The answer is that the DB instance was created without enabling encryption at rest. This is correct because automated backups in Amazon RDS inherit the encryption configuration directly from the source DB instance; if the instance itself is unencrypted, all its automated backups will also be unencrypted, regardless of any KMS key permissions or S3 storage settings. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding that encryption for RDS backups is not a separate toggle—it is a property inherited from the instance, making it a common trap to assume you can enable backup encryption independently. A key memory tip is "backups mirror the instance: no instance encryption, no backup encryption."
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 financial services company stores sensitive customer data in Amazon RDS for MySQL. The compliance team mandates that all database backups must be encrypted at rest. The current configuration uses a customer managed KMS key for encryption. However, during a recent audit, it was discovered that some automated backups are not encrypted. What is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The DB instance was created without enabling encryption at rest.
Option B is correct because automated backups inherit the encryption setting from the DB instance; if the DB instance is not encrypted, automated backups will not be encrypted. Option A is wrong because automated backups are stored in S3 but still encrypted with the same KMS key if the DB instance is encrypted. Option C is wrong because RDS automatically manages backup encryption; there is no separate backup encryption toggle. Option D is wrong because the DB instance would fail to encrypt if the key is disabled.
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.
✗
The KMS key used for encryption was disabled during the backup window.
Why it's wrong here
If key was disabled, the DB instance would not have been encrypted.
✗
The automated backups are stored in an unencrypted S3 bucket.
Why it's wrong here
RDS manages backup storage; encryption is inherited from DB instance.
✗
The automated backup encryption setting was turned off separately.
Why it's wrong here
There is no separate setting for backup encryption.
✓
The DB instance was created without enabling encryption at rest.
Why this is correct
If the DB instance is not encrypted, automated backups are not encrypted.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
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 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 — 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: The DB instance was created without enabling encryption at rest. — Option B is correct because automated backups inherit the encryption setting from the DB instance; if the DB instance is not encrypted, automated backups will not be encrypted. Option A is wrong because automated backups are stored in S3 but still encrypted with the same KMS key if the DB instance is encrypted. Option C is wrong because RDS automatically manages backup encryption; there is no separate backup encryption toggle. Option D is wrong because the DB instance would fail to encrypt if the key is disabled.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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