The answer is to enable AWS CloudTrail to log all KMS API calls and then configure CloudTrail to deliver those logs to an S3 bucket for auditing. This works because CloudTrail captures every KMS API operation—such as Decrypt, Encrypt, or GenerateDataKey—that occurs when DynamoDB accesses your customer-managed key for encryption at rest, providing a complete, immutable record of key usage. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that auditing KMS key usage relies on CloudTrail’s data plane logging, not on services like CloudWatch Logs (which stores logs but doesn’t enable audit trails) or AWS Config (which tracks resource changes, not API calls). A common trap is confusing log storage with audit enablement; remember that CloudTrail is the source of truth for API activity, while CloudWatch Logs is just a destination. Memory tip: “CT for KMS” – CloudTrail is the only service that directly captures every KMS key call for DynamoDB encryption auditing.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
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 company is using Amazon DynamoDB with encryption at rest using a customer-managed KMS key. The security team wants to audit every use of this KMS key. Which TWO steps should be taken to meet this requirement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Turn on KMS key auditing in the key's advanced configuration.
Option A and D are correct. CloudTrail logs all KMS API calls; enabling CloudTrail and KMS key auditing (via CloudTrail) provides the audit. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch Logs is for log storage, not for enabling KMS audit. Option C is wrong because Config records resource changes, not API calls. Option E is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not KMS usage.
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.
✗
Send KMS audit logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail already logs; CloudWatch Logs is for monitoring, not enabling audit.
✓
Turn on KMS key auditing in the key's advanced configuration.
Why this is correct
KMS keys have an option to enable CloudTrail logging.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable AWS Config to record KMS key configuration changes.
Why it's wrong here
Config records resource changes, not API usage.
✓
Enable AWS CloudTrail to log all KMS API calls.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail records KMS operations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs for the DynamoDB VPC endpoint.
Why it's wrong here
VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not KMS usage.
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: Turn on KMS key auditing in the key's advanced configuration. — Option A and D are correct. CloudTrail logs all KMS API calls; enabling CloudTrail and KMS key auditing (via CloudTrail) provides the audit. Option B is wrong because CloudWatch Logs is for log storage, not for enabling KMS audit. Option C is wrong because Config records resource changes, not API calls. Option E is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not KMS usage.
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.
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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