- A
Create a CloudWatch Logs subscription filter to redact credit card numbers from the logs after they are sent to CloudWatch
Why wrong: This redacts logs after they are already stored; the data was already exposed in transit.
- B
Enable RDS encryption with a new KMS key and enforce that all connections to RDS use SSL
Why wrong: RDS is already encrypted at rest; enforcing SSL addresses in transit but does not fix logging.
- C
Modify the application to use TLS when connecting to RDS and update the application code to mask or truncate credit card numbers before logging
Addresses both encryption in transit and data leakage via logs.
- D
Enable encryption in transit between the ALB and EC2 by using HTTPS listeners and configure the ALB to re-encrypt traffic to EC2 using a self-signed certificate on each instance
Why wrong: This adds encryption in transit but does not prevent logging of credit card numbers.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to modify the application to use TLS when connecting to RDS and update the application code to mask or truncate credit card numbers before logging. This solution directly addresses both PCI DSS web app data protection requirements: encryption of data in transit between EC2 and RDS via TLS, and the prohibition against storing full primary account numbers (PANs) in logs. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that encryption in transit must cover all hops—from the ALB to EC2 and from EC2 to RDS—and that logging controls are a separate, code-level responsibility. A common trap is assuming that database encryption at rest (like AWS KMS) or log retention policies solve transit or logging issues, but they do not. Remember the two-layer rule: encrypt every network hop and sanitize every log output. A useful memory tip is “TLS the path, mask the math”—meaning encrypt the connection path with TLS and mask the card numbers before they hit the log stream.
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
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 financial services company runs a web application on Amazon EC2 instances behind an Application Load Balancer. The application processes credit card numbers and stores them in an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL database. The database is encrypted at rest using AWS KMS. The security team is concerned about data in transit between the ALB and EC2 instances, and between EC2 and RDS. They also want to ensure that the application never logs the full credit card number. The current setup: ALB terminates SSL using a certificate from AWS Certificate Manager (ACM). EC2 instances are in a private subnet. RDS is in a private subnet. The application logs to CloudWatch Logs. The security team reviews the logs and finds full credit card numbers in the logs. Which of the following actions should the security engineer take to address the data protection issues?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"never"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
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
Modify the application to use TLS when connecting to RDS and update the application code to mask or truncate credit card numbers before logging
Option D is the best because it addresses both encryption in transit (using TLS between EC2 and RDS) and logging (masking credit cards in application code). Option A only adds encryption in transit but does not fix logging. Option B is about retention, not protection. Option C is about encryption at rest, not in transit or logging.
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.
- ✗
Create a CloudWatch Logs subscription filter to redact credit card numbers from the logs after they are sent to CloudWatch
Why it's wrong here
This redacts logs after they are already stored; the data was already exposed in transit.
- ✗
Enable RDS encryption with a new KMS key and enforce that all connections to RDS use SSL
- ✓
Modify the application to use TLS when connecting to RDS and update the application code to mask or truncate credit card numbers before logging
Why this is correct
Addresses both encryption in transit and data leakage via logs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Enable encryption in transit between the ALB and EC2 by using HTTPS listeners and configure the ALB to re-encrypt traffic to EC2 using a self-signed certificate on each instance
Why it's wrong here
This adds encryption in transit but does not prevent logging of credit card numbers.
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.
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.
- →
Data Protection — study guide chapter
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Data Protection practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Modify the application to use TLS when connecting to RDS and update the application code to mask or truncate credit card numbers before logging — Option D is the best because it addresses both encryption in transit (using TLS between EC2 and RDS) and logging (masking credit cards in application code). Option A only adds encryption in transit but does not fix logging. Option B is about retention, not protection. Option C is about encryption at rest, not in transit or logging.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "never". Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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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