The correct answer is to set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group. This configuration forces all client connections to your RDS for PostgreSQL instance to use SSL/TLS encryption, ensuring that data is encrypted in transit between the application and the database. Without this parameter enabled, clients can connect without SSL, leaving the connection vulnerable to interception, even if the database itself is encrypted at rest. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to enforce SSL connections for RDS PostgreSQL, often appearing as a distractor alongside options like enabling encryption at rest or modifying security groups—neither of which encrypts the actual data channel. A common trap is confusing encryption at rest with encryption in transit; remember that RDS encryption at rest protects stored data, not the connection. Memory tip: think “force SSL” as the on/off switch for the TLS handshake—without it, the door is open.
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 hosts a critical application on Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The security team requires that all database connections be encrypted in transit. Which configuration step is necessary?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group.
Enforcing SSL/TLS for connections is required for encryption in transit. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because enabling encryption at rest does not encrypt data in transit. Option C is wrong because a VPN encrypts network traffic but does not enforce database-level SSL. Option D is wrong because modifying security group rules does not encrypt connections.
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.
✗
Create a VPN connection between the application and the database.
Why it's wrong here
VPN encrypts network traffic but does not enforce database SSL.
✓
Set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group.
Why this is correct
This parameter enforces SSL connections to the database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Modify the security group to allow only port 5432 from the application.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups do not encrypt traffic.
✗
Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest does not protect data in transit.
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.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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: Set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group. — Enforcing SSL/TLS for connections is required for encryption in transit. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because enabling encryption at rest does not encrypt data in transit. Option C is wrong because a VPN encrypts network traffic but does not enforce database-level SSL. Option D is wrong because modifying security group rules does not encrypt connections.
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.
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. An application uses an Amazon RDS for MySQL database. The security team requires that all traffic to the database be encrypted in transit. Which configuration ensures this?
medium
A.Use the default RDS parameter group.
✓ B.Create a custom DB parameter group with the require_secure_transport parameter set to ON.
C.Configure the security group to allow only port 3306 from the application.
D.Use a network ACL to restrict inbound traffic to port 3306.
Why B: Option C is correct because enforcing SSL/TLS via parameter groups ensures all connections use encryption. Option A is wrong because security groups control network access, not encryption. Option B is wrong because the default RDS parameter group does not enforce SSL. Option D is wrong because NACLs are stateless and do not enforce encryption.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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.
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