DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
Network Topology
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?
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
✓
The KMS key specified may have been disabled or deleted, causing the database to be inaccessible or not encrypted.
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The database is using a default AWS managed key instead of a customer-managed key.
Why it's wrong here
The key ID is for a customer-managed key (indicated by the format).
- ✓
The KMS key specified may have been disabled or deleted, causing the database to be inaccessible or not encrypted.
Why this is correct
If the KMS key is disabled or deleted, the database may not be able to encrypt/decrypt data, leading to security concerns.
- ✗
The 'StorageEncrypted' field is false, but the CLI output shows true.
Why it's wrong here
The CLI shows StorageEncrypted is true.
- ✗
The database is not using a KMS key and is instead using a CloudHSM key.
Why it's wrong here
The output shows a KMS key ARN.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
Go deeper
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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.