The correct answer is to enable SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the EC2 instances to connect using SSL. This is necessary because encrypting data in transit between EC2 and RDS requires a transport layer security protocol that protects the data as it moves across the network, and SSL/TLS is the standard mechanism for establishing an encrypted connection between a client and a database server. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding that network-level controls like security groups cannot enforce encryption, and that encryption at rest (RDS storage encryption) is a separate concern from transit encryption. A common trap is confusing encryption at rest with in-transit encryption, or assuming that being in the same VPC automatically secures the data path. Remember the memory tip: "SSL for the street, encryption at rest for the garage"—transit encryption protects data while it's moving between services, not while it's stored.
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 wants to ensure that all data in transit between its EC2 instances and an RDS database is encrypted. The instances and the database are in the same VPC. Which configuration step is necessary 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
✓
Enable SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the EC2 instances to connect using SSL.
Option A is correct. To encrypt data in transit, you must enable SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the client (EC2) to use SSL when connecting. Option B (enforcing encryption on the security group) is not a valid concept. Option C (using VPN) is unnecessary for intra-VPC traffic. Option D (enabling encryption at rest) does not cover transit 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.
✗
Enable encryption at rest for the RDS instance using AWS KMS.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest does not protect data in transit.
✗
Set up a VPN connection between the EC2 instances and the RDS database.
Why it's wrong here
VPN is for on-premises to VPC, not needed for intra-VPC.
✗
Configure the security group for the RDS instance to enforce encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups do not enforce encryption; they filter traffic.
✓
Enable SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the EC2 instances to connect using SSL.
Why this is correct
SSL/TLS encrypts data in transit between client and database.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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: Enable SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the EC2 instances to connect using SSL. — Option A is correct. To encrypt data in transit, you must enable SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the client (EC2) to use SSL when connecting. Option B (enforcing encryption on the security group) is not a valid concept. Option C (using VPN) is unnecessary for intra-VPC traffic. Option D (enabling encryption at rest) does not cover transit 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.
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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.
Question Discussion
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