- A
The RDS instances will become inaccessible and data will be lost
Without the key, the encrypted data cannot be decrypted.
- B
The key deletion can be reversed within 30 days
Why wrong: Key deletion has a waiting period but once deleted, it's permanent.
- C
The RDS instances will be automatically re-encrypted with a new key
Why wrong: No automatic re-encryption occurs.
- D
The RDS instances will continue to operate normally
Why wrong: Deleting the key makes data inaccessible.
Question 540 of 1,748
SCS-C02 AWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK) 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. A key principle to apply: aWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK). 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 KMS to encrypt data in Amazon RDS. The security team discovers that a developer accidentally deleted a customer master key (CMK) used for RDS encryption. What is the impact on the RDS instances that were encrypted with that key?
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
✓
The RDS instances will become inaccessible and data will be lost
Option A is correct because when a Customer Master Key (CMK) is deleted in AWS KMS, the encrypted RDS instances become permanently inaccessible and the data is lost. AWS KMS enforces a waiting period (default 7-30 days) before deletion, but once the key is deleted, decryption is impossible. Option B is incorrect because although key deletion is reversible during the waiting period, after deletion the data is lost. Option C is incorrect because automatic re-encryption is not possible without the original key. Option D is incorrect because the instances cannot operate normally without access to the encryption key.
Key principle: AWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK)
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The RDS instances will become inaccessible and data will be lost
Why this is correct
Without the key, the encrypted data cannot be decrypted.
Related concept
AWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK)
- ✗
The key deletion can be reversed within 30 days
Why it's wrong here
Key deletion has a waiting period but once deleted, it's permanent.
- ✗
The RDS instances will be automatically re-encrypted with a new key
Why it's wrong here
No automatic re-encryption occurs.
- ✗
The RDS instances will continue to operate normally
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the key makes data inaccessible.
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
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
- AWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK)
- Key Deletion in KMS
- RDS Encryption at Rest
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
AWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK)
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review aWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK), then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Data Protection — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — AWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK).
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The RDS instances will become inaccessible and data will be lost — Option A is correct because when a Customer Master Key (CMK) is deleted in AWS KMS, the encrypted RDS instances become permanently inaccessible and the data is lost. AWS KMS enforces a waiting period (default 7-30 days) before deletion, but once the key is deleted, decryption is impossible. Option B is incorrect because although key deletion is reversible during the waiting period, after deletion the data is lost. Option C is incorrect because automatic re-encryption is not possible without the original key. Option D is incorrect because the instances cannot operate normally without access to the encryption key.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review aWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK), then practise related SCS-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
AWS KMS Customer Master Key (CMK)
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SCS-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SCS-C02 exam.
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