Quick Answer
The answer is to use Redshift audit logging, Amazon CloudWatch Logs, and S3 Object Lock together. Redshift audit logging captures all SQL query text and user activity, which can be streamed to CloudWatch Logs as a centralized destination. From there, CloudWatch Logs can export the logs to an Amazon S3 bucket, and enabling S3 Object Lock on that bucket ensures the logs are stored in a secure, immutable location—preventing any deletion or overwriting even by privileged users. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of compliance-focused audit trails; a common trap is confusing Redshift’s system tables or performance monitoring features (like WLM) with actual audit logging. Remember that immutable storage for audit logs always points to S3 Object Lock, not to encryption or versioning alone. A helpful memory tip is “Log, Lock, and Load”—Redshift logs the queries, CloudWatch loads them, and S3 Object Lock locks them down.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of database security. 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 company is using Amazon Redshift for analytics. The security team wants to audit all SQL queries executed against the database, including the actual query text, for compliance. They also want to ensure that the audit logs are stored in a secure, immutable location. Which THREE services or features should they use together to meet these requirements?
Redshift Audit Logging
Captures SQL query logs.
VPC Flow Logs
Why wrong: Captures network traffic, not SQL queries.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Can receive audit logs from Redshift and export to S3.
Redshift Spectrum
Why wrong: Used for querying data in S3, not for auditing.
S3 Object Lock
Provides immutability for logs stored in S3.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Redshift Audit Logging
Options A, C, and E are correct. Redshift Audit Logging captures SQL queries. CloudWatch Logs can be used as a destination for audit logs (via streaming). Then, CloudWatch Logs can export logs to S3, and S3 Object Lock provides immutability. Option B is for performance, not auditing. Option D is for network monitoring.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Redshift Audit Logging
Why this is correct
Captures SQL query logs.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
VPC Flow Logs
Why it's wrong here
Captures network traffic, not SQL queries.
Amazon CloudWatch Logs
Why this is correct
Can receive audit logs from Redshift and export to S3.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Redshift Spectrum
Why it's wrong here
Used for querying data in S3, not for auditing.
S3 Object Lock
Why this is correct
Provides immutability for logs stored in S3.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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
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 — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Database Security — This question tests Database Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Redshift Audit Logging — Options A, C, and E are correct. Redshift Audit Logging captures SQL queries. CloudWatch Logs can be used as a destination for audit logs (via streaming). Then, CloudWatch Logs can export logs to S3, and S3 Object Lock provides immutability. Option B is for performance, not auditing. Option D is for network monitoring.
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.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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