Quick Answer
The answer is to set the backup retention period to a value greater than 0. This is the required step because automated backups for Amazon RDS PostgreSQL are enabled by default only when the retention period is set to at least 1 day; a retention period of 0 effectively disables automated backups entirely. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this concept tests your understanding of RDS default configurations versus manual overrides—a common trap is assuming you must explicitly enable backups or configure a maintenance window first, when in fact the default retention of 7 days already covers automated backups. Remember that encryption and Multi-AZ are optional enhancements, not prerequisites for backup functionality. A useful memory tip: think of the retention period as the “on/off switch” for automated backups—any value above zero keeps the lights on, while zero turns them off completely.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. 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 is planning to deploy an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL instance. Which of the following is a required step to enable automated backups?
Set the backup retention period to a value greater than 0.
Automated backups require a retention period > 0; default is 7 days.
Set a preferred maintenance window.
Why wrong: Maintenance window is separate from backups.
Enable encryption at rest.
Why wrong: Encryption is optional and not required for backups.
Configure a Multi-AZ deployment.
Why wrong: Multi-AZ is optional for backups.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Set the backup retention period to a value greater than 0.
Automated backups are enabled by default with a retention period of 7 days. No additional setup is required. Encryption is optional. Multi-AZ is optional. Maintenance window is set by default.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Set the backup retention period to a value greater than 0.
Why this is correct
Automated backups require a retention period > 0; default is 7 days.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Set a preferred maintenance window.
Why it's wrong here
Maintenance window is separate from backups.
Enable encryption at rest.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is optional and not required for backups.
Configure a Multi-AZ deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ is optional for backups.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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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FAQ
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Set the backup retention period to a value greater than 0. — Automated backups are enabled by default with a retention period of 7 days. No additional setup is required. Encryption is optional. Multi-AZ is optional. Maintenance window is set by default.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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