The correct answer is to enable encryption at rest when creating the DB instance, as encryption for an RDS SQL Server Multi-AZ deployment must be set at launch and cannot be added later. This works because RDS encrypts the entire storage volume using a customer-managed KMS key, and the standby instance in a Multi-AZ configuration is automatically provisioned from the same encrypted primary snapshot, inheriting the same KMS key without any additional configuration. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that KMS encryption is a storage-layer feature, not a database-level feature like TDE, and that the standby is a mirror of the primary—so no separate key or manual action is needed for the standby. A common trap is assuming you must apply encryption to each instance individually or that TDE is required alongside KMS; remember that RDS handles the standby replication transparently. Memory tip: “Set it and forget it—encrypt at launch, the standby follows.”
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
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 uses Amazon RDS for SQL Server with Multi-AZ deployment. The security team wants to ensure that all data at rest is encrypted using a customer-managed KMS key in both the primary and standby instances. Which THREE actions are required?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Specify a customer-managed KMS key during creation.
Options A, B, and D are correct. Option C is wrong because the standby instance will automatically be encrypted with the same KMS key; no separate key is needed. Option E is wrong because TDE is not used with KMS; RDS encrypts the entire storage.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Create a separate KMS key for the standby instance.
Why it's wrong here
The same KMS key encrypts both primary and standby.
✓
Specify a customer-managed KMS key during creation.
Why this is correct
Customer-managed key is required.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) on the instance.
Why it's wrong here
TDE is not needed; RDS encryption covers storage.
✓
Enable Multi-AZ with encryption enabled.
Why this is correct
Multi-AZ with encryption ensures standby is encrypted.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable encryption at rest when creating the DB instance.
Why this is correct
Encryption must be enabled at creation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Specify a customer-managed KMS key during creation. — Options A, B, and D are correct. Option C is wrong because the standby instance will automatically be encrypted with the same KMS key; no separate key is needed. Option E is wrong because TDE is not used with KMS; RDS encrypts the entire storage.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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