- A
Enable IAM database authentication for the RDS instance.
Why wrong: IAM database authentication does not enforce encryption; it uses IAM credentials for access but does not encrypt the connection.
- B
Use a security group rule that allows traffic only on port 443.
Why wrong: Security groups filter traffic based on IP addresses and ports, not encryption. Port 443 does not guarantee encryption.
- C
Configure the RDS DB instance to require SSL/TLS connections and configure the application to connect using SSL.
Enabling SSL/TLS on RDS ensures that all connections to the database are encrypted in transit.
- D
Place both the EC2 instance and the RDS database in the same subnet and use a network ACL to enforce encryption.
Why wrong: Network ACLs operate at the subnet level and cannot enforce encryption; they only allow or deny traffic based on rules.
Quick Answer
The answer is to configure the RDS DB instance to require SSL/TLS connections and configure the application to connect using SSL. This is correct because enforcing SSL/TLS at the database layer ensures that all data transmitted between the EC2 instance and RDS is encrypted in transit, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks or packet sniffing on the network path. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of encryption in transit versus encryption at rest and the limitations of network controls like security groups and network ACLs, which only filter traffic but cannot enforce encryption. A common trap is confusing IAM database authentication with encryption—IAM controls access, not data protection. Remember that security groups and NACLs are network-layer controls, not application-layer encryption mechanisms. Memory tip: SSL/TLS is the only way to encrypt the wire; everything else just controls who gets on the wire.
ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 security engineer must ensure that all traffic between an application running on Amazon EC2 and an Amazon RDS database is encrypted in transit. The VPC has a public subnet for the EC2 instance and a private subnet for the RDS database. What is the MOST secure way to enforce encryption for this traffic?
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
Configure the RDS DB instance to require SSL/TLS connections and configure the application to connect using SSL.
Option D is correct because enabling IAM database authentication does not enforce encryption in transit; it only controls access. Option A is incorrect because requiring SSL/TLS for the database connection ensures encryption between the client and the database. Option B is incorrect because a security group cannot enforce encryption; it only controls traffic at the network layer. Option C is incorrect because a network ACL is stateless and cannot enforce encryption.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable IAM database authentication for the RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
IAM database authentication does not enforce encryption; it uses IAM credentials for access but does not encrypt the connection.
- ✗
Use a security group rule that allows traffic only on port 443.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups filter traffic based on IP addresses and ports, not encryption. Port 443 does not guarantee encryption.
- ✓
Configure the RDS DB instance to require SSL/TLS connections and configure the application to connect using SSL.
- ✗
Place both the EC2 instance and the RDS database in the same subnet and use a network ACL to enforce encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Network ACLs operate at the subnet level and cannot enforce encryption; they only allow or deny traffic based on rules.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ANS-C01 question test?
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the RDS DB instance to require SSL/TLS connections and configure the application to connect using SSL. — Option D is correct because enabling IAM database authentication does not enforce encryption in transit; it only controls access. Option A is incorrect because requiring SSL/TLS for the database connection ensures encryption between the client and the database. Option B is incorrect because a security group cannot enforce encryption; it only controls traffic at the network layer. Option C is incorrect because a network ACL is stateless and cannot enforce encryption.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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