- A
Use AWS CloudHSM directly to generate and manage the encryption keys, and configure Redshift to use those keys via the CloudHSM client.
Why wrong: Redshift does not support direct integration with CloudHSM; it only supports KMS.
- B
Create a custom key store in AWS KMS backed by an AWS CloudHSM cluster, and use a KMS key in that custom key store to encrypt the Redshift cluster.
This allows the company to control the HSM and store key material in it, while Redshift uses KMS for encryption.
- C
Switch to using Amazon S3 server-side encryption with customer-provided keys (SSE-C) and use Redshift Spectrum to query the data.
Why wrong: SSE-C is for S3, not Redshift. Redshift Spectrum can query S3, but the primary data warehouse would not be encrypted with the company's HSM.
- D
Generate the key material on-premises and import it into KMS as a customer-managed key, then use that key for Redshift encryption.
Why wrong: Imported key material is stored in KMS, not in the company's HSM. The company does not have control over the HSM.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create a custom key store in AWS KMS backed by an AWS CloudHSM cluster, then use a KMS key from that store to encrypt the Redshift cluster. This satisfies the auditor’s demand because a custom key store lets you control the underlying HSM hardware, keeping key material exclusively in your own CloudHSM cluster while still leveraging KMS for integration with Redshift. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that Redshift cannot directly use CloudHSM—it must go through KMS, and a custom key store bridges that gap. A common trap is choosing direct CloudHSM integration or importing key material, but those either lack Redshift support or still leave key material in KMS. Remember: for Redshift encryption with your own HSM, think “KMS custom key store + CloudHSM” as the only path. Memory tip: “Custom store, HSM floor—Redshift keys, yours to secure.”
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. 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 migrating its on-premises data warehouse to AWS. The data includes highly sensitive customer financial information. The company has the following requirements: 1) All data must be encrypted at rest using a key that is managed by the company's internal security team. 2) The encryption keys must be rotated every 90 days. 3) The data warehouse must support SQL queries and be highly available across multiple Availability Zones. 4) The solution must minimize the administrative overhead of managing keys. The security team has chosen Amazon Redshift as the data warehouse. They have enabled encryption using AWS KMS with a customer-managed key (CMK). They have set the key rotation period to 90 days using automatic key rotation. However, during a security review, an auditor points out that the key material is still stored in AWS KMS, and the company wants the key material to be stored in a hardware security module (HSM) that they control. Which of the following is the BEST course of action to meet the auditor's requirement while maintaining the other requirements?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Create a custom key store in AWS KMS backed by an AWS CloudHSM cluster, and use a KMS key in that custom key store to encrypt the Redshift cluster.
Option C is correct because using a custom key store backed by AWS CloudHSM allows the company to store key material in their own HSM, and automatic key rotation can still be used (though manual rotation may be needed depending on the HSM). Redshift supports encryption with KMS, including custom key stores. Option A is wrong because SSE-C is for S3, not Redshift. Option B is wrong because Redshift does not support CloudHSM directly; it requires KMS custom key store. Option D is wrong because importing key material does not allow the company to control the HSM; the key material is still stored in KMS.
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 AWS CloudHSM directly to generate and manage the encryption keys, and configure Redshift to use those keys via the CloudHSM client.
Why it's wrong here
Redshift does not support direct integration with CloudHSM; it only supports KMS.
- ✓
Create a custom key store in AWS KMS backed by an AWS CloudHSM cluster, and use a KMS key in that custom key store to encrypt the Redshift cluster.
Why this is correct
This allows the company to control the HSM and store key material in it, while Redshift uses KMS for encryption.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Switch to using Amazon S3 server-side encryption with customer-provided keys (SSE-C) and use Redshift Spectrum to query the data.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-C is for S3, not Redshift. Redshift Spectrum can query S3, but the primary data warehouse would not be encrypted with the company's HSM.
- ✗
Generate the key material on-premises and import it into KMS as a customer-managed key, then use that key for Redshift encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Imported key material is stored in KMS, not in the company's HSM. The company does not have control over the HSM.
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 SCS-C02 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.
- →
Data Protection — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Data Protection practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SCS-C02 questions
1,738 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SCS-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SCS-C02 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Threat Detection and Incident Response practice questions
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Threat Detection and Incident Response.
Security Logging and Monitoring practice questions
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Security Logging and Monitoring.
Identity and Access Management practice questions
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Identity and Access Management.
Management and Security Governance practice questions
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Management and Security Governance.
Infrastructure Security practice questions
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Infrastructure Security.
Data Protection practice questions
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to Data Protection.
SCS-C02 fundamentals practice questions
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 fundamentals.
SCS-C02 scenario practice questions
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 scenario.
SCS-C02 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SCS-C02 questions linked to SCS-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SCS-C02 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a custom key store in AWS KMS backed by an AWS CloudHSM cluster, and use a KMS key in that custom key store to encrypt the Redshift cluster. — Option C is correct because using a custom key store backed by AWS CloudHSM allows the company to store key material in their own HSM, and automatic key rotation can still be used (though manual rotation may be needed depending on the HSM). Redshift supports encryption with KMS, including custom key stores. Option A is wrong because SSE-C is for S3, not Redshift. Option B is wrong because Redshift does not support CloudHSM directly; it requires KMS custom key store. Option D is wrong because importing key material does not allow the company to control the HSM; the key material is still stored in KMS.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SCS-C02 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "minimum / minimize". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SCS-C02 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 SCS-C02 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.