The correct answer combines enabling automatic key rotation, activating CloudTrail logging, and creating a KMS key policy that restricts usage to specific IAM roles. This trio satisfies the security requirements because automatic rotation ensures the customer-managed KMS key is renewed annually without manual intervention, CloudTrail logs every KMS API call to provide auditable access records, and a restrictive key policy enforces that only authorized IAM roles can use the key for DynamoDB encryption. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of DynamoDB encryption with customer-managed KMS keys, a common scenario where candidates mistakenly think CloudHSM or application-level encryption is needed. The trap is that DynamoDB server-side encryption is fully managed by KMS, not the application, and CloudHSM is irrelevant here. Memory tip: think "Policy, Rotate, Log" — the three pillars of secure key governance.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. 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 is deploying an Amazon DynamoDB table with server-side encryption using a customer-managed AWS KMS key. The security team requires that the key be automatically rotated every year and that access to the key be logged. Which THREE steps 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
✓
Enable automatic key rotation for the KMS key.
To meet the requirements, enable automatic key rotation (Option A), enable CloudTrail logging (Option B), and create a KMS key policy that restricts usage (Option C). Option D is wrong because CloudHSM is not used here. Option E is wrong because DynamoDB encryption is managed by KMS, not by the application.
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.
✓
Enable automatic key rotation for the KMS key.
Why this is correct
KMS supports automatic rotation yearly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS CloudHSM to store the key and manage rotation.
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM does not integrate directly with DynamoDB encryption.
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log KMS API calls.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs all KMS actions for auditing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Create a KMS key policy that allows only specific IAM roles to use the key.
Why this is correct
Key policy controls access to the key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the DynamoDB table to use client-side encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is not needed; server-side encryption uses KMS.
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.
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 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.
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.
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: Enable automatic key rotation for the KMS key. — To meet the requirements, enable automatic key rotation (Option A), enable CloudTrail logging (Option B), and create a KMS key policy that restricts usage (Option C). Option D is wrong because CloudHSM is not used here. Option E is wrong because DynamoDB encryption is managed by KMS, not by the application.
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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Question Discussion
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