This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 RDS for PostgreSQL. The security team wants to ensure that all connections to the database are encrypted in transit. Currently, applications connect using the PostgreSQL native encryption (SSL/TLS). What is the MOST secure way to enforce encrypted connections?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Modify the DB parameter group to set 'ssl' to 'on' and 'require_ssl' to 'on', then reboot the instance.
Option C is correct because modifying the DB parameter group to set 'ssl' to 'on' and 'require_ssl' to 'on' forces all connections to use SSL. Option A is wrong because just enabling 'force_ssl' in the parameter group is not a valid parameter. Option B is wrong because the default security group does not enforce encryption. Option D is wrong because the database port does not affect encryption.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Configure the security group to only allow traffic on port 5432 from trusted IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups control network access, not encryption enforcement.
✗
Enable the 'force_ssl' parameter in the DB parameter group and restart the instance.
Why it's wrong here
'force_ssl' is not a valid PostgreSQL parameter; the correct parameter is 'require_ssl'.
✗
Use a custom database port that is not commonly used, such as 5433, to avoid unencrypted traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the port does not enforce encryption.
✓
Modify the DB parameter group to set 'ssl' to 'on' and 'require_ssl' to 'on', then reboot the instance.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Modify the DB parameter group to set 'ssl' to 'on' and 'require_ssl' to 'on', then reboot the instance. — Option C is correct because modifying the DB parameter group to set 'ssl' to 'on' and 'require_ssl' to 'on' forces all connections to use SSL. Option A is wrong because just enabling 'force_ssl' in the parameter group is not a valid parameter. Option B is wrong because the default security group does not enforce encryption. Option D is wrong because the database port does not affect encryption.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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