DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
Which THREE components are required to set up IAM database authentication for an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance? (Choose three.)
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
✓
An IAM role that the application can assume.
The three required components for setting up IAM database authentication for an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance are: (A) an IAM role that the application can assume to retrieve an authentication token from IAM; (C) a database user that is mapped to the IAM role in the RDS MySQL database; and (D) a DB parameter group with `require_secure_transport` set to ON to enforce SSL/TLS connections, which are mandatory for IAM authentication. Option B (AWS KMS key) is not required because the authentication token is signed by IAM, not encrypted with KMS. Option E (RDS Proxy) is optional and not a requirement; while it can provide connection pooling, it is not needed to set up IAM authentication itself.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
An IAM role that the application can assume.
Why this is correct
The application assumes the IAM role to get authentication tokens.
- ✗
An AWS KMS key to encrypt the authentication token.
Why it's wrong here
Authentication tokens are signed using AWS Signature V4, not KMS.
- ✓
A database user that is mapped to the IAM role.
Why this is correct
The database user is created and granted access for the IAM role.
- ✓
A DB parameter group with require_secure_transport set to ON.
Why this is correct
IAM authentication requires SSL/TLS connections.
- ✗
An RDS Proxy to manage connections.
Why it's wrong here
RDS Proxy is optional and not a requirement for IAM authentication.
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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.