- A
Use AWS owned CMK for server-side encryption.
DynamoDB encrypts at rest by default using AWS owned keys.
- B
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE).
Why wrong: DynamoDB does not support TDE.
- C
Enable EBS encryption on the underlying storage.
Why wrong: DynamoDB is serverless and does not use EBS volumes.
- D
Implement client-side encryption before sending data to DynamoDB.
Why wrong: Client-side encryption protects data before it reaches DynamoDB, but it is not DynamoDB's encryption at rest.
- E
Use a customer managed CMK from AWS KMS.
You can specify a customer managed KMS key for DynamoDB encryption.
Question 1,105 of 1,730
DynamoDB Encryption at Rest — Valid Methods | AWS Database Specialty Explained
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.
Which TWO of the following are valid ways to encrypt data at rest in Amazon DynamoDB? (Select TWO.)
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 AWS owned CMK for server-side encryption.
Options A and E are correct. DynamoDB offers server-side encryption at rest using AWS owned CMK (A) or customer managed CMK from AWS KMS (E). Option B is incorrect because Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is not supported by DynamoDB—it is used for relational databases. Option C is incorrect because DynamoDB is serverless and does not provision EBS volumes; its encryption is handled internally. Option D is incorrect because client-side encryption is applied before data is sent to DynamoDB, not encryption at rest of the DynamoDB service itself.
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 AWS owned CMK for server-side encryption.
Why this is correct
DynamoDB encrypts at rest by default using AWS owned keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE).
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB does not support TDE.
- ✗
Enable EBS encryption on the underlying storage.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is serverless and does not use EBS volumes.
- ✗
Implement client-side encryption before sending data to DynamoDB.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption protects data before it reaches DynamoDB, but it is not DynamoDB's encryption at rest.
- ✓
Use a customer managed CMK from AWS KMS.
Why this is correct
You can specify a customer managed KMS key for DynamoDB encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
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 AWS owned CMK for server-side encryption. — Options A and E are correct. DynamoDB offers server-side encryption at rest using AWS owned CMK (A) or customer managed CMK from AWS KMS (E). Option B is incorrect because Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is not supported by DynamoDB—it is used for relational databases. Option C is incorrect because DynamoDB is serverless and does not provision EBS volumes; its encryption is handled internally. Option D is incorrect because client-side encryption is applied before data is sent to DynamoDB, not encryption at rest of the DynamoDB service itself.
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. Which THREE are valid methods to encrypt data at rest in Amazon DynamoDB? (Choose 3.)
hard- ✓ A.Use a customer managed CMK.
- B.Use S3 server-side encryption.
- ✓ C.Use an AWS-owned CMK.
- ✓ D.Use an AWS managed CMK.
- E.Use client-side encryption with the DynamoDB Encryption Client.
Why A: DynamoDB encryption at rest is implemented through AWS KMS, supporting three types of customer master keys (CMKs): AWS-owned CMKs (default), AWS managed CMKs, and customer managed CMKs. Option A is correct because customer managed CMKs are fully supported, allowing you to create, manage, and control key policies and rotation. Option C (AWS-owned) and D (AWS managed) are also correct. Option E (client-side encryption with DynamoDB Encryption Client) is not an encryption-at-rest method provided by DynamoDB; it encrypts data before transmission, but data at rest is still encrypted by DynamoDB's server-side encryption. Option B is irrelevant as S3 server-side encryption does not apply to DynamoDB.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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