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mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped

Exhibit

Application configuration excerpt:

DB_HOST=db-prod.abc123.us-east-1.rds.amazonaws.com
DB_USER=app_user
DB_PASSWORD=stored_in_env_var

Operational requirement:
- Password must rotate automatically every 30 days
- Application should retrieve the current password securely when starting connections
- Security wants a managed service that stores versions of the secret and supports rotation workflows

Based on the exhibit, which AWS service should the team use so the database password can rotate automatically every 30 days and the application can retrieve it securely at runtime?

Question 1mediummultiple choice
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Based on the exhibit, which AWS service should the team use so the database password can rotate automatically every 30 days and the application can retrieve it securely at runtime?

Full question →

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.

A

Distractor review

AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a standard String parameter

Standard String parameters do not provide secret rotation workflows and are not designed for password lifecycle management.

B

Best answer

AWS Secrets Manager

Secrets Manager is built for storing and rotating credentials such as database passwords. It supports secret versioning, fine-grained access control, and managed rotation workflows, making it the best fit for a 30-day automated rotation requirement. The application can retrieve the current secret at runtime without embedding the password in code or environment variables.

C

Distractor review

Amazon Cognito user pools

Cognito manages application sign-in for end users, not backend database credentials or password rotation for RDS.

D

Distractor review

AWS Key Management Service customer managed keys

KMS protects encryption keys, but it does not store application passwords or rotate database credentials.

Common exam trap

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.

Technical deep dive

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.

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More questions from this exam

Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.

Question 1

A team needs to distribute TCP traffic (not HTTP) across multiple services. The services must see the original client source IP for auditing. Which AWS load balancer is the best fit?

Question 2

A team wants to run containerized services with AWS-managed orchestration and autoscaling. They do NOT require Kubernetes compatibility. Which AWS service choice is most appropriate to meet these goals?

Question 3

A solutions architect is designing an S3 bucket for a IoT ingestion API. The objects must never be publicly accessible, even if a developer later adds an overly broad bucket policy. What should the architect configure? The design must avoid adding custom operational scripts.

Question 4

A solutions architect is designing an S3 bucket for a claims portal. The objects must never be publicly accessible, even if a developer later adds an overly broad bucket policy. What should the architect configure?

Question 5

A team wants to delegate IAM management to developers, but must ensure developers can never grant themselves permissions beyond a specific limit. Which AWS mechanism best matches this requirement?

Question 6

A solutions architect is designing an S3 bucket for a healthcare document service. The objects must never be publicly accessible, even if a developer later adds an overly broad bucket policy. What should the architect configure?

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this SAA-C03 question test?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: AWS Secrets Manager — Secrets Manager is the right service for application credentials that need automatic rotation. It stores the password as a secret, supports versioning, and integrates with rotation workflows so the database credential can change on schedule without manual intervention. The application should fetch the current secret at runtime rather than hardcode it in environment variables. This meets both security and operational requirements. Why others are wrong: Parameter Store can store values securely, but it does not provide the same managed rotation model for credentials. Cognito is for authenticating users, not backend database passwords. KMS manages encryption keys, not secret values, so it cannot replace a secrets manager for rotating a database login.

What should I do if I get this SAA-C03 question wrong?

Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.

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