The correct answer is to use a customer-managed KMS key and enable automatic key rotation. This works because DynamoDB integrates directly with AWS KMS for encryption at rest, and customer-managed keys support automatic annual rotation, which satisfies the security team’s requirement for yearly key rotation without manual intervention. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the critical distinction between AWS managed keys (which cannot have automatic rotation enabled) and customer-managed keys (which can). A common trap is assuming that any KMS key supports rotation, but only customer-managed keys offer this feature; AWS managed keys rotate only every three years and cannot be configured. Another trap is thinking you can enable encryption on an existing unencrypted table, but DynamoDB requires you to recreate the table with encryption enabled. Remember the memory tip: “Customer keys rotate yearly, AWS keys wait three years—if you want control, bring your own key.”
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 has a critical application that stores sensitive data in Amazon DynamoDB. The security team requires that all data stored in DynamoDB is encrypted at rest using a customer-managed KMS key. Additionally, they want to ensure that the key can be rotated automatically every year. Which combination of actions should be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a customer-managed KMS key and enable automatic key rotation
Option B is correct because DynamoDB supports encryption at rest with a customer-managed KMS key, and KMS supports automatic annual rotation for customer-managed keys. Option A is wrong because DynamoDB does not use CloudHSM. Option C is wrong because automatic rotation is not available for AWS managed keys (which DynamoDB uses by default). Option D is wrong because you cannot enable encryption on a table created without encryption except by recreating it.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 CloudHSM key store and enable automatic rotation
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: DynamoDB does not integrate with CloudHSM for encryption.
✓
Use a customer-managed KMS key and enable automatic key rotation
Why this is correct
Correct: DynamoDB supports customer-managed KMS keys and KMS automatic rotation.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use an AWS managed KMS key and enable automatic key rotation
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: AWS managed keys do not support automatic rotation.
✗
Enable encryption on the existing DynamoDB table and use a customer-managed KMS key
Why it's wrong here
Wrong: You cannot enable encryption on an existing DynamoDB table; you must create a new table.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a customer-managed KMS key and enable automatic key rotation — Option B is correct because DynamoDB supports encryption at rest with a customer-managed KMS key, and KMS supports automatic annual rotation for customer-managed keys. Option A is wrong because DynamoDB does not use CloudHSM. Option C is wrong because automatic rotation is not available for AWS managed keys (which DynamoDB uses by default). Option D is wrong because you cannot enable encryption on a table created without encryption except by recreating it.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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