The correct answer is that Amazon Aurora database activity streams publish database activity to CloudWatch Logs and Kinesis Firehose, and they can be started and stopped without a database restart while encrypting data using a KMS key. This is because activity streams are designed as a near-real-time, asynchronous feed of database events, capturing all SQL queries—including DML and DDL—and streaming them directly to these destinations for security monitoring and auditing. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this topic tests your understanding of how to implement database activity streams in Aurora MySQL for compliance and threat detection, with a common trap being that streams do not capture data masking or only DDL statements; they capture the actual queries executed. A useful memory tip is to remember the three pillars: No Restart, Logs and Firehose, and KMS Encryption—think "No Reboot, Two Streams, One Key."
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 company uses Amazon Aurora MySQL-Compatible Edition. The security team wants to implement database activity streams to monitor database activity. Which THREE statements are true about Aurora database activity streams?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Activity streams can be started and stopped without restarting the database.
Options A, B, and C are correct. Activity streams can be started and stopped without database restart (A). They send logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs and Amazon Kinesis Firehose (B). Data is encrypted using a KMS key (C). Option D is wrong because activity streams capture all SQL queries, not just DDL. Option E is wrong because activity streams do not capture data masking; they capture actual queries.
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
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Activity streams can be started and stopped without restarting the database.
Why this is correct
Activity streams are started via the RDS console or API and do not require a restart.
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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
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. Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets. 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 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 — This question tests Database Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Activity streams can be started and stopped without restarting the database. — Options A, B, and C are correct. Activity streams can be started and stopped without database restart (A). They send logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs and Amazon Kinesis Firehose (B). Data is encrypted using a KMS key (C). Option D is wrong because activity streams capture all SQL queries, not just DDL. Option E is wrong because activity streams do not capture data masking; they capture actual queries.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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