- A
Use the RDS Console to enable 'Force SSL' on the DB instance.
Why wrong: The RDS Console does not have a 'Force SSL' option for SQL Server; it must be done via parameter group.
- B
Modify the DB parameter group to set 'require_secure_transport' to ON.
Why wrong: 'require_secure_transport' is a MySQL parameter, not SQL Server.
- C
Create a server-level trigger that requires SSL for all logins.
A trigger can enforce SSL by checking the session's protocol and denying non-SSL connections.
- D
Add an inbound rule to the security group that only allows traffic on port 1433 from IP addresses that use SSL.
Why wrong: Security groups cannot inspect whether traffic is encrypted; they only filter by IP and port.
- E
Set the 'rds.force_ssl' parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group.
This parameter forces all connections to use SSL for SQL Server RDS.
Quick Answer
The answer is to set the 'rds.force_ssl' parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group and create a server-level DDL trigger that checks the login event for encryption. The first action is the native RDS mechanism that forces SSL/TLS for all connections to SQL Server on RDS by rejecting unencrypted traffic at the instance level, while the second action provides an additional layer of enforcement by using a trigger to inspect the `encrypt_option` in `sys.dm_exec_connections` and roll back any non-SSL login attempts. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to enforce SSL SQL Server RDS connections beyond simply enabling encryption, as the trap is thinking that only the parameter group change is sufficient when the trigger is also required to catch connections that bypass the parameter setting. A common memory tip is to remember that RDS gives you the "force" switch, but SQL Server itself needs a "trigger" to lock the door—think "force the parameter, trigger the login."
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 database connections use SSL/TLS encryption. Which TWO actions should the database specialist take to enforce SSL connections? (Choose two.)
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
Create a server-level trigger that requires SSL for all logins.
Option C is correct because SQL Server allows you to create a server-level DDL trigger that checks the login event and enforces SSL by examining the `@@OPTIONS` or `encrypt_option` in `sys.dm_exec_connections`. This is a supported method to force SSL for all connections to an RDS for SQL Server instance. Option E is correct because setting the `rds.force_ssl` parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group is the native RDS mechanism to enforce SSL/TLS for all connections to the DB instance.
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.
- ✗
Use the RDS Console to enable 'Force SSL' on the DB instance.
Why it's wrong here
The RDS Console does not have a 'Force SSL' option for SQL Server; it must be done via parameter group.
- ✗
Modify the DB parameter group to set 'require_secure_transport' to ON.
Why it's wrong here
'require_secure_transport' is a MySQL parameter, not SQL Server.
- ✓
Create a server-level trigger that requires SSL for all logins.
Why this is correct
A trigger can enforce SSL by checking the session's protocol and denying non-SSL connections.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add an inbound rule to the security group that only allows traffic on port 1433 from IP addresses that use SSL.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups cannot inspect whether traffic is encrypted; they only filter by IP and port.
- ✓
Set the 'rds.force_ssl' parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group.
Why this is correct
This parameter forces all connections to use SSL for SQL Server RDS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse MySQL-specific parameters (like `require_secure_transport`) with SQL Server parameters, or assume that security group rules can enforce encryption at the transport layer, when in fact they only control network access, not the encryption state of the connection.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `rds.force_ssl` parameter, when set to 1, forces the SQL Server instance to accept only encrypted connections by modifying the server's network configuration to reject non-encrypted login packets. The server-level trigger approach works by intercepting the `LOGON` event and using `EVENTDATA()` to inspect the connection's encryption state, rolling back the login if SSL is not detected. In a Multi-AZ deployment, both the primary and standby instances share the same parameter group, so enforcing SSL via the parameter group ensures consistency across failover.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
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: Create a server-level trigger that requires SSL for all logins. — Option C is correct because SQL Server allows you to create a server-level DDL trigger that checks the login event and enforces SSL by examining the `@@OPTIONS` or `encrypt_option` in `sys.dm_exec_connections`. This is a supported method to force SSL for all connections to an RDS for SQL Server instance. Option E is correct because setting the `rds.force_ssl` parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group is the native RDS mechanism to enforce SSL/TLS for all connections to the DB instance.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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