DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
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 data in transit, you need to enforce SSL on the server side and ensure the client uses SSL. Setting the 'require_secure_transport' parameter to 'ON' in the DB cluster parameter group (Option C) forces the server to require SSL connections. Configuring the application connection string to use the SSL-enabled endpoint (Option D) ensures the client connects using SSL. Option A is unnecessary because Aurora supports SSL natively without a load balancer. Option B does not encrypt traffic; a VPN only secures the network path but does not enforce encryption at the database layer. Option E encrypts data at rest, not in transit.
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.
Why it's wrong here
VPN encrypts traffic at the network layer, but not at the database layer; SSL is still needed.
- ✓
Set the 'require_secure_transport' parameter to 'ON' in the DB cluster parameter group.
Why this is correct
This enforces SSL connections from clients.
- ✓
Configure the application connection string to use the SSL-enabled endpoint (port 3306 with SSL).
Why this is correct
Clients must use the SSL endpoint to establish encrypted connections.
- ✗
Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS.
Why it's wrong here
This encrypts data at rest, not in transit.
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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.