The correct answer is to create a new DynamoDB table with the desired customer-managed KMS key, export data from the old table, and import into the new table. This is required because DynamoDB encryption at rest is configured at table creation time, and the encryption key—whether AWS managed or customer managed—cannot be modified on an existing table; there is no UpdateTable API for this purpose. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that DynamoDB treats the KMS encryption key as an immutable table property, a common trap where candidates mistakenly look for a key rotation or update option. Remember that key rotation in KMS does not change the key material used by DynamoDB, and the default key cannot be deleted if in use. Memory tip: "Create, copy, cut over"—you must build a new table to swap the key.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 DynamoDB to store sensitive user data. The security team wants to ensure that all data is encrypted at rest using a customer-managed AWS KMS key. The DynamoDB table was created with the default AWS managed key. What is the required action to change the encryption key?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a new DynamoDB table with the desired KMS key, export data from the old table, and import into the new table.
Option D is correct because DynamoDB encryption at rest uses KMS and the encryption key can only be changed when creating a new table. You cannot modify the encryption key on an existing table. Option A is wrong because there is no UpdateTable API for encryption key. Option B is wrong because the default key cannot be deleted if in use. Option C is wrong because KMS key rotation does not change the key material used by DynamoDB.
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.
✗
Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
UpdateTable does not support changing encryption keys.
✓
Create a new DynamoDB table with the desired KMS key, export data from the old table, and import into the new table.
Why this is correct
Encryption key can only be set at table creation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable automatic key rotation on the existing KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
Rotation does not change the key used by DynamoDB.
✗
Delete the default AWS managed key and create a new customer managed key.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the key would break access.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
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: Create a new DynamoDB table with the desired KMS key, export data from the old table, and import into the new table. — Option D is correct because DynamoDB encryption at rest uses KMS and the encryption key can only be changed when creating a new table. You cannot modify the encryption key on an existing table. Option A is wrong because there is no UpdateTable API for encryption key. Option B is wrong because the default key cannot be deleted if in use. Option C is wrong because KMS key rotation does not change the key material used by DynamoDB.
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.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company uses Amazon DynamoDB to store user session data. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest using a customer-managed AWS KMS key. The DynamoDB table is already configured with AWS managed KMS encryption. How can the company meet the encryption requirement without recreating the table?
hard
A.Enable DynamoDB Streams and use a Lambda function to copy data to a new table with the desired encryption.
B.Export the table to Amazon S3 using the on-demand backup feature, then import it into a new table encrypted with the desired KMS key.
✓ C.Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key in the SSESpecification parameter.
D.Delete the table and recreate it with the new KMS key.
Why C: Option C is correct because DynamoDB supports updating the encryption key for an existing table using the UpdateTable API with the SSESpecification parameter. You can switch from AWS managed key to a customer managed key. Option A is incorrect because you cannot change the encryption configuration during table creation after the table exists. Option B is incorrect because exporting to S3 and re-importing is unnecessary and causes more downtime. Option D is incorrect because DynamoDB streams are used for change data capture, not for encryption changes.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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.
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