The correct answer is to enable encryption in transit when creating the DAX cluster. This is because Amazon DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) does not support enabling encryption in transit after a cluster is provisioned; it must be configured at launch time by checking the dedicated option in the AWS Management Console or CLI. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that DAX encryption in transit is a creation-time toggle, not a post-deployment setting, and a common trap is assuming you can enable it later or that client-side encryption or private subnets suffice. Remember, DAX uses its own TLS implementation, not ACM, so the key memory tip is: “Encrypt at birth, not after birth” — you must enable DAX encryption in transit at cluster creation to secure all traffic between your application and the cache.
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 using Amazon DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for caching. The security team is concerned about data in transit between the application and DAX. What should the team do to ensure that all traffic to DAX is encrypted?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable encryption in transit when creating the DAX cluster.
Option B is correct. DAX supports encryption in transit by default when you create a DAX cluster. You must enable encryption in transit at the time of creation by checking the 'Encryption in transit' option. Option A is incorrect because DAX does not support client-side encryption. Option C is incorrect because DAX does not use AWS Certificate Manager for its cluster; it uses its own encryption. Option D is incorrect because launching DAX in a private subnet does not encrypt traffic.
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.
✗
Launch the DAX cluster in a private subnet with a VPC endpoint.
Why it's wrong here
VPC endpoints do not encrypt traffic; they keep traffic within AWS network.
✓
Enable encryption in transit when creating the DAX cluster.
Why this is correct
DAX supports TLS encryption in transit when enabled at cluster creation.
Use AWS Certificate Manager to issue a certificate for the DAX cluster.
Why it's wrong here
DAX does not use ACM; it has its own certificate management.
✗
Use client-side encryption to encrypt data before sending it to DAX.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is not built into DAX SDKs.
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.
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: Enable encryption in transit when creating the DAX cluster. — Option B is correct. DAX supports encryption in transit by default when you create a DAX cluster. You must enable encryption in transit at the time of creation by checking the 'Encryption in transit' option. Option A is incorrect because DAX does not support client-side encryption. Option C is incorrect because DAX does not use AWS Certificate Manager for its cluster; it uses its own encryption. Option D is incorrect because launching DAX in a private subnet does not encrypt traffic.
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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Question Discussion
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