- A
Attach a new KMS key policy to the RDS instance.
Why wrong: Key policy does not encrypt the instance.
- B
Create a snapshot of the unencrypted instance, copy the snapshot with encryption enabled, and restore the encrypted snapshot to a new DB instance.
This is the standard procedure to migrate to encrypted RDS.
- C
Enable encryption on the DB subnet group and reboot the instance.
Why wrong: Encryption is not configured at subnet group level.
- D
Modify the RDS instance to enable encryption using the AWS Console.
Why wrong: RDS does not allow enabling encryption on existing instances.
Question 1,461 of 1,748
SCS-C02 Management and Security Governance Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of management and security governance. 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.
A company's security team needs to enforce encryption at rest for all RDS instances in the production account. They have enabled mandatory encryption using a service control policy. What else must be done to ensure existing unencrypted RDS instances are encrypted?
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
✓
Create a snapshot of the unencrypted instance, copy the snapshot with encryption enabled, and restore the encrypted snapshot to a new DB instance.
Option B is correct because RDS does not support directly enabling encryption on an existing unencrypted instance. The only way to encrypt an existing unencrypted RDS instance is to take a snapshot of it, copy the snapshot with encryption enabled, and restore the encrypted snapshot to a new DB instance. Options A, C, and D are incorrect: A: Attaching a new KMS key policy to the RDS instance does not encrypt the instance; encryption is applied at snapshot creation. C: Enabling encryption on the DB subnet group does not affect existing instances; it only applies to new instances. D: Modifying the RDS instance via the console does not allow enabling encryption on an existing instance; encryption can only be enabled at creation or via snapshot copy.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Attach a new KMS key policy to the RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
Key policy does not encrypt the instance.
- ✓
Create a snapshot of the unencrypted instance, copy the snapshot with encryption enabled, and restore the encrypted snapshot to a new DB instance.
Why this is correct
This is the standard procedure to migrate to encrypted RDS.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Enable encryption on the DB subnet group and reboot the instance.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is not configured at subnet group level.
- ✗
Modify the RDS instance to enable encryption using the AWS Console.
Why it's wrong here
RDS does not allow enabling encryption on existing instances.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SCS-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Management and Security Governance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Management and Security Governance — This question tests Management and Security Governance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a snapshot of the unencrypted instance, copy the snapshot with encryption enabled, and restore the encrypted snapshot to a new DB instance. — Option B is correct because RDS does not support directly enabling encryption on an existing unencrypted instance. The only way to encrypt an existing unencrypted RDS instance is to take a snapshot of it, copy the snapshot with encryption enabled, and restore the encrypted snapshot to a new DB instance. Options A, C, and D are incorrect: A: Attaching a new KMS key policy to the RDS instance does not encrypt the instance; encryption is applied at snapshot creation. C: Enabling encryption on the DB subnet group does not affect existing instances; it only applies to new instances. D: Modifying the RDS instance via the console does not allow enabling encryption on an existing instance; encryption can only be enabled at creation or via snapshot copy.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SCS-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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