- A
Create the RDS instance without encryption, then use the AWS Console to enable encryption after creation using a customer-managed key.
Why wrong: RDS does not support enabling encryption on an existing unencrypted instance.
- B
Create the RDS instance with encryption using the default AWS managed service key, and set up automatic key rotation in KMS.
Why wrong: Default service key cannot have custom rotation or IAM role restrictions.
- C
Use AWS CloudHSM to generate and store the encryption key, and configure RDS to use the CloudHSM key for encryption.
Why wrong: RDS does not support CloudHSM for encryption; it uses KMS.
- D
Create the RDS instance with encryption enabled using a customer-managed KMS key, and configure the key policy to restrict access to the required IAM roles.
This meets encryption, key rotation, and access control requirements.
How to Encrypt a New Amazon RDS for Oracle Instance at Rest with a Customer-Managed KMS Key
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.
A company is migrating its on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The security team requires that all data at rest be encrypted using a customer-managed key stored in AWS KMS, and that the key be rotated automatically every year. The company also needs to ensure that only specific IAM roles can access the key. Which combination of steps should the database administrator take to meet these requirements?
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
Create the RDS instance with encryption enabled using a customer-managed KMS key, and configure the key policy to restrict access to the required IAM roles.
Option D is correct because it enables encryption on the RDS instance with a customer-managed KMS key, which allows automatic yearly key rotation (configurable in KMS) and access control via KMS key policies to restrict usage to specific IAM roles. Option A is wrong because RDS does not support enabling encryption after creation; it must be enabled at launch. Option B is wrong because the default AWS managed service key does not allow customer-managed rotation or custom key policies. Option C is wrong because CloudHSM is not required; KMS customer-managed keys satisfy the requirements without CloudHSM.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create the RDS instance without encryption, then use the AWS Console to enable encryption after creation using a customer-managed key.
Why it's wrong here
RDS does not support enabling encryption on an existing unencrypted instance.
- ✗
Create the RDS instance with encryption using the default AWS managed service key, and set up automatic key rotation in KMS.
Why it's wrong here
Default service key cannot have custom rotation or IAM role restrictions.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudHSM to generate and store the encryption key, and configure RDS to use the CloudHSM key for encryption.
Why it's wrong here
RDS does not support CloudHSM for encryption; it uses KMS.
- ✓
Create the RDS instance with encryption enabled using a customer-managed KMS key, and configure the key policy to restrict access to the required IAM roles.
Why this is correct
This meets encryption, key rotation, and access control requirements.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DBS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create the RDS instance with encryption enabled using a customer-managed KMS key, and configure the key policy to restrict access to the required IAM roles. — Option D is correct because it enables encryption on the RDS instance with a customer-managed KMS key, which allows automatic yearly key rotation (configurable in KMS) and access control via KMS key policies to restrict usage to specific IAM roles. Option A is wrong because RDS does not support enabling encryption after creation; it must be enabled at launch. Option B is wrong because the default AWS managed service key does not allow customer-managed rotation or custom key policies. Option C is wrong because CloudHSM is not required; KMS customer-managed keys satisfy the requirements without CloudHSM.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DBS-C01 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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 is migrating its Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest using a customer-managed AWS KMS key. Which TWO steps are necessary to achieve this?
medium- ✓ A.Migrate the data using Oracle Data Pump to the new encrypted instance.
- B.Modify the DB instance to enable encryption using a KMS key.
- ✓ C.Create a new DB instance and specify the KMS key for encryption.
- D.Enable encryption at rest on the existing RDS instance by modifying the DB instance.
- E.Use the default RDS encryption key (aws/rds) to encrypt the instance.
Why A: To enable encryption at rest with a customer-managed KMS key in Amazon RDS for Oracle, you must create a new DB instance and specify the KMS key for encryption (Option C). Encryption cannot be enabled on an existing RDS instance without migrating to a new encrypted instance (Options B and D are incorrect). After creating the encrypted instance, you can migrate the Oracle database using Oracle Data Pump to the new encrypted instance (Option A). Using the default RDS encryption key (Option E) does not meet the requirement of a customer-managed key. Therefore, the two necessary steps are A and C.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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