- A
Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS
Encryption at rest protects data if storage is compromised.
- B
Place the RDS instance in a private subnet
Private subnets prevent direct internet access.
- C
Use strong passwords and rotate them regularly
Strong passwords reduce brute force risk.
- D
Enable public accessibility for ease of management
Why wrong: Public accessibility increases attack surface.
- E
Use the default database port
Why wrong: Default ports are often targeted; changing them adds security.
Question 165 of 1,748
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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.
Which THREE of the following are best practices for securing an Amazon RDS database instance? (Select THREE.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS
Enabling encryption at rest using AWS KMS ensures that the underlying storage for the RDS instance, automated backups, read replicas, and snapshots are encrypted using AES-256. This protects data at rest from unauthorized physical access or storage media theft, and is a fundamental security best practice for compliance frameworks like PCI DSS and HIPAA.
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 using AWS KMS
Why this is correct
Encryption at rest protects data if storage is compromised.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Place the RDS instance in a private subnet
Why this is correct
Private subnets prevent direct internet access.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use strong passwords and rotate them regularly
Why this is correct
Strong passwords reduce brute force risk.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable public accessibility for ease of management
Why it's wrong here
Public accessibility increases attack surface.
- ✗
Use the default database port
Why it's wrong here
Default ports are often targeted; changing them adds security.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'public accessibility' with necessary management access, but AWS explicitly recommends placing RDS in a private subnet and using a bastion host or AWS Systems Manager Session Manager for secure administrative access, not a public IP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RDS encryption at rest uses AWS KMS to generate a unique data key for each volume, which is then encrypted by a customer master key (CMK). The encrypted data key is stored with the volume, and decryption occurs transparently at the hypervisor layer when the instance reads or writes data. This means even if an attacker gains access to the underlying storage, they cannot read the data without the KMS key, and enabling encryption cannot be undone after creation without a manual snapshot restore.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
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 encryption at rest using AWS KMS — Enabling encryption at rest using AWS KMS ensures that the underlying storage for the RDS instance, automated backups, read replicas, and snapshots are encrypted using AES-256. This protects data at rest from unauthorized physical access or storage media theft, and is a fundamental security best practice for compliance frameworks like PCI DSS and HIPAA.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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