- A
Create a backup of the table, restore the backup to a new table, and specify the customer-managed key during restoration.
Why wrong: Restored table inherits encryption from the backup; cannot change key during restore.
- B
Use the AWS Management Console to modify the table and select the customer-managed key.
Why wrong: DynamoDB does not allow changing encryption key on an existing table.
- C
Create a new DynamoDB table with the customer-managed key, use AWS Glue to copy the data from the old table to the new table, and then delete the old table.
This is the only way to change encryption key.
- D
Use the AWS CLI 'update-table' command with the --sse-specification parameter to change the key.
Why wrong: The update-table command does not support changing the encryption key.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a new DynamoDB table with the customer-managed KMS key, copy the data using AWS Glue, and delete the old table. This is correct because DynamoDB does not support in-place encryption updates; encryption settings are immutable once a table is created, so you must provision a new table to change the encryption key to a customer-managed one. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that DynamoDB encryption is a table-level attribute set at creation, and common traps include assuming you can modify encryption on an existing table or that a backup restore allows key changes. Remember the key concept: encryption is a table creation decision, not a modification option. For a memory tip, think "Create, Copy, Delete" — you cannot change the lock on an existing door, you must build a new one with the right key.
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 with global secondary indexes (GSIs) that store personally identifiable information (PII). The security team requires that all PII is encrypted at rest using a customer-managed KMS key. The table already exists and is encrypted with the default AWS managed key. What is the MOST efficient way to change the encryption to a customer-managed key?
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 a new DynamoDB table with the customer-managed key, use AWS Glue to copy the data from the old table to the new table, and then delete the old table.
Option C is correct because you must create a new table with the desired encryption, copy the data, and then delete the old table. DynamoDB does not support updating encryption on an existing table. Option A is wrong because DynamoDB does not support in-place encryption update. Option B is wrong because restoring a backup does not allow changing the encryption key. Option D is wrong because you cannot change encryption after table creation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a backup of the table, restore the backup to a new table, and specify the customer-managed key during restoration.
Why it's wrong here
Restored table inherits encryption from the backup; cannot change key during restore.
- ✗
Use the AWS Management Console to modify the table and select the customer-managed key.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB does not allow changing encryption key on an existing table.
- ✓
Create a new DynamoDB table with the customer-managed key, use AWS Glue to copy the data from the old table to the new table, and then delete the old table.
Why this is correct
This is the only way to change encryption key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the AWS CLI 'update-table' command with the --sse-specification parameter to change the key.
Why it's wrong here
The update-table command does not support changing the encryption key.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The update-table command does not support changing the encryption key.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a new DynamoDB table with the customer-managed key, use AWS Glue to copy the data from the old table to the new table, and then delete the old table. — Option C is correct because you must create a new table with the desired encryption, copy the data, and then delete the old table. DynamoDB does not support updating encryption on an existing table. Option A is wrong because DynamoDB does not support in-place encryption update. Option B is wrong because restoring a backup does not allow changing the encryption key. Option D is wrong because you cannot change encryption after table creation.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on DBS-C01
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 Amazon DynamoDB with a global table. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest using a customer-managed KMS key. The table was originally created with AWS managed key encryption. The company wants to switch to a customer-managed key without downtime. What should they do?
medium- A.Use the UpdateTable API to change the KMS key to the customer-managed key.
- B.Enable DynamoDB Streams on the old table and use a Lambda function to copy data to a new table with the customer-managed key.
- C.Create a new replica in the global table with the customer-managed key and then delete the old replica.
- ✓ D.Create a new table with the customer-managed key, export the data from the old table using AWS Data Pipeline, and import into the new table.
Why D: Option C is correct because you cannot modify the encryption key of an existing DynamoDB table. You must create a new table with the desired key and migrate data. Option A is not possible. Option B does not work for global tables? Actually, for global tables, you can update the encryption key? No, it's not supported. Option D is the correct process.
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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