DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
A company is designing a security architecture for Amazon DynamoDB. They need to ensure that only authorized applications can access the data, and that data in transit is encrypted. Which THREE steps should be taken? (Choose THREE.)
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
✓
Attach an IAM policy that grants access only to specific IAM roles or users.
The correct answers are B, C, and E. IAM policies ensure only authorized principals can access DynamoDB. AWS PrivateLink VPC endpoints keep traffic within the AWS network, enhancing security. HTTPS (TLS) encrypts data in transit, which is required for confidentiality. Option A is incorrect because KMS keys are for encryption at rest, not in transit. Option D is incorrect because security groups are associated with network interfaces, not DynamoDB tables; they can be used with VPC endpoints but not directly on the table.
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 customer-managed KMS key to encrypt data in transit.
Why it's wrong here
Customer-managed KMS keys are utilised for encrypting DynamoDB data *at rest*, providing granular control over the encryption keys. However, data *in transit* to and from DynamoDB is automatically secured via TLS/SSL, a default AWS security measure, rendering explicit KMS key application for transit encryption redundant. This option is tempting as KMS is indeed crucial for DynamoDB encryption, but its primary function here relates to stored data, not network communication.
- ✓
Attach an IAM policy that grants access only to specific IAM roles or users.
Why this is correct
IAM policies control access to DynamoDB.
- ✓
Use an AWS PrivateLink VPC endpoint to access DynamoDB from within a VPC.
Why this is correct
PrivateLink keeps traffic within AWS network.
- ✗
Configure a security group to restrict inbound traffic to the DynamoDB table.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups are not supported for DynamoDB tables.
- ✓
Use HTTPS (TLS) for all API calls to DynamoDB.
Why this is correct
DynamoDB enforces HTTPS for all API calls.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.