- A
Use a Network Load Balancer with a TLS listener in front of the Aurora cluster.
Why wrong: Unnecessary; Aurora supports native SSL.
- B
Place the Aurora cluster in a private subnet with a VPN connection.
Why wrong: VPN encrypts traffic at the network layer, but not at the database layer; SSL is still needed.
- C
Set the 'require_secure_transport' parameter to 'ON' in the DB cluster parameter group.
This enforces SSL connections from clients.
- D
Configure the application connection string to use the SSL-enabled endpoint (port 3306 with SSL).
Clients must use the SSL endpoint to establish encrypted connections.
- E
Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS.
Why wrong: This encrypts data at rest, not in transit.
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 setting up an Amazon Aurora MySQL-compatible database. The security policy requires that all traffic between the application and database be encrypted in transit. Which TWO steps should be taken?
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
Set the 'require_secure_transport' parameter to 'ON' in the DB cluster parameter group.
To encrypt in transit, you need to enforce SSL on the server side (Option A) and have the application use the SSL endpoint (Option B). Option C is not necessary because Aurora uses a cluster endpoint. Option D is about network-level encryption, which is not required if SSL is used. Option E is about data at rest, not in transit.
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.
- ✗
Use a Network Load Balancer with a TLS listener in front of the Aurora cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Unnecessary; Aurora supports native SSL.
- ✗
Place the Aurora cluster in a private subnet with a VPN connection.
- ✓
Set the 'require_secure_transport' parameter to 'ON' in the DB cluster parameter group.
- ✓
Configure the application connection string to use the SSL-enabled endpoint (port 3306 with SSL).
- ✗
Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS.
Why it's wrong here
This encrypts data at rest, not in transit.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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.
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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: Set the 'require_secure_transport' parameter to 'ON' in the DB cluster parameter group. — To encrypt in transit, you need to enforce SSL on the server side (Option A) and have the application use the SSL endpoint (Option B). Option C is not necessary because Aurora uses a cluster endpoint. Option D is about network-level encryption, which is not required if SSL is used. Option E is about data at rest, not in transit.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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