The correct answer is that you can enable encryption at rest for Amazon RDS by enabling it when creating the DB instance, encrypting a copy of an unencrypted snapshot, and creating an encrypted read replica from an encrypted source. This works because RDS encryption at rest is a launch-time attribute using AWS KMS, meaning you cannot directly encrypt an existing unencrypted instance; instead, you must snapshot it, copy the snapshot with encryption enabled, and restore from that encrypted snapshot. On the SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the immutable nature of RDS encryption and the workaround via snapshot copy, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly think you can toggle encryption on a running instance. A common memory tip is "launch, copy, or clone" — encryption is set at launch, applied to a snapshot copy, or inherited by a read replica only if the source is already encrypted.
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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 wants to encrypt data at rest for an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance. Which THREE options can be used to achieve this? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Take a snapshot of the unencrypted instance, copy it with encryption, and restore.
RDS encryption at rest is enabled at launch using AWS KMS. You can also encrypt a copy of an unencrypted snapshot. Read replicas can have different encryption if you encrypt the snapshot. However, you cannot enable encryption on an existing unencrypted instance directly; you must take a snapshot, copy it with encryption, and restore. Also, you can enable encryption on a read replica only if the source is encrypted. So three correct: enable encryption at launch, encrypt a snapshot copy, and encrypt a read replica if the source is encrypted? Actually, read replica of an unencrypted instance cannot be encrypted. So options:
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.
✓
Take a snapshot of the unencrypted instance, copy it with encryption, and restore.
Why this is correct
This is a valid method to encrypt an existing database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Modify the DB instance to enable encryption after creation.
Why it's wrong here
You cannot enable encryption on an existing unencrypted instance directly.
✗
Create a read replica with encryption enabled, even if the source is unencrypted.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas must have the same encryption as the source; if source is unencrypted, replica cannot be encrypted.
✓
Enable encryption on an existing read replica of an encrypted source.
Why this is correct
If the source is encrypted, you can create an encrypted read replica.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable encryption when creating the DB instance.
Why this is correct
Encryption can be enabled at launch.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Take a snapshot of the unencrypted instance, copy it with encryption, and restore. — RDS encryption at rest is enabled at launch using AWS KMS. You can also encrypt a copy of an unencrypted snapshot. Read replicas can have different encryption if you encrypt the snapshot. However, you cannot enable encryption on an existing unencrypted instance directly; you must take a snapshot, copy it with encryption, and restore. Also, you can enable encryption on a read replica only if the source is encrypted. So three correct: enable encryption at launch, encrypt a snapshot copy, and encrypt a read replica if the source is encrypted? Actually, read replica of an unencrypted instance cannot be encrypted. So options:
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 wants to encrypt data at rest in an Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance. Which AWS service or feature should be used to achieve this?
easy
✓ A.AWS Key Management Service (KMS)
B.Amazon S3 server-side encryption
C.RDS encryption feature
D.SSL/TLS certificates
Why A: Option A is correct. AWS KMS is used to manage encryption keys for RDS encryption at rest. Option B (SSL/TLS) is for data in transit. Option C (RDS encryption) is a feature but uses KMS. Option D (S3 server-side encryption) is for S3, not RDS.
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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