The answer is that no additional configuration is required because RDS backup encryption inheritance is automatic. When you enable encryption at rest on an RDS MySQL instance using AWS KMS, all automated backups, transaction logs, and manual snapshots are encrypted using the same KMS key by default—no extra steps or settings are needed. This tests your understanding of the fundamental RDS encryption cascade: the encryption state of the source database is inherited by all its backups and replicas. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept often appears as a trick question where candidates mistakenly think they must separately enable backup encryption or specify a different key. The common trap is assuming that encryption must be explicitly applied to backups, but AWS handles this transparently. Memory tip: "Encrypt once, inherit all"—if the source is encrypted, every backup and snapshot is automatically covered.
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. 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 uses Amazon RDS for MySQL with encryption at rest enabled using AWS KMS. They need to ensure that automated backups and snapshots are also encrypted. Which configuration is required?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
No additional configuration is needed; backups are encrypted automatically.
Option C is correct because RDS automatically encrypts snapshots and backups when the source database is encrypted. No additional steps are needed. Option A is wrong because encryption is already inherited. Option B is wrong because the same KMS key is used by default. Option D is wrong because enabling encryption on a non-encrypted instance requires a snapshot copy with 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.
✓
No additional configuration is needed; backups are encrypted automatically.
Why this is correct
Encrypted RDS instances automatically encrypt backups and snapshots.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Manually encrypt each snapshot with a separate KMS key.
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots inherit encryption from the source database automatically.
✗
Create a new KMS key and assign it to the backup configuration.
Why it's wrong here
The same KMS key used for the instance is used for backups.
✗
Enable encryption on the RDS instance after creation.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption cannot be enabled on a running instance; it must be done at creation or via snapshot copy.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
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 — 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: No additional configuration is needed; backups are encrypted automatically. — Option C is correct because RDS automatically encrypts snapshots and backups when the source database is encrypted. No additional steps are needed. Option A is wrong because encryption is already inherited. Option B is wrong because the same KMS key is used by default. Option D is wrong because enabling encryption on a non-encrypted instance requires a snapshot copy with encryption.
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.
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. A company uses Amazon RDS for MySQL with encryption at rest enabled. The security team needs to ensure that automated backups are also encrypted. How can this be achieved?
medium
A.Manually encrypt each backup using AWS KMS before storing in S3
✓ B.Enable encryption at rest on the RDS instance; backups are automatically encrypted
C.Use RDS Copy-on-Write to encrypt backups
D.Create an encrypted S3 bucket and store backups there
Why B: Option C is correct because enabling encryption at rest on the RDS instance automatically encrypts backups. Option A is wrong because manual encryption of backups is not required. Option B is wrong because you cannot encrypt backups separately from the instance. Option D is wrong because RDS does not support that feature.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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.
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