The correct answer is to enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS, which directly encrypts the underlying storage volumes and snapshots of the RDS for MySQL instance, ensuring that all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) written to disk is unreadable without the proper key. This works because AWS KMS integrates with RDS to transparently encrypt data before it is written to the Elastic Block Store (EBS) volumes and automatically decrypts it when read by authorized applications. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model and the distinction between encryption at rest versus in transit—a common trap is confusing Amazon GuardDuty or deletion protection with data-at-rest controls. Remember the memory tip: "At rest needs a key, in motion needs a tunnel" to quickly eliminate options that address network traffic or threat detection instead of storage-level encryption.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 security strategy for an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance that stores Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Which TWO measures should be implemented to protect the data at rest?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable automatic backups with encryption.
Options A and D are correct. Option A: Enabling encryption at rest using KMS encrypts the underlying storage. Option D: Enabling automatic backups ensures that backup data is also encrypted. Option B is wrong because encryption in transit is about data in motion, not at rest. Option C is wrong because Amazon GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not for data at rest protection. Option E is wrong because enabling deletion protection prevents accidental deletion but does not protect data at rest.
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 backups with encryption.
Why this is correct
Backups should also be encrypted to protect data at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Amazon GuardDuty to monitor for suspicious activity.
Why it's wrong here
GuardDuty is for threat detection, not encryption.
✗
Enable deletion protection on the DB instance.
Why it's wrong here
This prevents accidental deletion but does not protect data at rest.
✓
Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS.
Why this is correct
This encrypts the database storage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
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 backups with encryption. — Options A and D are correct. Option A: Enabling encryption at rest using KMS encrypts the underlying storage. Option D: Enabling automatic backups ensures that backup data is also encrypted. Option B is wrong because encryption in transit is about data in motion, not at rest. Option C is wrong because Amazon GuardDuty is a threat detection service, not for data at rest protection. Option E is wrong because enabling deletion protection prevents accidental deletion but does not protect data at rest.
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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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.
Question Discussion
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