- A
Enable encryption at rest for the RDS instance.
Why wrong: Encryption at rest does not enforce in-transit encryption.
- B
Store the database password in AWS Secrets Manager.
Why wrong: Secrets Manager does not enforce encrypted connections.
- C
Modify the network ACL to only allow traffic on port 3306.
Why wrong: Network ACLs control IP traffic, not encryption.
- D
Set the 'require_secure_transport' parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group.
This forces TLS connections.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance. The security team requires that all database connections be encrypted in transit. Which configuration step ensures this requirement is met?
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 1 in the DB parameter group.
Option A is correct because enabling the 'require_secure_transport' parameter forces clients to use TLS/SSL for connections. Option B is wrong because encryption at rest (RDS encryption) does not enforce in-transit encryption. Option C is wrong because a network ACL controls traffic at the subnet level but does not enforce encryption. Option D is wrong because storing secrets in AWS Secrets Manager does not enforce encrypted connections.
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.
- ✗
Enable encryption at rest for the RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest does not enforce in-transit encryption.
- ✗
Store the database password in AWS Secrets Manager.
Why it's wrong here
Secrets Manager does not enforce encrypted connections.
- ✗
Modify the network ACL to only allow traffic on port 3306.
Why it's wrong here
Network ACLs control IP traffic, not encryption.
- ✓
Set the 'require_secure_transport' parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group.
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 1 in the DB parameter group. — Option A is correct because enabling the 'require_secure_transport' parameter forces clients to use TLS/SSL for connections. Option B is wrong because encryption at rest (RDS encryption) does not enforce in-transit encryption. Option C is wrong because a network ACL controls traffic at the subnet level but does not enforce encryption. Option D is wrong because storing secrets in AWS Secrets Manager does not enforce encrypted connections.
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
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.
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