DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. The output is from the AWS CLI for an RDS instance. The security team suspects that the encryption key used for this DB instance has been compromised. What is the required action to re-encrypt the instance with a new 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 snapshot of the DB instance, copy the snapshot with a new KMS key, and restore the DB instance from the copied snapshot.
RDS does not allow changing the encryption key of an existing encrypted DB instance directly. The correct method is to create a snapshot of the DB instance, copy the snapshot with a new KMS key, and then restore the DB instance from the copied snapshot. Option B is incorrect because modifying the DB instance does not allow changing the KMS key. Option C is incorrect because restoring to a point in time uses the same encryption key as the original instance. Option D is incorrect because this instance is already encrypted; to use a new key, a snapshot copy and restore is required.
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 snapshot of the DB instance, copy the snapshot with a new KMS key, and restore the DB instance from the copied snapshot.
Why this is correct
This process allows re-encryption with a new key.
- ✗
Modify the DB instance to use a new KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
RDS does not allow modifying the KMS key of an existing instance.
- ✗
Restore the DB instance to a point in time and specify a new KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
Point-in-time restore uses the original key.
- ✗
Enable encryption on a new DB instance and migrate the data.
Why it's wrong here
This instance is already encrypted; migration would require downtime.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way 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. The security team reports that the database 'mydb' is not encrypted. However, the CLI output shows 'StorageEncrypted' is true. What is the MOST likely reason for the security team's concern?
hard- A.The database is using a default AWS managed key instead of a customer-managed key.
- ✓ B.The KMS key specified may have been disabled or deleted, causing the database to be inaccessible or not encrypted.
- C.The 'StorageEncrypted' field is false, but the CLI output shows true.
- D.The database is not using a KMS key and is instead using a CloudHSM key.
Why B: The security team's concern likely stems from the possibility that the KMS key specified for encryption might have been disabled or deleted. Even though 'StorageEncrypted' is true, if the KMS key is not available, the database may become inaccessible or the encryption may not be effective. Option A is incorrect because using a default AWS managed key still provides encryption; the security team's concern is about encryption itself, not key type. Option C is incorrect because the CLI output clearly shows 'StorageEncrypted' is true, so the field is not false. Option D is incorrect because there is no indication that a CloudHSM key is involved, and using a KMS key is the standard approach for RDS encryption.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.