The correct answer is to configure the DB cluster to publish audit logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs, alongside enabling the Aurora MySQL audit plugin by setting the server_audit_logging parameter to 1 in the DB cluster parameter group. This works because the audit plugin captures every SQL statement executed at the database engine level, and publishing those logs to CloudWatch Logs provides a centralized, durable, and queryable destination for security analysis. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between database-level auditing and other AWS logging services—a common trap is confusing CloudTrail (which logs API calls) or Enhanced Monitoring (which logs OS metrics) with actual SQL audit trails. Remember that for Aurora MySQL, you must explicitly enable the plugin via a cluster parameter group change; it is not on by default. A useful memory tip is "Plugin to CloudWatch" — think of the audit plugin as the source and CloudWatch Logs as the sink for complete SQL audit coverage.
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 security team needs to audit all SQL statements executed against an Amazon Aurora MySQL DB cluster. Which combination of actions should be taken to achieve this? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set the server_audit_logging parameter to 1 in the DB cluster parameter group.
Options B and C are correct. To audit SQL statements in Aurora MySQL, you need to enable advanced audit (database activity streams) or use the Aurora MySQL audit plugin. Enabling the audit plugin is done by setting the server_audit_logging parameter to 1 in the DB cluster parameter group. Then you can publish the audit logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs for analysis. Option A is incorrect because RDS event subscription does not capture SQL statements. Option D is incorrect because CloudTrail captures API calls, not database-level SQL. Option E is incorrect because Enhanced Monitoring captures OS metrics, not SQL.
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.
✗
Enable AWS CloudTrail for the Aurora DB cluster.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail captures API calls, not database SQL statements.
✗
Enable Enhanced Monitoring for the DB cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Enhanced Monitoring provides OS-level metrics, not SQL audit.
✗
Enable RDS event subscription for the DB cluster.
Why it's wrong here
RDS event subscription only sends events about DB instance changes, not SQL statements.
✓
Set the server_audit_logging parameter to 1 in the DB cluster parameter group.
Why this is correct
This enables the audit plugin for Aurora MySQL.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Configure the DB cluster to publish audit logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs.
Why this is correct
Audit logs can be sent to CloudWatch for analysis.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: Set the server_audit_logging parameter to 1 in the DB cluster parameter group. — Options B and C are correct. To audit SQL statements in Aurora MySQL, you need to enable advanced audit (database activity streams) or use the Aurora MySQL audit plugin. Enabling the audit plugin is done by setting the server_audit_logging parameter to 1 in the DB cluster parameter group. Then you can publish the audit logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs for analysis. Option A is incorrect because RDS event subscription does not capture SQL statements. Option D is incorrect because CloudTrail captures API calls, not database-level SQL. Option E is incorrect because Enhanced Monitoring captures OS metrics, not SQL.
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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