- A
Place each user's data in a separate database and use VPC endpoints to isolate access
Why wrong: Overly complex and doesn't use row-level security.
- B
Create separate database views for each user
Why wrong: Not scalable for many users.
- C
Use a MySQL proxy that injects session context variables and enable row-level security in the application queries
Allows dynamic row filtering per user.
- D
Use IAM database authentication and define fine-grained access policies
Why wrong: IAM auth controls login, not row-level filtering.
Question 577 of 1,730
DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 financial services company needs to enforce row-level security on a MySQL database hosted on Amazon RDS. They want to restrict access so that each application user can only see their own data. Which approach should they take?
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 a MySQL proxy that injects session context variables and enable row-level security in the application queries
Option C is correct because MySQL does not natively support row-level security (RLS) like PostgreSQL or SQL Server. Instead, you can implement RLS by using a MySQL proxy (e.g., ProxySQL, Amazon RDS Proxy) that injects session context variables (e.g., user_id) at connection time. Application queries then reference these variables in WHERE clauses (e.g., WHERE user_id = @@session.user_id), effectively restricting each user to their own data without modifying the underlying schema.
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.
- ✗
Place each user's data in a separate database and use VPC endpoints to isolate access
Why it's wrong here
Overly complex and doesn't use row-level security.
- ✗
Create separate database views for each user
Why it's wrong here
Not scalable for many users.
- ✓
Use a MySQL proxy that injects session context variables and enable row-level security in the application queries
Why this is correct
Allows dynamic row filtering per user.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use IAM database authentication and define fine-grained access policies
Why it's wrong here
IAM auth controls login, not row-level filtering.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse IAM database authentication (which only handles authentication) with authorization (row-level access), leading them to incorrectly select Option D, while overlooking the need for a proxy-based solution to inject session context for row filtering.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the proxy approach leverages MySQL session variables (e.g., SET @user_id = ?) that persist for the duration of the connection. Application queries must be rewritten to include a WHERE clause referencing these variables; this is often handled by an ORM or middleware layer. In a real-world scenario, a financial services company might use Amazon RDS Proxy with Lambda authorizers to set the user context, ensuring that even if a developer bypasses the application, direct database access still enforces the row-level restriction.
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.
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
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 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a MySQL proxy that injects session context variables and enable row-level security in the application queries — Option C is correct because MySQL does not natively support row-level security (RLS) like PostgreSQL or SQL Server. Instead, you can implement RLS by using a MySQL proxy (e.g., ProxySQL, Amazon RDS Proxy) that injects session context variables (e.g., user_id) at connection time. Application queries then reference these variables in WHERE clauses (e.g., WHERE user_id = @@session.user_id), effectively restricting each user to their own data without modifying the underlying schema.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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