The correct answer is that AWS KMS is a regional service and customer master keys can be automatically rotated yearly. KMS is designed to operate within a single AWS Region, meaning a CMK created in one region cannot be used to encrypt or decrypt data in another region without cross-region key operations, which reinforces the fundamental AWS KMS key management feature of regionality. This distinction is critical on the ANS-C01 exam, where you must understand that KMS does not store your actual data—it only encrypts data keys using envelope encryption—and that automatic rotation is supported only for AWS-managed CMKs and customer-managed CMKs with a yearly rotation period. A common trap is confusing key rotation with key material import; remember that imported key material cannot be automatically rotated. For the exam, keep this memory tip: “KMS is regional, not global; keys rotate yearly, not monthly.”
ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. 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.
Which TWO statements about AWS Key Management Service (KMS) are correct? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Customer master keys (CMKs) can be automatically rotated every year.
Options A and E are correct. KMS is a regional service (A). Customer master keys (CMKs) can be automatically rotated yearly (E). Option B is wrong because KMS does not store data; it encrypts data keys. Option C is wrong because KMS uses envelope encryption. Option D is wrong because you can import your own key material.
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.
✓
Customer master keys (CMKs) can be automatically rotated every year.
Why this is correct
AWS KMS can automatically rotate CMKs annually.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
KMS uses symmetric encryption only.
Why it's wrong here
KMS supports both symmetric and asymmetric keys.
✗
KMS can store encrypted data.
Why it's wrong here
KMS does not store data; it manages encryption keys.
✓
KMS is a regional service.
Why this is correct
KMS is region-specific, keys do not leave the region.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
You cannot import your own key material into KMS.
Why it's wrong here
You can import your own key material.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which ANS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Customer master keys (CMKs) can be automatically rotated every year. — Options A and E are correct. KMS is a regional service (A). Customer master keys (CMKs) can be automatically rotated yearly (E). Option B is wrong because KMS does not store data; it encrypts data keys. Option C is wrong because KMS uses envelope encryption. Option D is wrong because you can import your own key material.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which ANS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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This ANS-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 ANS-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
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