The correct configuration is to launch the Redshift cluster with encryption enabled using a customer-managed KMS key that has automatic annual rotation enabled. This satisfies both requirements because Amazon Redshift natively supports encryption at rest with AWS KMS, and customer-managed keys allow you to control rotation policies independently of the cluster lifecycle. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that Redshift encryption is tied to the cluster launch—you cannot enable KMS encryption on an existing unencrypted cluster—and that automatic rotation is a property of the KMS key, not the Redshift service itself. A common trap is assuming you need CloudHSM or S3-managed keys, but Redshift’s integration with KMS is direct and simpler for annual rotation. Memory tip: “Launch with KMS, rotate the key, not the cluster.”
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 Redshift for data warehousing. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest with a customer-managed key, and that the key be rotated every year. Which configuration meets these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Launch the Redshift cluster with encryption enabled using a customer-managed KMS key with automatic annual rotation.
Amazon Redshift supports encryption at rest using a KMS key. You can enable automatic key rotation on a customer-managed KMS key. Option A is wrong because Redshift does not use S3-managed keys for encryption. Option B is wrong because HSM is not required for encryption at rest in Redshift. Option D is wrong because CloudHSM is an alternative but requires manual rotation.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Launch the Redshift cluster without encryption and enable encryption later using AWS CloudHSM.
Why it's wrong here
Redshift does not support enabling encryption on an existing cluster.
✗
Launch the Redshift cluster with encryption enabled using an S3-managed key.
Why it's wrong here
S3-managed keys are not customer-managed.
✓
Launch the Redshift cluster with encryption enabled using a customer-managed KMS key with automatic annual rotation.
Why this is correct
This meets both requirements.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Launch the Redshift cluster with encryption enabled using a KMS key and configure the cluster to use an HSM for key storage.
Why it's wrong here
HSM is not required for KMS encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Launch the Redshift cluster with encryption enabled using a customer-managed KMS key with automatic annual rotation. — Amazon Redshift supports encryption at rest using a KMS key. You can enable automatic key rotation on a customer-managed KMS key. Option A is wrong because Redshift does not use S3-managed keys for encryption. Option B is wrong because HSM is not required for encryption at rest in Redshift. Option D is wrong because CloudHSM is an alternative but requires manual rotation.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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