Quick Answer
The correct answer is to enable RDS SQL Server audit logs and send them to CloudWatch Logs, because this is the only native AWS mechanism that captures individual SQL statements like DELETE commands along with the executing user and timestamp. RDS audit logs work by leveraging SQL Server’s own auditing feature, which can be configured to log specific database actions, and when integrated with CloudWatch Logs, the logs become searchable and retain historical data for forensic analysis. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between AWS services that log at different layers: CloudTrail logs API-level calls (e.g., who launched an RDS instance), VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic metadata, and Trusted Advisor offers only best-practice checks—none of these reveal actual SQL statements. A common trap is assuming CloudTrail covers database queries, but remember: CloudTrail stops at the database engine boundary. Memory tip: “SQL statements need SQL-level logs—think ‘audit logs’ for the actual query, CloudTrail for the API call.”
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 security team is investigating a potential data breach in an Amazon RDS for SQL Server database. They need to determine which user executed a specific DELETE statement at a particular time. What should they do?
Enable AWS CloudTrail for the RDS instance.
Why wrong: CloudTrail does not capture SQL queries.
Enable audit logs for the RDS instance and send them to CloudWatch Logs.
Audit logs record SQL statements and can be analyzed.
Enable VPC Flow Logs for the database subnet.
Why wrong: Flow logs capture network metadata, not SQL.
Enable AWS Trusted Advisor.
Why wrong: Trusted Advisor provides recommendations, not auditing.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable audit logs for the RDS instance and send them to CloudWatch Logs.
Enabling RDS Enhanced Monitoring and audit logs captures SQL statements. Option C is correct. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, not SQL commands. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic. Option D is wrong because AWS Trusted Advisor provides best practice checks, not auditing.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Enable AWS CloudTrail for the RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail does not capture SQL queries.
Enable audit logs for the RDS instance and send them to CloudWatch Logs.
Why this is correct
Audit logs record SQL statements and can be analyzed.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Enable VPC Flow Logs for the database subnet.
Why it's wrong here
Flow logs capture network metadata, not SQL.
Enable AWS Trusted Advisor.
Why it's wrong here
Trusted Advisor provides recommendations, not auditing.
Common exam traps
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
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
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DBS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Database Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Database Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DBS-C01 questions
1,730 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DBS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Workload-Specific Database Design.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Deployment and Migration.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Management and Operations.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Monitoring and Troubleshooting.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Database Security.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 fundamentals.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 scenario.
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: Enable audit logs for the RDS instance and send them to CloudWatch Logs. — Enabling RDS Enhanced Monitoring and audit logs captures SQL statements. Option C is correct. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail logs API calls, not SQL commands. Option B is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic. Option D is wrong because AWS Trusted Advisor provides best practice checks, not auditing.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DBS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.