DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
A company is using an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance to store sensitive customer data. A security audit reveals that all database traffic between the application and the database is transmitted in plaintext. Which configuration change would encrypt data in transit for new connections?
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
✓
Modify the DB instance to require SSL/TLS connections and update the application connection string to use SSL.
To encrypt data in transit for new connections to an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance, you must modify the DB instance to require SSL/TLS connections. This forces all connections to use SSL/TLS, encrypting the data transmitted between the application and the database. After enabling this, the application connection string must be updated to use SSL (e.g., by adding ssl=true or equivalent). The other options do not encrypt data in transit: VPC peering (B) does not encrypt traffic; encryption at rest using AWS KMS (C) only protects stored data; and IAM database authentication (D) manages authentication but does not encrypt the connection itself.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Modify the DB instance to require SSL/TLS connections and update the application connection string to use SSL.
Why this is correct
This encrypts data in transit for new connections.
- ✗
Configure the DB instance to be in a VPC with a VPC peering connection to the application's VPC.
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering does not encrypt traffic.
- ✗
Enable encryption at rest for the RDS DB instance using AWS KMS.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest does not encrypt data in transit.
- ✗
Enable IAM database authentication for the DB instance.
Why it's wrong here
IAM authentication does not encrypt connections.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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