The correct answer involves three steps: enabling EBS encryption by default for new volumes, creating an encrypted snapshot from existing unencrypted volumes and restoring from it, and using a custom AWS KMS key for granular control. This approach ensures that all data at rest is protected because EBS encryption by default automatically encrypts any new volumes you create, while existing unencrypted volumes must be migrated through an encrypted snapshot copy—snapshots themselves inherit encryption from the source volume, so you cannot encrypt them independently. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the encryption lifecycle for SAP HANA workloads, where compliance often mandates encrypting all EBS volumes for SAP HANA at rest. A common trap is assuming you can directly encrypt a running volume or that a specific instance type is required; in reality, encryption is a storage-layer operation independent of the instance. Memory tip: think “Default, Migrate, Key”—enable default encryption, migrate unencrypted volumes via snapshot, and control access with a custom KMS key.
PAS-C01 Operations and Maintenance Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of operations and maintenance. 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 uses multiple EBS volumes for data and log storage. The company wants to encrypt all data at rest. Which three steps are required to ensure encryption of all EBS volumes? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a custom AWS Key Management Service (KMS) key for encryption.
Option A is correct because enabling EBS encryption by default ensures new volumes are encrypted. Option B is correct because existing volumes must be encrypted by creating a snapshot copy with encryption. Option D is correct because using a custom KMS key allows control over encryption. Option C is wrong because encryption of snapshots is inherited from the volume. Option E is wrong because AWS does not require a specific instance type for encryption.
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.
✓
Use a custom AWS Key Management Service (KMS) key for encryption.
Why this is correct
A custom key provides control and auditing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable encryption on the EBS snapshots after creation.
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots inherit encryption from the volume; cannot enable after creation.
✗
Launch EC2 instances with the EBS-optimized attribute set.
Why it's wrong here
EBS optimization does not affect encryption.
✓
Enable EBS encryption by default in the AWS account for the region.
Why this is correct
This ensures all new volumes are encrypted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
For existing unencrypted volumes, create an encrypted snapshot and restore from it.
Why this is correct
This encrypts the data on the volume.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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 PAS-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.
Operations and Maintenance — This question tests Operations and Maintenance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a custom AWS Key Management Service (KMS) key for encryption. — Option A is correct because enabling EBS encryption by default ensures new volumes are encrypted. Option B is correct because existing volumes must be encrypted by creating a snapshot copy with encryption. Option D is correct because using a custom KMS key allows control over encryption. Option C is wrong because encryption of snapshots is inherited from the volume. Option E is wrong because AWS does not require a specific instance type for encryption.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which PAS-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.
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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
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