The correct answer is AWS CloudTrail and Amazon CloudWatch Events. CloudTrail records all DynamoDB API calls, including table deletions, as management events in its logs, while CloudWatch Events (now part of Amazon EventBridge) can be configured with a rule to match the DeleteTable API call and trigger an alert via SNS or Lambda. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the separation between data-plane and control-plane monitoring: DynamoDB Streams captures item-level changes (data plane), not API calls, and AWS Config records configuration changes but lacks native real-time alerting for specific API actions. A common trap is confusing CloudTrail for data-plane logging or assuming DynamoDB Streams can log administrative actions. Remember the mnemonic: “Trail for API, Streams for items” — CloudTrail tracks who deleted the table, while Streams tracks what changed inside it.
DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
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 uses Amazon DynamoDB for its critical application. The security team requires that all access to DynamoDB tables be logged and monitored for suspicious activity. The company also needs to be alerted when a user deletes a table. Which combination of AWS services should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS CloudTrail and Amazon CloudWatch Events.
Option B is correct because CloudTrail logs all DynamoDB API calls, and CloudWatch Events can trigger alerts. Option A is wrong because DynamoDB Streams captures item-level changes, not API calls. Option C is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls. Option D is wrong because Config records resource changes but not API calls directly for alerting.
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.
✗
AWS CloudTrail and Amazon DynamoDB Streams.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB Streams capture data changes, not API calls like DeleteTable.
✗
AWS Config and Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS).
Why it's wrong here
AWS Config tracks configuration changes but not every API call; it is not ideal for real-time alerting on DeleteTable.
✓
AWS CloudTrail and Amazon CloudWatch Events.
Why this is correct
CloudTrail logs API calls, and CloudWatch Events can create rules to match DeleteTable events and trigger alerts.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Amazon VPC Flow Logs and Amazon CloudWatch Logs.
Why it's wrong here
VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic, not DynamoDB API calls.
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: AWS CloudTrail and Amazon CloudWatch Events. — Option B is correct because CloudTrail logs all DynamoDB API calls, and CloudWatch Events can trigger alerts. Option A is wrong because DynamoDB Streams captures item-level changes, not API calls. Option C is wrong because VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic, not API calls. Option D is wrong because Config records resource changes but not API calls directly for alerting.
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.
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Question Discussion
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