The correct answer is to enable encryption at rest on the RDS instance and set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group. This combination directly addresses both requirements because encryption at rest protects data stored on disk using AWS KMS-managed keys, while forcing SSL ensures that all data in transit between the client and the database is encrypted using TLS, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding that RDS encryption at rest must be enabled at launch or via a snapshot restore, and that in-transit encryption is a separate configuration managed through DB parameter groups—a common trap is assuming encryption at rest automatically covers in-transit, or that client-side libraries are a native RDS feature. Remember the memory tip: “Rest is KMS, Transit is SSL”—two distinct settings, both required for full compliance.
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 is migrating on-premises databases to Amazon RDS for MySQL. The security team requires that data be encrypted at rest and in transit. Which combination of steps should the team take to meet these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable encryption at rest on the RDS instance and set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group.
Option D is correct because enabling encryption at rest on the RDS instance (which can be done during creation or via snapshot) and requiring SSL for connections (by setting the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1) meets both requirements. Option A is wrong because enabling encryption at rest alone does not cover in-transit. Option B is wrong because using a client-side encryption library is not a standard RDS feature. Option C is wrong because using an RDS proxy with TLS does not enforce SSL for direct connections.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Use an RDS proxy with TLS termination and enable encryption at rest.
Why it's wrong here
The proxy does not enforce SSL on the database connections.
✓
Enable encryption at rest on the RDS instance and set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group.
Why this is correct
This ensures both at-rest and in-transit encryption.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Enable encryption at rest on the RDS instance and use a client-side encryption library.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is not an RDS feature and does not enforce in-transit encryption.
✗
Enable encryption at rest and configure the security group to allow only HTTPS traffic.
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable encryption at rest on the RDS instance and set the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1 in the DB parameter group. — Option D is correct because enabling encryption at rest on the RDS instance (which can be done during creation or via snapshot) and requiring SSL for connections (by setting the rds.force_ssl parameter to 1) meets both requirements. Option A is wrong because enabling encryption at rest alone does not cover in-transit. Option B is wrong because using a client-side encryption library is not a standard RDS feature. Option C is wrong because using an RDS proxy with TLS does not enforce SSL for direct connections.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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