The correct answer is to create a snapshot of the DB instance, copy it with encryption, and restore the encrypted snapshot. This is necessary because RDS does not support enabling encryption at rest on an existing DB instance; encryption must be applied at launch or through a snapshot migration. The technical concept here is that encryption at rest for RDS is a property of the underlying storage volume, which cannot be altered after the instance is provisioned. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the immutable nature of encryption settings and the snapshot-copy-restore workflow as the only viable path. A common trap is assuming you can modify the DB instance directly or attach a KMS key to an unencrypted database, but neither action enables encryption. Memory tip: think "Snapshot, Copy, Restore" — you cannot encrypt a running car, only build a new one from a blueprint.
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. 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 security engineer is tasked with ensuring that all data stored in an RDS DB instance is encrypted at rest. The database is already running and contains data. What should the engineer do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a snapshot of the DB instance, copy it with encryption, and restore the encrypted snapshot
RDS does not support enabling encryption at rest on an existing DB instance. The correct approach is to create a snapshot, copy it with encryption, and restore. Option B is correct. Option A is incorrect because encryption cannot be enabled directly. Option C is incorrect because modifying the DB instance does not add encryption. Option D is incorrect because KMS key modification does not enable 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.
✗
Change the KMS key associated with the DB instance
Why it's wrong here
Changing the KMS key does not enable encryption.
✗
Modify the DB instance to use an encrypted storage type
Why it's wrong here
No such modification exists.
✓
Create a snapshot of the DB instance, copy it with encryption, and restore the encrypted snapshot
Why this is correct
This is the recommended method to enable encryption on an existing DB instance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable encryption at rest in the RDS console for the existing DB instance
Why it's wrong here
Encryption at rest cannot be enabled on an existing DB instance.
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: Create a snapshot of the DB instance, copy it with encryption, and restore the encrypted snapshot — RDS does not support enabling encryption at rest on an existing DB instance. The correct approach is to create a snapshot, copy it with encryption, and restore. Option B is correct. Option A is incorrect because encryption cannot be enabled directly. Option C is incorrect because modifying the DB instance does not add encryption. Option D is incorrect because KMS key modification does not enable 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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Question Discussion
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