DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
Network Topology
A database administrator is troubleshooting connectivity to an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance. The application is running on an EC2 instance in the same VPC and security group. The application can connect using the endpoint shown in the exhibit. However, the security team requires that all connections be encrypted using SSL. The DBA has enabled SSL on the DB instance and modified the parameter group to set require_secure_transport to ON. The application is now failing to connect. What is the most likely cause?
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
✓
The application's JDBC connection string does not include SSL parameters such as useSSL=true.
When require_secure_transport is set to ON, the database server rejects non-SSL connections. The application must be configured to use SSL by adding the useSSL=true and requireSSL=true parameters to the JDBC connection string. Option A is incorrect because the application could connect before SSL was enforced, indicating that DNS resolution was working. Option B is incorrect because the server enforces SSL at the transport level, and no separate SSL privilege is needed for the user account. Option D is incorrect because SSL connections use the same port as non-SSL (3306 for MySQL), and the security group was already configured to allow traffic on that port.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The DB instance endpoint is not resolving to the correct IP address.
Why it's wrong here
The endpoint is a valid DNS name; resolution is not the issue.
- ✗
The database user account does not have the SSL privilege granted.
Why it's wrong here
When require_secure_transport is ON, all users must use SSL; no separate privilege is needed.
- ✓
The application's JDBC connection string does not include SSL parameters such as useSSL=true.
Why this is correct
The application must explicitly request SSL connections; otherwise, the server rejects the connection.
- ✗
The security group does not allow inbound traffic on port 3307, which is used for SSL connections.
Why it's wrong here
SSL uses the same port (3306 for MySQL), not a different port.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 1,663 original DBS-C01 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.