The correct answer is a combination of AWS KMS, AWS CloudHSM, and Amazon EBS encryption. This trio meets the requirement because AWS KMS provides the customer master keys (CMKs) that control access, while AWS CloudHSM offers a dedicated hardware security module (HSM) for generating and storing the key material, ensuring the customer retains sole management. Amazon EBS encryption then uses these KMS keys to transparently encrypt the underlying block storage volumes where SAP HANA data resides, covering all data at rest. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the layered encryption model for SAP HANA, often appearing as a multi-select question where a common trap is confusing S3 server-side encryption or ACM certificates for this specific use case. Remember the memory tip: “KMS for control, CloudHSM for custody, EBS for coverage” — each service plays a distinct role in encrypting SAP HANA data at rest with customer-managed keys.
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. 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.
An organization runs SAP on AWS and wants to encrypt all data at rest for the SAP HANA database. The encryption keys must be managed by the customer and rotated annually. Which THREE AWS services can be used together to meet these requirements? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon EBS encryption
Options A, B, and C are correct: AWS KMS manages customer master keys, CloudHSM provides hardware security module, and EBS encryption uses KMS. Option D is wrong because S3 encryption can use KMS but not directly for EBS. Option E is wrong because ACM is for SSL/TLS certificates.
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.
✗
Amazon S3 server-side encryption
Why it's wrong here
S3 SSE is for object storage, not directly for EBS volumes.
✓
Amazon EBS encryption
Why this is correct
EBS volumes can be encrypted using KMS keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
AWS Key Management Service (KMS)
Why this is correct
KMS allows you to create and manage customer managed keys with automatic annual rotation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
AWS CloudHSM
Why this is correct
CloudHSM provides dedicated HSM for key storage and can be used with KMS via custom key store.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
AWS Certificate Manager (ACM)
Why it's wrong here
ACM manages SSL/TLS certificates, not encryption keys for data at rest.
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.
Technology — This question tests Technology — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Amazon EBS encryption — Options A, B, and C are correct: AWS KMS manages customer master keys, CloudHSM provides hardware security module, and EBS encryption uses KMS. Option D is wrong because S3 encryption can use KMS but not directly for EBS. Option E is wrong because ACM is for SSL/TLS certificates.
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.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO options are valid methods for encrypting data at rest in an SAP HANA database running on Amazon EBS? (Choose two.)
medium
A.Use SSL/TLS connections to the database.
✓ B.Enable SAP HANA native encryption for the database.
C.Use AWS KMS to encrypt the database schema.
D.Store database files in Amazon S3 with SSE-S3.
✓ E.Enable EBS encryption when launching the EC2 instance.
Why B: Options A and C are correct. Option A: EBS encryption at launch provides at-rest encryption. Option C: SAP HANA native encryption also encrypts data at rest. Option B is wrong because SSL/TLS is for data in transit. Option D is wrong because KMS encrypts EBS volumes, not the database directly. Option E is wrong because S3 encryption is for S3 objects, not EBS.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
Question Discussion
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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.
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