- A
Enable server-side encryption with S3-managed keys (SSE-S3) on the DynamoDB table.
Why wrong: SSE-S3 is for Amazon S3, not DynamoDB.
- B
Attach a bucket policy to restrict access to the DynamoDB table.
Why wrong: Bucket policies are for S3 buckets, not DynamoDB tables.
- C
Specify a customer-managed KMS key in the DynamoDB table creation.
DynamoDB supports encryption with a customer-managed KMS key at table creation.
- D
Modify the existing DynamoDB table to enable encryption at rest.
Why wrong: Encryption at rest in DynamoDB can only be enabled at table creation.
- E
Create an IAM policy that allows dynamodb:GetItem and dynamodb:PutItem only when the request is made by the specific IAM role.
IAM policies can restrict actions to a specific role using the 'aws:PrincipalArn' condition.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create the DynamoDB table with a customer-managed AWS KMS key and attach an IAM policy that restricts access to a specific IAM role. This combination meets the encryption and access control requirements because DynamoDB encryption at rest supports customer-managed KMS keys only at table creation time, and IAM policies can enforce role-based access by using conditions like `aws:SourceIdentity` or `aws:PrincipalArn` to allow `dynamodb:GetItem` and `dynamodb:PutItem` exclusively from that role. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that DynamoDB encryption cannot be enabled after table creation without recreating the table, and that SSE-C or bucket policies are irrelevant to DynamoDB—a common trap is confusing S3 encryption methods with DynamoDB. Remember the memory tip: "Key at create, role at gate"—the KMS key must be set when the table is born, and the IAM role is the only key that unlocks the gate.
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 an Amazon DynamoDB table that stores sensitive user data. The security team requires that all data is encrypted at rest using a customer-managed AWS KMS key. Additionally, they want to ensure that the table can only be accessed by a specific IAM role. Which combination of steps should be taken to meet these requirements? (Select 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
Specify a customer-managed KMS key in the DynamoDB table creation.
Options A and B are correct. Option A: You can specify a customer-managed KMS key when creating the table. Option B: To restrict access to a specific IAM role, you should use an IAM policy that denies access unless the request comes from that role. Option C is wrong because SSE-C is for S3, not DynamoDB. Option D is wrong because encryption cannot be enabled after table creation without recreating the table. Option E is wrong because bucket policies are for S3, not DynamoDB.
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.
- ✗
Enable server-side encryption with S3-managed keys (SSE-S3) on the DynamoDB table.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-S3 is for Amazon S3, not DynamoDB.
- ✗
Attach a bucket policy to restrict access to the DynamoDB table.
Why it's wrong here
Bucket policies are for S3 buckets, not DynamoDB tables.
- ✓
Specify a customer-managed KMS key in the DynamoDB table creation.
Why this is correct
DynamoDB supports encryption with a customer-managed KMS key at table creation.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Modify the existing DynamoDB table to enable encryption at rest.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest in DynamoDB can only be enabled at table creation.
- ✓
Create an IAM policy that allows dynamodb:GetItem and dynamodb:PutItem only when the request is made by the specific IAM role.
Why this is correct
IAM policies can restrict actions to a specific role using the 'aws:PrincipalArn' condition.
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 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.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
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: Specify a customer-managed KMS key in the DynamoDB table creation. — Options A and B are correct. Option A: You can specify a customer-managed KMS key when creating the table. Option B: To restrict access to a specific IAM role, you should use an IAM policy that denies access unless the request comes from that role. Option C is wrong because SSE-C is for S3, not DynamoDB. Option D is wrong because encryption cannot be enabled after table creation without recreating the table. Option E is wrong because bucket policies are for S3, not DynamoDB.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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