The correct answer is to create a backup of the source CloudHSM cluster and copy the backup to the destination Region. This works because CloudHSM natively supports copying encrypted backups across AWS Regions using the AWS CLI or console, ensuring the keys remain within the HSM’s security boundary without ever being exported as plaintext. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that CloudHSM backups are cluster-specific and must be copied—not exported or manually transferred—for cross-region recovery. A common trap is assuming you can export keys directly or use SCP, but AWS enforces that backups are the only supported mechanism for moving keys between Regions. Remember the mnemonic: “Backup, copy, restore—never export or ignore.” This aligns with the search intent for CloudHSM backup cross-region recovery, emphasizing that the most secure and efficient path is leveraging AWS’s built-in backup copy feature.
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 uses AWS CloudHSM to generate and store encryption keys for a custom database. The security team needs to back up the keys to another AWS Region for disaster recovery. What is the most secure and efficient way to achieve this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a backup of the source CloudHSM cluster and copy the backup to the destination Region.
Option C is correct because CloudHSM supports copying backups across regions using the AWS CLI or console, which is secure and efficient. Option A is incorrect because exporting keys directly is not supported; backups are used. Option B is incorrect because manual copy (e.g., scp) is not supported. Option D is incorrect because cross-region replication does not apply to CloudHSM backups.
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.
✓
Create a backup of the source CloudHSM cluster and copy the backup to the destination Region.
Why this is correct
CloudHSM backups can be copied across regions for disaster recovery.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Export the keys from the source CloudHSM cluster and import them into a destination cluster in the other Region.
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM does not allow direct key export; use backups.
✗
Enable cross-Region replication on the CloudHSM cluster.
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM does not support cross-Region replication of clusters.
✗
Use the key_mgmt_util command-line tool to copy the keys to an on-premises HSM, then upload to the destination Region.
Why it's wrong here
Not a supported method; introduces security risk.
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: Create a backup of the source CloudHSM cluster and copy the backup to the destination Region. — Option C is correct because CloudHSM supports copying backups across regions using the AWS CLI or console, which is secure and efficient. Option A is incorrect because exporting keys directly is not supported; backups are used. Option B is incorrect because manual copy (e.g., scp) is not supported. Option D is incorrect because cross-region replication does not apply to CloudHSM backups.
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.
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 AWS CloudHSM to generate and store encryption keys for a custom application. The security team is concerned about key durability and wants to ensure that keys are not lost if the HSM fails. Which action should be taken?
hard
A.Create a multi-region CloudHSM cluster
B.Store the keys in a file on an encrypted EBS volume
C.Use AWS KMS to import the keys from CloudHSM
✓ D.Regularly back up the HSM to an Amazon S3 bucket and restore to a new cluster if needed
Why D: Option B is correct because CloudHSM supports backup and restore between clusters. Option A is wrong because CloudHSM is single-region. Option C is wrong because keys are stored in the HSM. Option D is wrong because KMS does not import keys from CloudHSM automatically.
Variation 2. A company uses AWS CloudHSM to store encryption keys. The security team wants to ensure that keys stored in CloudHSM are backed up and can be restored in another AWS Region. What is the BEST approach?
medium
A.Enable automatic cross-region replication on the CloudHSM cluster
B.Copy the HSM user credentials and use them in the new region
C.Use AWS Backup to back up the CloudHSM cluster and restore in another region
✓ D.Export the security domain from the source cluster and import it into a new cluster in the target region
Why D: Option C is correct because CloudHSM allows you to export the cluster’s security domain and then use it to restore the cluster in another region. Option A is wrong because CloudHSM does not automatically replicate across regions. Option B is wrong because copying HSM credentials is insufficient to restore keys. Option D is wrong because there is no direct integration with S3 for backup.
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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