Quick Answer
The answer is to set the general_log parameter to 1 and export the logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs. Enabling the general_log on your RDS for MySQL instance captures every query and login attempt, providing a complete audit trail, while streaming those logs to CloudWatch Logs allows for long-term storage, searching, and alerting without impacting database performance. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of RDS parameter groups versus monitoring services—a common trap is confusing Enhanced Monitoring (which tracks OS metrics, not queries) or CloudTrail (which records API calls, not SQL statements) with actual database auditing. Remember that for query-level auditing on MySQL RDS, you must modify a database engine parameter, not an AWS service. Memory tip: "General logs go to CloudWatch, not CloudTrail"—if you need to see the SQL, think general_log, not API logs.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 uses Amazon RDS for MySQL with Multi-AZ deployment. The security team wants to audit all database logins and queries. Which TWO actions should be taken to enable auditing?
Enable AWS CloudTrail data events for RDS.
Why wrong: CloudTrail does not capture database queries.
Create an RDS event notification subscription.
Why wrong: Event notifications are for instance events.
Publish MySQL logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs.
CloudWatch Logs can store and analyze logs.
Set the general_log parameter to 1.
General log captures all queries.
Enable Enhanced Monitoring.
Why wrong: Enhanced Monitoring monitors OS metrics.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Publish MySQL logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs.
Options C and D are correct. Enabling the general_log (C) captures all queries, and exporting logs to CloudWatch Logs (D) allows analysis. Option A is wrong because enhanced monitoring is for performance, not queries. Option B is wrong because event notifications are for instance events, not queries. Option E is wrong because RDS does not support AWS CloudTrail for database queries.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Enable AWS CloudTrail data events for RDS.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail does not capture database queries.
Create an RDS event notification subscription.
Why it's wrong here
Event notifications are for instance events.
Publish MySQL logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs.
Why this is correct
CloudWatch Logs can store and analyze logs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Set the general_log parameter to 1.
Why this is correct
General log captures all queries.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable Enhanced Monitoring.
Why it's wrong here
Enhanced Monitoring monitors OS metrics.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Publish MySQL logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs. — Options C and D are correct. Enabling the general_log (C) captures all queries, and exporting logs to CloudWatch Logs (D) allows analysis. Option A is wrong because enhanced monitoring is for performance, not queries. Option B is wrong because event notifications are for instance events, not queries. Option E is wrong because RDS does not support AWS CloudTrail for database queries.
Identify which DBS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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