- A
Enable encryption at rest for the RDS instance using AWS KMS.
Why wrong: Encryption at rest does not protect data in transit.
- B
Set up a VPN connection between the EC2 instances and the RDS database.
Why wrong: VPN is for on-premises to VPC, not needed for intra-VPC.
- C
Configure the security group for the RDS instance to enforce encryption.
Why wrong: Security groups do not enforce encryption; they filter traffic.
- D
Enable SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the EC2 instances to connect using SSL.
SSL/TLS encrypts data in transit between client and database.
Question 1,491 of 1,748
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 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 SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the EC2 instances to connect using SSL.
To encrypt data in transit between EC2 instances and an RDS database within the same VPC, you must enable SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the EC2 instances to connect using SSL. This ensures that the network traffic is encrypted at the transport layer, protecting against eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks. AWS RDS supports SSL/TLS for most database engines, and the client must explicitly request an encrypted connection.
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
The trap here is that candidates often confuse encryption at rest (Option A) with encryption in transit, or assume that security groups (Option C) can enforce encryption, when in fact they only filter traffic at the network layer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When SSL/TLS is enabled on RDS, the database server presents a certificate (either AWS-provided or custom) that the client must validate. The EC2 instance must download the appropriate root certificate bundle and specify SSL parameters in the database connection string (e.g., `--ssl-ca` for MySQL or `sslmode=require` for PostgreSQL). Without client-side configuration, the connection defaults to unencrypted even if the server supports SSL, making both server and client configuration mandatory for true encryption in transit.
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 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.
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
What to study next
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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 SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the EC2 instances to connect using SSL. — To encrypt data in transit between EC2 instances and an RDS database within the same VPC, you must enable SSL/TLS on the RDS instance and configure the EC2 instances to connect using SSL. This ensures that the network traffic is encrypted at the transport layer, protecting against eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks. AWS RDS supports SSL/TLS for most database engines, and the client must explicitly request an encrypted connection.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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