- A
Enable Amazon RDS encryption at rest using a KMS key and rely on that encryption.
Why wrong: RDS encryption encrypts the entire instance, not individual columns, and uses KMS, not CloudHSM.
- B
Modify the Oracle database to use AWS KMS for column-level encryption.
Why wrong: RDS for Oracle does not support KMS for column-level encryption; you need native Oracle TDE.
- C
Use Oracle Data Pump to export data with encryption and store the encryption key in AWS Secrets Manager.
Why wrong: Data Pump is for data migration, not real-time transparent encryption.
- D
Use Oracle Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with AWS CloudHSM as the key store.
Oracle TDE provides transparent column encryption, and CloudHSM can serve as the hardware security module for key storage.
Question 390 of 1,730
Encrypt PII Columns in RDS Oracle with Oracle TDE and AWS CloudHSM
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 an on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database contains personally identifiable information (PII). The security team requires that all PII columns be transparently encrypted and that the encryption keys be stored in AWS CloudHSM. Which solution meets 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
✓
Use Oracle Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with AWS CloudHSM as the key store.
Option D is correct because Oracle Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with AWS CloudHSM as the key store enables transparent encryption of PII columns and stores the encryption keys in CloudHSM, meeting the security requirements. Option A is wrong because Amazon RDS encryption at rest uses AWS KMS, not CloudHSM, and it encrypts the entire database instance, not specific columns. Option B is wrong because modifying an Oracle database to use AWS KMS for column-level encryption is not supported natively in RDS; Oracle TDE is required for transparent column encryption. Option C is wrong because Oracle Data Pump is an export/import utility, not a column-level encryption solution; it does not provide transparent encryption of PII columns in the live database.
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.
- ✗
Enable Amazon RDS encryption at rest using a KMS key and rely on that encryption.
Why it's wrong here
RDS encryption encrypts the entire instance, not individual columns, and uses KMS, not CloudHSM.
- ✗
Modify the Oracle database to use AWS KMS for column-level encryption.
Why it's wrong here
RDS for Oracle does not support KMS for column-level encryption; you need native Oracle TDE.
- ✗
Use Oracle Data Pump to export data with encryption and store the encryption key in AWS Secrets Manager.
Why it's wrong here
Data Pump is for data migration, not real-time transparent encryption.
- ✓
Use Oracle Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with AWS CloudHSM as the key store.
Why this is correct
Oracle TDE provides transparent column encryption, and CloudHSM can serve as the hardware security module for key storage.
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 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. 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. 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 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: Use Oracle Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with AWS CloudHSM as the key store. — Option D is correct because Oracle Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with AWS CloudHSM as the key store enables transparent encryption of PII columns and stores the encryption keys in CloudHSM, meeting the security requirements. Option A is wrong because Amazon RDS encryption at rest uses AWS KMS, not CloudHSM, and it encrypts the entire database instance, not specific columns. Option B is wrong because modifying an Oracle database to use AWS KMS for column-level encryption is not supported natively in RDS; Oracle TDE is required for transparent column encryption. Option C is wrong because Oracle Data Pump is an export/import utility, not a column-level encryption solution; it does not provide transparent encryption of PII columns in the live database.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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