DBS-C01 Database Security Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are valid ways to encrypt data at rest in Amazon DynamoDB? (Select TWO.)
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
✓
Use AWS owned CMK for server-side encryption.
Options A and E are correct. DynamoDB offers server-side encryption at rest using AWS owned CMK (A) or customer managed CMK from AWS KMS (E). Option B is incorrect because Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is not supported by DynamoDB—it is used for relational databases. Option C is incorrect because DynamoDB is serverless and does not provision EBS volumes; its encryption is handled internally. Option D is incorrect because client-side encryption is applied before data is sent to DynamoDB, not encryption at rest of the DynamoDB service 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.
- ✓
Use AWS owned CMK for server-side encryption.
Why this is correct
DynamoDB encrypts at rest by default using AWS owned keys.
- ✗
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE).
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB does not support TDE.
- ✗
Enable EBS encryption on the underlying storage.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is serverless and does not use EBS volumes.
- ✗
Implement client-side encryption before sending data to DynamoDB.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption protects data before it reaches DynamoDB, but it is not DynamoDB's encryption at rest.
- ✓
Use a customer managed CMK from AWS KMS.
Why this is correct
You can specify a customer managed KMS key for DynamoDB encryption.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 1,663 original DBS-C01 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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. Which THREE are valid methods to encrypt data at rest in Amazon DynamoDB? (Choose 3.)
hard- ✓ A.Use a customer managed CMK.
- B.Use S3 server-side encryption.
- ✓ C.Use an AWS-owned CMK.
- ✓ D.Use an AWS managed CMK.
- E.Use client-side encryption with the DynamoDB Encryption Client.
Why A: DynamoDB encryption at rest is implemented through AWS KMS, supporting three types of customer master keys (CMKs): AWS-owned CMKs (default), AWS managed CMKs, and customer managed CMKs. Option A is correct because customer managed CMKs are fully supported, allowing you to create, manage, and control key policies and rotation. Option C (AWS-owned) and D (AWS managed) are also correct. Option E (client-side encryption with DynamoDB Encryption Client) is not an encryption-at-rest method provided by DynamoDB; it encrypts data before transmission, but data at rest is still encrypted by DynamoDB's server-side encryption. Option B is irrelevant as S3 server-side encryption does not apply to DynamoDB.
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.