Quick Answer
The answer is to use AWS KMS with a customer managed key (CMK). This is correct because a customer managed key gives you full control over the encryption keys used for SAP HANA EBS encryption, including the ability to set key rotation policies, define granular IAM access policies, and manually disable or delete the key when needed—all while keeping the key material within AWS KMS for centralized auditing. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the difference between AWS managed keys and customer managed keys, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose a solution that uses an external key store or a simple default encryption option. The key distinction is that only a CMK satisfies the “manage the encryption keys themselves” requirement without sacrificing AWS KMS integration. Memory tip: think “CMK = Customer Managed Keys = Customer Controls Keys.”
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of design of sap workloads on aws. 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 company is running SAP HANA on AWS and wants to encrypt the EBS volumes at rest. They also need to manage the encryption keys themselves. Which solution should they use?
Use AWS KMS with a customer managed key (CMK)
CMK allows customer to manage keys.
Enable EBS encryption with the default AWS managed KMS key
Why wrong: Default key is AWS-managed, not customer managed.
Use AWS CloudHSM to store keys
Why wrong: CloudHSM is possible but overkill and not directly integrated with EBS encryption.
Use AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store
Why wrong: Parameter Store is not for EBS encryption.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use AWS KMS with a customer managed key (CMK)
Option A is correct because AWS KMS with a customer managed key (CMK) allows the company to have full control over the encryption keys used for EBS volume encryption, including key rotation, access policies, and disabling or deleting the key. This meets the requirement to manage the encryption keys themselves while still leveraging AWS KMS for key management and auditing.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use AWS KMS with a customer managed key (CMK)
Why this is correct
CMK allows customer to manage keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable EBS encryption with the default AWS managed KMS key
Why it's wrong here
Default key is AWS-managed, not customer managed.
Use AWS CloudHSM to store keys
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM is possible but overkill and not directly integrated with EBS encryption.
Use AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store
Why it's wrong here
Parameter Store is not for EBS encryption.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse CloudHSM as a valid option for EBS encryption because it provides key storage, but AWS EBS encryption only supports KMS keys, not direct CloudHSM integration.
Detailed technical explanation
When you create a customer managed key in AWS KMS, you can define key policies, enable automatic key rotation (annually), and use the key to encrypt EBS volumes via the AWS EBS encryption feature, which uses envelope encryption with a data key generated by KMS. The key material is stored in KMS's FIPS 140-2 validated hardware security modules, and you can audit key usage via AWS CloudTrail. In a real-world scenario, if the company needs to comply with regulations like GDPR or PCI DSS that require customer-controlled key management, a CMK is the appropriate choice.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Design of SAP Workloads on AWS — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Design of SAP Workloads on AWS practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All PAS-C01 questions
1,733 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
PAS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to Design of SAP Workloads on AWS.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to Technology.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to Migration.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to Operations and Maintenance.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to PAS-C01 fundamentals.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to PAS-C01 scenario.
Practise PAS-C01 questions linked to PAS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Design of SAP Workloads on AWS — This question tests Design of SAP Workloads on AWS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use AWS KMS with a customer managed key (CMK) — Option A is correct because AWS KMS with a customer managed key (CMK) allows the company to have full control over the encryption keys used for EBS volume encryption, including key rotation, access policies, and disabling or deleting the key. This meets the requirement to manage the encryption keys themselves while still leveraging AWS KMS for key management and auditing.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PAS-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 PAS-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.