The answer is to create a cross-Region read replica, enable Multi-AZ with automatic failover, and configure automated backups with a 5-minute backup window. This combination meets the 5-minute RPO by leveraging synchronous replication in Multi-AZ and frequent transaction log backups, while the cross-Region read replica can be promoted in under an hour to satisfy the 1-hour RTO, as promotion is significantly faster than restoring a manual snapshot. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that encrypted RDS SQL Server requires the customer-managed KMS key to be available in the secondary Region for cross-Region disaster recovery, and that manual snapshots are a common trap because they lack automation and cannot achieve a 5-minute RPO. Remember the memory tip: “Read replicas for RTO, Multi-AZ for RPO, and KMS keys must cross the border.”
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 is designing a disaster recovery strategy for an Amazon RDS for SQL Server DB instance that contains sensitive financial data. The database must be encrypted at rest using a customer-managed AWS KMS key. The recovery point objective (RPO) is 5 minutes, and the recovery time objective (RTO) is 1 hour. Which THREE steps should be taken to meet these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Multi-AZ deployment for automatic failover.
To meet the RPO of 5 minutes, enable Multi-AZ with automatic failover (Option A) and automated backups with a 5-minute backup window (Option B). For RTO of 1 hour, manual DB snapshot restore is faster than point-in-time restore; automated backups allow point-in-time recovery but may take longer. Option C is wrong because manual snapshots are not automated; you need automated backups. Option D is correct because you need to ensure the KMS key is available in the secondary Region for cross-Region DR. Option E is correct because a read replica can be promoted faster than restoring from a snapshot.
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.
✗
Take a manual DB snapshot every hour.
Why it's wrong here
Manual snapshots are not frequent enough for a 5-minute RPO.
✓
Enable Multi-AZ deployment for automatic failover.
Why this is correct
Multi-AZ provides automatic failover within a Region, helping meet RTO.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Store the KMS key in the secondary Region by creating a cross-Region KMS key replica.
Why it's wrong here
KMS keys are regional; you must use a separate KMS key in the secondary Region and encrypt the replica with that key.
✓
Configure automated backups with a 5-minute backup interval.
Why this is correct
Automated backups allow point-in-time recovery within 5 minutes, meeting RPO.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Create a cross-Region read replica in a different AWS Region.
Why this is correct
A cross-Region read replica can be promoted quickly, meeting RTO, and can use the same KMS key if configured.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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: Enable Multi-AZ deployment for automatic failover. — To meet the RPO of 5 minutes, enable Multi-AZ with automatic failover (Option A) and automated backups with a 5-minute backup window (Option B). For RTO of 1 hour, manual DB snapshot restore is faster than point-in-time restore; automated backups allow point-in-time recovery but may take longer. Option C is wrong because manual snapshots are not automated; you need automated backups. Option D is correct because you need to ensure the KMS key is available in the secondary Region for cross-Region DR. Option E is correct because a read replica can be promoted faster than restoring from a snapshot.
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.
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Question Discussion
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