- A
DocumentDB does not support TLS; it only supports SSL.
Why wrong: DocumentDB supports TLS.
- B
The EC2 instance is in the same VPC, so TLS is not enforced for intra-VPC traffic.
Why wrong: TLS enforcement applies regardless of network location.
- C
The developer is using an older version of the mongo shell that does not support TLS.
Why wrong: If the server enforces TLS, the connection would fail, not succeed.
- D
The 'tls' parameter was not applied to the cluster because the parameter group was not associated with the cluster or the cluster was not rebooted.
Parameter group changes require a reboot to take effect.
Question 213 of 1,730
How to Enforce TLS for Amazon DocumentDB (MongoDB Compatible) Connections
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. A key principle to apply: documentDB Parameter Groups. 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 DocumentDB (with MongoDB compatibility) for a content management system. The security team requires that all data be encrypted at rest and in transit. The DocumentDB cluster is already encrypted at rest using AWS KMS. To enforce encryption in transit, the security team wants to ensure that all client connections use TLS. The team has enabled the 'tls' parameter in the cluster parameter group. However, a developer reports that they can still connect to the cluster without specifying TLS options using the mongo shell. The developer is connecting from an EC2 instance in the same VPC. The security group for the DocumentDB cluster allows inbound traffic on port 27017 from the EC2 instance's security group. What is the most likely reason the developer can connect without TLS?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
The 'tls' parameter was not applied to the cluster because the parameter group was not associated with the cluster or the cluster was not rebooted.
Option D is correct. In Amazon DocumentDB, enabling the 'tls' parameter in the cluster parameter group requires the parameter group to be associated with the cluster and the cluster to be rebooted for the change to take effect. If the parameter group was not properly associated or the cluster was not rebooted after modifying the parameter, TLS enforcement would not be active, allowing connections without TLS. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because DocumentDB supports TLS (via SSL), intra-VPC traffic does not bypass TLS, and older mongo shell versions can still use TLS if configured.
Key principle: DocumentDB Parameter Groups
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DocumentDB does not support TLS; it only supports SSL.
Why it's wrong here
DocumentDB supports TLS.
- ✗
The EC2 instance is in the same VPC, so TLS is not enforced for intra-VPC traffic.
Why it's wrong here
TLS enforcement applies regardless of network location.
- ✗
The developer is using an older version of the mongo shell that does not support TLS.
Why it's wrong here
If the server enforces TLS, the connection would fail, not succeed.
- ✓
The 'tls' parameter was not applied to the cluster because the parameter group was not associated with the cluster or the cluster was not rebooted.
Why this is correct
Parameter group changes require a reboot to take effect.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
DocumentDB Parameter Groups
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often overlook that parameter group changes in DocumentDB require a cluster reboot to take effect, and that enabling the 'tls' parameter does not immediately force TLS on all connections.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- DocumentDB Parameter Groups
- TLS Enforcement
TExam Day Tips
- 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
DocumentDB Parameter Groups
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 documentDB Parameter Groups, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — DocumentDB Parameter Groups.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 'tls' parameter was not applied to the cluster because the parameter group was not associated with the cluster or the cluster was not rebooted. — Option D is correct. In Amazon DocumentDB, enabling the 'tls' parameter in the cluster parameter group requires the parameter group to be associated with the cluster and the cluster to be rebooted for the change to take effect. If the parameter group was not properly associated or the cluster was not rebooted after modifying the parameter, TLS enforcement would not be active, allowing connections without TLS. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because DocumentDB supports TLS (via SSL), intra-VPC traffic does not bypass TLS, and older mongo shell versions can still use TLS if configured.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review documentDB Parameter Groups, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
DocumentDB Parameter Groups
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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