The correct answer is to enable server-side encryption (SSE) for the SQS queue using AWS KMS, which automatically encrypts messages at rest as they are written to the queue’s underlying storage. This works because AWS KMS manages the encryption keys, so when a message is sent, SQS requests a data key from KMS to encrypt the payload, and when the message is consumed, SQS decrypts it transparently using the same key. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that SSE with KMS requires no client-side code changes—a common trap is thinking you need to manually encrypt messages in the application or use an SQS-managed key, but the correct approach is to enable SSE and optionally use a customer managed KMS key for finer control over key rotation and access policies. Remember the memory tip: “SSE with KMS means SQS does the encrypting, not your code.”
DVA-C02 Security Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 developer is deploying an application that uses Amazon SQS queues. The messages contain sensitive data that must be encrypted at rest. Which TWO actions should the developer take? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the SQS queue to use a customer managed KMS key.
Option C is correct because configuring an SQS queue to use a customer managed KMS key gives you control over the key lifecycle, including rotation and access policies, while still leveraging AWS KMS for server-side encryption. Option D is also correct because enabling server-side encryption (SSE) for SQS using AWS KMS encrypts messages at rest automatically, without requiring client-side changes. Together, these two actions ensure that sensitive data in SQS messages is encrypted at rest using KMS, meeting the requirement.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Encrypt the messages client-side before sending to SQS.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is possible but not required; SSE is simpler.
✗
Store the messages in an S3 bucket with default encryption instead of using SQS.
Why it's wrong here
This changes the architecture, not an action for SQS.
✓
Configure the SQS queue to use a customer managed KMS key.
Why this is correct
You can specify a KMS key for SSE.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable server-side encryption (SSE) for the SQS queue using AWS KMS.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS CloudHSM to generate and store the encryption keys.
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM is not integrated with SQS SSE.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think client-side encryption (Option A) is required for encryption at rest, but SQS SSE with KMS provides server-side encryption at rest without needing to modify the application code, making client-side encryption redundant for this specific requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When you enable SSE for an SQS queue with a customer managed KMS key, SQS automatically encrypts messages at rest using envelope encryption: the KMS key encrypts a data key, which then encrypts the message. This happens transparently, and decryption occurs when messages are consumed, with SQS handling the KMS Decrypt API call. A subtle behavior is that using a customer managed key allows you to enforce key rotation policies and audit key usage via CloudTrail, whereas AWS managed keys (default) do not provide the same level of control.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the SQS queue to use a customer managed KMS key. — Option C is correct because configuring an SQS queue to use a customer managed KMS key gives you control over the key lifecycle, including rotation and access policies, while still leveraging AWS KMS for server-side encryption. Option D is also correct because enabling server-side encryption (SSE) for SQS using AWS KMS encrypts messages at rest automatically, without requiring client-side changes. Together, these two actions ensure that sensitive data in SQS messages is encrypted at rest using KMS, meeting the requirement.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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