- A
Use a multi-Region KMS key to encrypt the Aurora cluster in the primary region.
A multi-Region key allows the replica to be encrypted in the secondary region using the same key material.
- B
Ensure the DB cluster parameter group is the same in both regions.
Why wrong: Parameter groups can be different; replication does not require them to be identical.
- C
Create a cross-Region read replica in the secondary region.
Why wrong: Aurora does not support cross-Region read replicas; instead, you create a cross-Region Aurora replica.
- D
Create a KMS key in the secondary region (us-west-2) and grant the Aurora service permission to use it.
The replica in the secondary region must be encrypted with a KMS key in that region.
- E
Enable cross-Region replication on the Aurora cluster in the primary region.
Cross-region replication must be explicitly enabled for the cluster.
Quick Answer
The answer is to enable cross-region replication on the Aurora cluster in the primary region and use a multi-Region KMS key. This works because a multi-Region KMS key has the same key material and metadata replicated to the secondary region, allowing the cross-region read replica to decrypt the encrypted data at rest without requiring a separate re-encryption step. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that Aurora cross-region replication with encryption at rest depends on KMS key replication, not manual key copying—a common trap is assuming you must create a new key in the secondary region. Remember that the primary cluster’s encryption key must be a multi-Region key from the start, as standard KMS keys cannot be used for cross-region replication. A useful memory tip: “Multi-Region key for multi-region DR” ensures your encrypted Aurora data stays decipherable across regions.
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 designing a disaster recovery strategy for an Amazon Aurora MySQL database. The database stores sensitive data that must be encrypted at rest. The primary region is us-east-1, and the secondary region is us-west-2. Which THREE steps are required to set up cross-region replication with encryption at rest?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
Use a multi-Region KMS key to encrypt the Aurora cluster in the primary region.
Option A is correct because using a multi-Region KMS key allows the Aurora cluster in the primary region to be encrypted at rest with a key that can be replicated to the secondary region, ensuring that the cross-region read replica can decrypt the data without needing to re-encrypt it. This key is replicated automatically by AWS KMS to the secondary region, maintaining the same key material for encryption and decryption across regions.
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.
- ✓
Use a multi-Region KMS key to encrypt the Aurora cluster in the primary region.
Why this is correct
A multi-Region key allows the replica to be encrypted in the secondary region using the same key material.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Ensure the DB cluster parameter group is the same in both regions.
Why it's wrong here
Parameter groups can be different; replication does not require them to be identical.
- ✗
Create a cross-Region read replica in the secondary region.
Why it's wrong here
Aurora does not support cross-Region read replicas; instead, you create a cross-Region Aurora replica.
- ✓
Create a KMS key in the secondary region (us-west-2) and grant the Aurora service permission to use it.
Why this is correct
The replica in the secondary region must be encrypted with a KMS key in that region.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Enable cross-Region replication on the Aurora cluster in the primary region.
Why this is correct
Cross-region replication must be explicitly enabled for the cluster.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the steps required for setting up cross-region replication with encryption at rest with the general steps for creating a cross-region read replica, leading them to select Option C as a required step when it is actually an outcome of enabling replication, not a separate configuration step.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When using a multi-Region KMS key, AWS KMS replicates the key material to the specified secondary regions, allowing Aurora to use the same key for encryption in both regions without manual key import or cross-region key access. The Aurora service must be granted permissions to use the KMS key in the secondary region via a key policy, which is why Option D is required. Enabling cross-region replication on the primary cluster (Option E) triggers the creation of an encrypted read replica in the secondary region using the replicated KMS key.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
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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: Use a multi-Region KMS key to encrypt the Aurora cluster in the primary region. — Option A is correct because using a multi-Region KMS key allows the Aurora cluster in the primary region to be encrypted at rest with a key that can be replicated to the secondary region, ensuring that the cross-region read replica can decrypt the data without needing to re-encrypt it. This key is replicated automatically by AWS KMS to the secondary region, maintaining the same key material for encryption and decryption across regions.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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