- A
Create a multi-region CloudHSM cluster
Why wrong: CloudHSM does not support multi-region clusters.
- B
Store the keys in a file on an encrypted EBS volume
Why wrong: This defeats the purpose of HSM.
- C
Use AWS KMS to import the keys from CloudHSM
Why wrong: KMS cannot import keys from CloudHSM directly.
- D
Regularly back up the HSM to an Amazon S3 bucket and restore to a new cluster if needed
CloudHSM allows backup to S3 and restoration.
Question 1,107 of 1,748
CloudHSM Key Durability: Backup to Amazon S3
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. A key principle to apply: cloudHSM Backup. 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 uses AWS CloudHSM to generate and store encryption keys for a custom application. The security team is concerned about key durability and wants to ensure that keys are not lost if the HSM fails. Which action should be taken?
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
✓
Regularly back up the HSM to an Amazon S3 bucket and restore to a new cluster if needed
Option D is correct because AWS CloudHSM supports taking backups of the HSM content to an Amazon S3 bucket. These backups can be used to restore to a new HSM cluster in case of failure, ensuring key durability. Option A is incorrect because CloudHSM clusters are single-region; multi-region clusters are not supported. Option B is incorrect because storing keys on an encrypted EBS volume bypasses the security of the HSM and is not a recommended practice for key durability. Option C is incorrect because AWS KMS cannot directly import keys from CloudHSM; KMS and CloudHSM are separate services with different key management capabilities.
Key principle: CloudHSM Backup
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a multi-region CloudHSM cluster
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM does not support multi-region clusters.
- ✗
Store the keys in a file on an encrypted EBS volume
Why it's wrong here
This defeats the purpose of HSM.
- ✗
Use AWS KMS to import the keys from CloudHSM
Why it's wrong here
KMS cannot import keys from CloudHSM directly.
- ✓
Regularly back up the HSM to an Amazon S3 bucket and restore to a new cluster if needed
Why this is correct
CloudHSM allows backup to S3 and restoration.
Related concept
CloudHSM Backup
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may mistakenly believe that exporting keys to an EBS volume or using KMS provides adequate durability, but CloudHSM's native backup and restore mechanism is the correct method to protect against HSM failure.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CloudHSM Backup
- Key Durability
- HSM Failover
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
CloudHSM Backup
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
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cloudHSM Backup, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — CloudHSM Backup.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Regularly back up the HSM to an Amazon S3 bucket and restore to a new cluster if needed — Option D is correct because AWS CloudHSM supports taking backups of the HSM content to an Amazon S3 bucket. These backups can be used to restore to a new HSM cluster in case of failure, ensuring key durability. Option A is incorrect because CloudHSM clusters are single-region; multi-region clusters are not supported. Option B is incorrect because storing keys on an encrypted EBS volume bypasses the security of the HSM and is not a recommended practice for key durability. Option C is incorrect because AWS KMS cannot directly import keys from CloudHSM; KMS and CloudHSM are separate services with different key management capabilities.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review cloudHSM Backup, then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CloudHSM Backup
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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