The correct answer is to modify the DB cluster parameter group to set require_secure_transport to ON and update the application connection string to use SSL parameters. This works because the require_secure_transport parameter, when enabled at the cluster level, rejects any connection attempt that is not using TLS, effectively enforcing SSL for all Aurora MySQL clients. However, the server-side enforcement alone is insufficient; the application must also be updated to include SSL-specific parameters in its JDBC connection string, such as useSSL=true and requireSSL=true, so the client initiates the encrypted handshake. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the dual responsibility model: the database configuration enforces the policy, while the client must support it. A common trap is assuming that modifying the parameter group alone secures existing connections, but without updating the application string, those connections will be dropped. Memory tip: think “Server says ‘must be secure,’ client says ‘I am secure’” — both sides must agree for SSL to work.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 using Amazon Aurora MySQL-Compatible Edition. The security team requires that all connections to the database use SSL/TLS. The application currently connects using a standard JDBC connection string without SSL. What changes are needed to enforce SSL connections?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Modify the DB cluster parameter group to set require_secure_transport to ON and update the application connection string to use SSL parameters.
Option D is correct. To enforce SSL for all connections, you must configure the DB cluster parameter group to set require_secure_transport to ON and update the application connection string to use SSL parameters. Option A is incomplete because modifying the parameter group alone does not enforce SSL for existing connections. Option B is incorrect because modifying the security group does not enforce SSL. Option C is incorrect because using an IAM role does not enforce SSL.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Modify the DB cluster parameter group to set require_secure_transport to ON.
Why it's wrong here
This enforces SSL for new connections, but the application must also use SSL in the connection string.
✓
Modify the DB cluster parameter group to set require_secure_transport to ON and update the application connection string to use SSL parameters.
Why this is correct
This enforces SSL and ensures the application uses it.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Modify the security group to only allow traffic on port 3306 with the SSL flag.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups cannot enforce SSL; they only filter traffic based on IP/port.
✗
Create an IAM role that requires SSL for database access and assign it to the application.
Why it's wrong here
IAM roles do not enforce SSL for database connections.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Modify the DB cluster parameter group to set require_secure_transport to ON and update the application connection string to use SSL parameters. — Option D is correct. To enforce SSL for all connections, you must configure the DB cluster parameter group to set require_secure_transport to ON and update the application connection string to use SSL parameters. Option A is incomplete because modifying the parameter group alone does not enforce SSL for existing connections. Option B is incorrect because modifying the security group does not enforce SSL. Option C is incorrect because using an IAM role does not enforce SSL.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
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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 setting up an Amazon Aurora MySQL-compatible database. The security policy requires that all traffic between the application and database be encrypted in transit. Which TWO steps should be taken?
easy
A.Use a Network Load Balancer with a TLS listener in front of the Aurora cluster.
B.Place the Aurora cluster in a private subnet with a VPN connection.
✓ C.Set the 'require_secure_transport' parameter to 'ON' in the DB cluster parameter group.
✓ D.Configure the application connection string to use the SSL-enabled endpoint (port 3306 with SSL).
E.Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS.
Why C: To encrypt in transit, you need to enforce SSL on the server side (Option A) and have the application use the SSL endpoint (Option B). Option C is not necessary because Aurora uses a cluster endpoint. Option D is about network-level encryption, which is not required if SSL is used. Option E is about data at rest, not in transit.
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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.
Question Discussion
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