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DBS-C01 require_secure_transport Practice Question
A company is using Amazon RDS for MySQL to power a web application. The database contains sensitive data, and the security team requires that all connections to the database use SSL/TLS. The team has enabled 'require_secure_transport' parameter in the DB parameter group. However, a developer reports that they are able to connect to the database using a MySQL client without specifying SSL options. What could be the reason?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common trap is assuming that simply enabling the parameter in the parameter group (e.g., clicking 'Enable') is enough. In RDS, you must set the parameter value to '1' (a string) and then reboot the instance for the change to take effect.
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
✓
The 'require_secure_transport' parameter is not set to '1' in the DB parameter group.
Enabling the 'require_secure_transport' parameter in the DB parameter group requires explicitly setting it to '1'. By default, this parameter is '0' (disabled). Even if the parameter group is associated with the RDS instance, if the parameter value is not set to '1', the database will still accept non-SSL connections. After setting it to '1', the instance must be rebooted for the change to take effect. Option A is incorrect because 'require_secure_transport', when properly configured, rejects non-SSL connections. Option B is incorrect because the MySQL client does not automatically upgrade to SSL; it only uses SSL if explicitly requested or if the client defaults to SSL (which depends on client configuration). Option D is incorrect because connections from within the same VPC are still subject to the database's SSL enforcement settings.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The RDS instance is configured to accept both SSL and non-SSL connections by default.
Why it's wrong here
With the parameter set correctly, non-SSL connections are rejected.
- ✗
The MySQL client automatically upgrades to SSL when the server requires it.
Why it's wrong here
The client must be configured to use SSL; it does not auto-upgrade.
- ✓
The 'require_secure_transport' parameter is not set to '1' in the DB parameter group.
Why this is correct
The parameter must be set to '1' to enforce SSL; otherwise, non-SSL connections are allowed.
- ✗
The developer is connecting from an EC2 instance in the same VPC, which bypasses SSL enforcement.
Why it's wrong here
SSL enforcement applies regardless of source.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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