DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
A company uses Amazon DynamoDB to store user session data. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest using a customer-managed AWS KMS key. The DynamoDB table is already configured with AWS managed KMS encryption. How can the company meet the encryption requirement without recreating the table?
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
✓
Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key in the SSESpecification parameter.
DynamoDB supports updating the server-side encryption settings on an existing table using the UpdateTable API with the SSESpecification parameter. This allows you to change from an AWS managed KMS key to a customer managed KMS key without recreating the table or causing downtime. Option A is incorrect because DynamoDB Streams are used for change data capture and cannot modify encryption settings. Option B is incorrect because exporting to S3 and importing into a new table is unnecessary and introduces additional complexity and potential downtime when an in-place update is available. Option D is incorrect because deleting and recreating the table would result in data loss and downtime, and is not required as the UpdateTable API can change encryption directly.
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 DynamoDB Streams and use a Lambda function to copy data to a new table with the desired encryption.
Why it's wrong here
This is complex and unnecessary; DynamoDB supports in-place encryption key update.
- ✗
Export the table to Amazon S3 using the on-demand backup feature, then import it into a new table encrypted with the desired KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
This is possible but causes more downtime than updating in place.
- ✓
Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key in the SSESpecification parameter.
Why this is correct
DynamoDB allows updating the encryption key on an existing table via UpdateTable.
- ✗
Delete the table and recreate it with the new KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
This would cause data loss and downtime; not the best approach.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
Go deeper
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on DBS-C01
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company uses Amazon DynamoDB to store sensitive user data. The security team wants to ensure that all data is encrypted at rest using a customer-managed AWS KMS key. The DynamoDB table was created with the default AWS managed key. What is the required action to change the encryption key?
hard- A.Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key.
- ✓ B.Create a new DynamoDB table with the desired KMS key, export data from the old table, and import into the new table.
- C.Enable automatic key rotation on the existing KMS key.
- D.Delete the default AWS managed key and create a new customer managed key.
Why B: DynamoDB does not allow changing the encryption key on an existing table. To use a customer-managed KMS key, you must create a new table with the desired key, export data from the old table, and import it into the new table. Option A is incorrect because the UpdateTable API does not support changing the encryption key. Option C is incorrect because enabling automatic key rotation on the existing KMS key does not change the key used by DynamoDB; it rotates the key material but the table still uses the same key ID. Option D is incorrect because deleting the default AWS managed key would break encryption for any tables using it, and it does not allow you to change the key for the existing table.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.