MySQL DB instance encrypted at rest with AWS KMS. The security team requires that all access to the database be logged, including queries that fail due to authentication errors. Which configuration meets this requirement?
hard
✓ A.Enable the RDS audit log by setting the 'audit_log_enabled' parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group and export logs to CloudWatch Logs.
B.Enable RDS Enhanced Monitoring and publish metrics to CloudWatch.
C.Enable AWS CloudTrail for the RDS instance and store logs in S3.
D.Use S3 server access logs to capture database connection attempts.
Why A: Option C is correct because enabling RDS Enhanced Monitoring does not log queries; RDS does not have native query logging for authentication failures. The correct approach is to enable RDS audit logs by setting the 'audit_log_enabled' parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group, and enabling log exports to CloudWatch Logs. However, for MySQL, audit logs capture connection attempts and queries. But none of the options directly mention that. The best answer is to use AWS CloudTrail for RDS API calls and RDS audit logs for database-level logs. Option C enables audit logs and exports to CloudWatch Logs, which captures authentication failures. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail logs only control plane operations, not data plane queries. Option B is wrong because Enhanced Monitoring provides OS metrics, not query logs. Option D is wrong because storing logs in S3 requires enabling audit logs and exporting them. The correct answer is not listed perfectly, but C is closest.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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This DBS-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 DBS-C01 exam.
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