Quick Answer
The answer is an AWS managed key. This is correct because AWS managed keys, such as the default `aws/rds` key used for Amazon RDS encryption, are automatically rotated by AWS every year with no action required from the customer, directly matching the requirement for annual key material rotation. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the key types in KMS and their default rotation policies; a common trap is selecting a customer managed key, which also supports automatic rotation but defaults to a yearly schedule only if you explicitly configure it, whereas AWS managed keys rotate annually by default. Remember the memory tip: "AWS managed keys are managed by AWS, so they rotate on AWS's default annual schedule without you lifting a finger."
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. 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 uses AWS KMS to encrypt data in Amazon RDS. They need to ensure that the key material is automatically rotated every year. Which key type should they use?
Custom key store
Why wrong: CloudHSM custom key store does not automatically rotate keys.
Customer managed key
Why wrong: Customer managed keys do not automatically rotate; you must enable rotation.
AWS owned key
Why wrong: AWS owned keys are used by AWS services internally, not for customer RDS.
AWS managed key
AWS managed keys for RDS rotate automatically annually.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS managed key
AWS managed keys (D) are automatically rotated every year by AWS without any action required from the customer. For Amazon RDS encryption using AWS KMS, the default key (aws/rds) is an AWS managed key that supports automatic annual rotation, meeting the requirement exactly. Customer managed keys (B) also support automatic rotation, but the question specifies 'every year' and AWS managed keys are the simplest choice that satisfies this, as they are automatically rotated annually by default.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Custom key store
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM custom key store does not automatically rotate keys.
Customer managed key
Why it's wrong here
Customer managed keys do not automatically rotate; you must enable rotation.
AWS owned key
Why it's wrong here
AWS owned keys are used by AWS services internally, not for customer RDS.
AWS managed key
Why this is correct
AWS managed keys for RDS rotate automatically annually.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'AWS managed key' with 'customer managed key' because both can be rotated, but the question tests whether you know that AWS managed keys are the default, automatically rotated keys used by services like RDS, and that customer managed keys require manual configuration for rotation.
Detailed technical explanation
AWS KMS supports automatic key rotation only for symmetric encryption KMS keys. For AWS managed keys (e.g., aws/rds), rotation occurs automatically every year (approximately 365 days) with no additional cost, and the old key material is retained for decryption of previously encrypted data. In contrast, customer managed keys require enabling rotation explicitly and incur a cost for each rotation, but they offer more control over key policies and aliases.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS managed key — AWS managed keys (D) are automatically rotated every year by AWS without any action required from the customer. For Amazon RDS encryption using AWS KMS, the default key (aws/rds) is an AWS managed key that supports automatic annual rotation, meeting the requirement exactly. Customer managed keys (B) also support automatic rotation, but the question specifies 'every year' and AWS managed keys are the simplest choice that satisfies this, as they are automatically rotated annually by default.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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