- A
Create a VPC peering connection between the Lambda VPC and the RDS VPC.
Why wrong: VPC peering is used to connect different VPCs, but Lambda functions are not directly associated with a VPC unless configured.
- B
Place the Lambda function in a public subnet and use a NAT gateway to access the RDS database.
Why wrong: A NAT gateway is used for outbound internet access, but RDS is in a private subnet and does not need internet access.
- C
Configure the Lambda function to run in the same VPC as the RDS database, in the same private subnet.
Attaching the Lambda function to the VPC allows it to access resources in private subnets directly.
- D
Use a VPC endpoint for Lambda to connect to the RDS database.
Why wrong: There is no VPC endpoint for Lambda; Lambda uses VPC endpoints for other services like S3. To access RDS, you must attach the Lambda function to the VPC.
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 an AWS Lambda function that needs to access an Amazon RDS database. The database is in a private subnet. Which configuration will allow the Lambda function to securely access the database without traversing the internet?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Configure the Lambda function to run in the same VPC as the RDS database, in the same private subnet.
The correct answer is D because Lambda functions can be attached to a VPC to access resources in private subnets. Option A is wrong because a NAT gateway is used for outbound internet access, not for inbound access to RDS. Option B is wrong because VPC peering is used to connect VPCs, not for Lambda access. Option C is wrong because a VPC endpoint for Lambda does not exist; Lambda uses VPC endpoints for other services, but to access RDS you attach the function to the VPC.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a VPC peering connection between the Lambda VPC and the RDS VPC.
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering is used to connect different VPCs, but Lambda functions are not directly associated with a VPC unless configured.
- ✗
Place the Lambda function in a public subnet and use a NAT gateway to access the RDS database.
- ✓
Configure the Lambda function to run in the same VPC as the RDS database, in the same private subnet.
Why this is correct
Attaching the Lambda function to the VPC allows it to access resources in private subnets directly.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Use a VPC endpoint for Lambda to connect to the RDS database.
Why it's wrong here
There is no VPC endpoint for Lambda; Lambda uses VPC endpoints for other services like S3. To access RDS, you must attach the Lambda function to the VPC.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SCS-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the Lambda function to run in the same VPC as the RDS database, in the same private subnet. — The correct answer is D because Lambda functions can be attached to a VPC to access resources in private subnets. Option A is wrong because a NAT gateway is used for outbound internet access, not for inbound access to RDS. Option B is wrong because VPC peering is used to connect VPCs, not for Lambda access. Option C is wrong because a VPC endpoint for Lambda does not exist; Lambda uses VPC endpoints for other services, but to access RDS you attach the function to the VPC.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SCS-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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