- A
Use a client-side encryption library to encrypt data before sending to the database.
Why wrong: This is not required because RDS provides encryption at rest and in transit.
- B
Enable encryption for automated backups separately.
Why wrong: Automated backups are encrypted if the instance is encrypted; no separate action needed.
- C
Enable encryption at rest by specifying a KMS key when creating the DB instance.
This encrypts the data at rest.
- D
Create an encrypted read replica and promote it to master.
Why wrong: This does not encrypt the original master instance.
- E
Set the parameter rds.force_ssl to 1 in the DB parameter group.
This enforces SSL connections for data in transit.
Question 1,220 of 1,730
RDS Encryption at Rest and in Transit
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 is deploying a new application on Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The security policy requires that all data be encrypted at rest and in transit. Which TWO actions should the company take to meet these requirements?
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
✓
Enable encryption at rest by specifying a KMS key when creating the DB instance.
To encrypt data at rest, you must enable encryption when creating the DB instance by specifying a KMS key (Option C). RDS automatically encrypts automated backups for encrypted instances, so Option B is unnecessary. To encrypt data in transit, you must enforce SSL/TLS connections by setting the parameter rds.force_ssl to 1 in the DB parameter group (Option E). Option A is incorrect because client-side encryption is not required when using RDS encryption and SSL; the requirement is to use RDS features. Option D is incorrect because creating an encrypted read replica does not encrypt the original master instance; you need to enable encryption on the master from the start.
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.
- ✗
Use a client-side encryption library to encrypt data before sending to the database.
Why it's wrong here
This is not required because RDS provides encryption at rest and in transit.
- ✗
Enable encryption for automated backups separately.
Why it's wrong here
Automated backups are encrypted if the instance is encrypted; no separate action needed.
- ✓
Enable encryption at rest by specifying a KMS key when creating the DB instance.
Why this is correct
This encrypts the data at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create an encrypted read replica and promote it to master.
Why it's wrong here
This does not encrypt the original master instance.
- ✓
Set the parameter rds.force_ssl to 1 in the DB parameter group.
Why this is correct
This enforces SSL connections for data in transit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
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: Enable encryption at rest by specifying a KMS key when creating the DB instance. — To encrypt data at rest, you must enable encryption when creating the DB instance by specifying a KMS key (Option C). RDS automatically encrypts automated backups for encrypted instances, so Option B is unnecessary. To encrypt data in transit, you must enforce SSL/TLS connections by setting the parameter rds.force_ssl to 1 in the DB parameter group (Option E). Option A is incorrect because client-side encryption is not required when using RDS encryption and SSL; the requirement is to use RDS features. Option D is incorrect because creating an encrypted read replica does not encrypt the original master instance; you need to enable encryption on the master from the start.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on DBS-C01
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 designing a multi-tier application that uses Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The application must encrypt data at rest and in transit. Which combination of steps should be taken to meet these requirements? (Choose the single best answer.)
easy- A.Use client-side encryption for data before sending to RDS, and enable encryption at rest after the instance is created.
- ✓ B.Enable encryption at rest when launching the RDS instance, and configure the DB parameter group to require SSL connections.
- C.Launch the RDS instance without encryption, then enable encryption at rest using the AWS Console.
- D.Use AWS KMS to encrypt the connection between the application and RDS.
Why B: Option B is correct because Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL supports encryption at rest only when enabled at instance launch, and SSL/TLS encryption in transit is enforced by configuring the DB parameter group to require SSL connections (e.g., setting `rds.force_ssl=1`). Encryption at rest cannot be added after creation, and SSL ensures data is encrypted between the application and the database.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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