- A
Create a new DB subnet group that isolates the DB instance in a private subnet without internet access.
Why wrong: Network isolation does not enforce SSL encryption.
- B
Update the security group for the DB instance to deny inbound traffic on port 3306 from sources that do not have SSL.
Why wrong: Security groups cannot inspect SSL; they only control IP-based access.
- C
Require database users to connect using the --ssl-ca parameter with the RDS certificate.
This ensures the client verifies the server certificate, which is necessary for SSL connections.
- D
Modify the DB parameter group associated with the DB instance, setting the 'rds.force_ssl' parameter to 1.
This enforces SSL connections at the database level.
- E
Modify the DB option group associated with the DB instance, enabling the SSL option.
Why wrong: Option groups are for additional features like Oracle TDE, not SSL enforcement on MySQL.
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 running an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance in a VPC. The security team requires that all connections to the database use SSL/TLS. Which combination of steps should be taken to enforce this? (Choose two.)
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
Require database users to connect using the --ssl-ca parameter with the RDS certificate.
To enforce SSL on RDS MySQL, you set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group and require users to connect using the --ssl-ca option. The option group is for features like Oracle TDE, not SSL enforcement. Security group rules control network access, not encryption enforcement. Option E is unnecessary if you set the parameter.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 new DB subnet group that isolates the DB instance in a private subnet without internet access.
Why it's wrong here
Network isolation does not enforce SSL encryption.
- ✗
Update the security group for the DB instance to deny inbound traffic on port 3306 from sources that do not have SSL.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups cannot inspect SSL; they only control IP-based access.
- ✓
Require database users to connect using the --ssl-ca parameter with the RDS certificate.
- ✓
Modify the DB parameter group associated with the DB instance, setting the 'rds.force_ssl' parameter to 1.
- ✗
Modify the DB option group associated with the DB instance, enabling the SSL option.
Why it's wrong here
Option groups are for additional features like Oracle TDE, not SSL enforcement on MySQL.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DBS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
- →
Database Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Database Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DBS-C01 questions
1,730 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DBS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DBS-C01 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Workload-Specific Database Design practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Workload-Specific Database Design.
Deployment and Migration practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Deployment and Migration.
Management and Operations practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Management and Operations.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Monitoring and Troubleshooting.
Database Security practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Database Security.
DBS-C01 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 fundamentals.
DBS-C01 scenario practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 scenario.
DBS-C01 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DBS-C01 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Require database users to connect using the --ssl-ca parameter with the RDS certificate. — To enforce SSL on RDS MySQL, you set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group and require users to connect using the --ssl-ca option. The option group is for features like Oracle TDE, not SSL enforcement. Security group rules control network access, not encryption enforcement. Option E is unnecessary if you set the parameter.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DBS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More DBS-C01 practice questions
- Match each AWS service to its primary purpose.
- A company needs to migrate a 100 GB MongoDB database to Amazon DocumentDB (with MongoDB compatibility). The migration mu…
- A company is designing a database for an IoT application that ingests sensor data from thousands of devices. Each device…
- Arrange the steps to troubleshoot a connection timeout issue from an EC2 instance to an Amazon RDS for SQL Server DB ins…
- Arrange the steps to configure a read replica for an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL DB instance in a different AWS Region in…
- Arrange the steps to perform a point-in-time recovery (PITR) for an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance in the correct orde…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.