- A
Enable DynamoDB Streams and use a Lambda function to copy data to a new table with the desired encryption.
Why wrong: This is complex and unnecessary; DynamoDB supports in-place encryption key update.
- 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.
Why wrong: This is possible but causes more downtime than updating in place.
- C
Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key in the SSESpecification parameter.
DynamoDB allows updating the encryption key on an existing table via UpdateTable.
- D
Delete the table and recreate it with the new KMS key.
Why wrong: This would cause data loss and downtime; not the best approach.
Question 798 of 1,730
Change DynamoDB Encryption Key: Switch to Customer-Managed
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 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?
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
✓
Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key in the SSESpecification parameter.
Option C is correct because DynamoDB supports updating the server-side encryption settings on an existing table using the UpdateTable API with the SSESpecification parameter. This allows you to change from an AWS managed KMS key to a customer managed KMS key without recreating the table or causing downtime. Option A is incorrect because DynamoDB Streams are used for change data capture and cannot modify encryption settings. Option B is incorrect because exporting to S3 and importing into a new table is unnecessary and introduces additional complexity and potential downtime when an in-place update is available. Option D is incorrect because deleting and recreating the table would result in data loss and downtime, and is not required as the UpdateTable API can change encryption directly.
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.
- ✗
Enable DynamoDB Streams and use a Lambda function to copy data to a new table with the desired encryption.
Why it's wrong here
This is complex and unnecessary; DynamoDB supports in-place encryption key update.
- ✗
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.
Why it's wrong here
This is possible but causes more downtime than updating in place.
- ✓
Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key in the SSESpecification parameter.
Why this is correct
DynamoDB allows updating the encryption key on an existing table via UpdateTable.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Delete the table and recreate it with the new KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
This would cause data loss and downtime; not the best approach.
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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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.
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Database Security — study guide chapter
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Database Security practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
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: Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key in the SSESpecification parameter. — Option C is correct because DynamoDB supports updating the server-side encryption settings on an existing table using the UpdateTable API with the SSESpecification parameter. This allows you to change from an AWS managed KMS key to a customer managed KMS key without recreating the table or causing downtime. Option A is incorrect because DynamoDB Streams are used for change data capture and cannot modify encryption settings. Option B is incorrect because exporting to S3 and importing into a new table is unnecessary and introduces additional complexity and potential downtime when an in-place update is available. Option D is incorrect because deleting and recreating the table would result in data loss and downtime, and is not required as the UpdateTable API can change encryption directly.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on DBS-C01
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 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?
hard- A.Use the UpdateTable API to specify the new KMS key.
- ✓ B.Create a new DynamoDB table with the desired KMS key, export data from the old table, and import into the new table.
- C.Enable automatic key rotation on the existing KMS key.
- D.Delete the default AWS managed key and create a new customer managed key.
Why B: Option B is correct because DynamoDB does not allow changing the encryption key on an existing table. To use a customer-managed KMS key, you must create a new table with the desired key, export data from the old table, and import it into the new table. Option A is incorrect because the UpdateTable API does not support changing the encryption key. Option C is incorrect because enabling automatic key rotation on the existing KMS key does not change the key used by DynamoDB; it rotates the key material but the table still uses the same key ID. Option D is incorrect because deleting the default AWS managed key would break encryption for any tables using it, and it does not allow you to change the key for the existing table.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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