The correct answer is that the table is encrypted using a customer managed KMS key. This is determined by the presence of a KMSMasterKeyArn in the SSEDescription output, which specifically identifies a customer managed key rather than an AWS owned or AWS managed key. When DynamoDB encryption uses an AWS managed key, the output shows SSEType as KMS but omits the KMSMasterKeyArn field, or shows a key ARN that begins with “aws/” rather than a custom alias. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this distinction is a frequent trap: many candidates assume any KMS encryption is AWS managed, but the explicit ARN always signals a customer managed key. The exam tests your ability to read the describe-table JSON output and differentiate between SSEType KMS with and without a key ARN. Memory tip: “ARN equals your own” — if you see a full key ARN, it’s customer managed; if absent or prefixed with “aws/”, it’s AWS managed.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Network Topology
A security auditor reviews the output of a DynamoDB table description command as shown in the exhibit. Which statement accurately describes the encryption configuration of the Users table?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The table is encrypted using a customer managed KMS key.
Option B is correct. The output shows SSEDescription with Status ENABLED, SSEType KMS, and a KMSMasterKeyArn, indicating that the table is encrypted using a customer-managed KMS key. Option A is incorrect because the key ARN is a customer managed key, not an AWS managed key. Option C is incorrect because the status is ENABLED. Option D is incorrect because the table is encrypted.
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.
✗
The table is encrypted using an AWS managed KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
The KMS key ARN is a customer managed key (AWS managed keys have ARN ending in 'alias/aws/dynamodb').
✗
The table uses server-side encryption with an S3 managed key.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB does not use S3 managed keys; it uses KMS.
✗
The table is not encrypted at rest.
Why it's wrong here
The SSEDescription shows Status ENABLED, meaning encryption is enabled.
✓
The table is encrypted using a customer managed KMS key.
Why this is correct
The output shows a specific KMS key ARN, indicating a customer managed key.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The SSEDescription shows Status ENABLED, meaning encryption is enabled.
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.
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: The table is encrypted using a customer managed KMS key. — Option B is correct. The output shows SSEDescription with Status ENABLED, SSEType KMS, and a KMSMasterKeyArn, indicating that the table is encrypted using a customer-managed KMS key. Option A is incorrect because the key ARN is a customer managed key, not an AWS managed key. Option C is incorrect because the status is ENABLED. Option D is incorrect because the table is encrypted.
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.
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Question Discussion
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