- A
Create a customer-managed key in AWS KMS.
Correct. A customer-managed KMS key must be created to control access to the encryption key.
- B
Specify the KMS key when creating the Redshift cluster.
Correct. The KMS key must be specified when creating the Redshift cluster; encryption cannot be added later.
- C
Use the AWS CLI to modify the cluster to enable encryption.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Encryption cannot be enabled on an existing unencrypted Redshift cluster by modifying it. You must create a new encrypted cluster or restore from an encrypted snapshot.
- D
Configure the Redshift cluster to use an HSM.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Redshift encryption with KMS uses KMS keys, not HSMs. HSMs are used with CloudHSM for hardware-based key storage but are not required for KMS-managed keys.
- E
Request AWS Support to enable encryption.
Why wrong: Incorrect. AWS Support cannot enable encryption. The customer must configure encryption through the AWS Management Console, CLI, or API.
DBS-C01 Amazon Redshift Encryption Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: amazon Redshift Encryption. 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 Redshift and needs to encrypt data at rest with a customer-managed key. Which THREE steps are required to enable encryption with a customer-managed AWS KMS key?
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
Create a customer-managed key in AWS KMS.
Options A and B are correct. To enable encryption with a customer-managed AWS KMS key, you must first create a customer-managed KMS key (A) and then specify that KMS key when creating a new Redshift cluster (B). Option C is incorrect because you cannot modify an existing unencrypted Redshift cluster to enable encryption; encryption must be set at cluster creation or by restoring from an encrypted snapshot. Option D is incorrect because Redshift encryption with KMS does not require an HSM. Option E is incorrect because AWS Support cannot enable encryption; it must be performed by the customer via the AWS Management Console, CLI, or API.
Key principle: Amazon Redshift Encryption
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a customer-managed key in AWS KMS.
Why this is correct
Correct. A customer-managed KMS key must be created to control access to the encryption key.
Related concept
Amazon Redshift Encryption
- ✓
Specify the KMS key when creating the Redshift cluster.
Why this is correct
Correct. The KMS key must be specified when creating the Redshift cluster; encryption cannot be added later.
Related concept
Amazon Redshift Encryption
- ✗
Use the AWS CLI to modify the cluster to enable encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Encryption cannot be enabled on an existing unencrypted Redshift cluster by modifying it. You must create a new encrypted cluster or restore from an encrypted snapshot.
- ✗
Configure the Redshift cluster to use an HSM.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Redshift encryption with KMS uses KMS keys, not HSMs. HSMs are used with CloudHSM for hardware-based key storage but are not required for KMS-managed keys.
- ✗
Request AWS Support to enable encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. AWS Support cannot enable encryption. The customer must configure encryption through the AWS Management Console, CLI, or API.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The question asks for THREE steps, but only two are actually required (A and B). A common trap is thinking a third step (like modifying the cluster via CLI) is needed, but encryption must be set at cluster creation and cannot be added later. The third 'step' is implicit—creating the cluster itself—but it is not listed as an option. Be cautious: if only two correct answers appear, do not select a third incorrect option just to meet the count.
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
- Amazon Redshift Encryption
- Customer-Managed Key
- KMS Key Specification
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
Amazon Redshift Encryption
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. Amazon Redshift Encryption 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.
Review amazon Redshift Encryption, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Database Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Database Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DBS-C01 questions
1,730 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DBS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DBS-C01 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Workload-Specific Database Design practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Workload-Specific Database Design.
Deployment and Migration practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Deployment and Migration.
Management and Operations practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Management and Operations.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Monitoring and Troubleshooting.
Database Security practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Database Security.
DBS-C01 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 fundamentals.
DBS-C01 scenario practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 scenario.
DBS-C01 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DBS-C01 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Amazon Redshift Encryption.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a customer-managed key in AWS KMS. — Options A and B are correct. To enable encryption with a customer-managed AWS KMS key, you must first create a customer-managed KMS key (A) and then specify that KMS key when creating a new Redshift cluster (B). Option C is incorrect because you cannot modify an existing unencrypted Redshift cluster to enable encryption; encryption must be set at cluster creation or by restoring from an encrypted snapshot. Option D is incorrect because Redshift encryption with KMS does not require an HSM. Option E is incorrect because AWS Support cannot enable encryption; it must be performed by the customer via the AWS Management Console, CLI, or API.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review amazon Redshift Encryption, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Amazon Redshift Encryption
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 →
Keep practising
More DBS-C01 practice questions
- A company is deploying a new application on Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The security policy requires that all data be enc…
- Match each AWS service to its primary purpose.
- A financial services company runs a production Amazon Aurora MySQL database cluster (1 writer, 2 readers) in us-east-1.…
- A company is designing a database for a global e-commerce platform that requires low-latency reads and writes from multi…
- A security auditor reviews the output of a DynamoDB table description command as shown in the exhibit. Which statement a…
- A company is migrating an on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database contains sensitive data tha…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.