- A
Use AWS CloudHSM to store the encryption keys and enable RDS encryption with CloudHSM.
CloudHSM provides a dedicated HSM that you control, and RDS can be encrypted using keys from CloudHSM.
- B
Use AWS KMS with a customer master key (CMK) and import key material from the on-premises HSM.
Why wrong: KMS does not allow direct use of an external HSM for key management; imported key material is still inside KMS.
- C
Store the encryption keys in AWS Secrets Manager and use them to encrypt the database.
Why wrong: Secrets Manager is not designed for database encryption at rest; it's for application secrets.
- D
Use AWS KMS with a custom key store backed by AWS CloudHSM.
Why wrong: This uses CloudHSM but the key management is still through KMS, and you don't directly control the HSM.
Quick Answer
The correct solution is to use AWS CloudHSM to store the encryption keys and enable RDS encryption with CloudHSM. This works because CloudHSM provides a dedicated, single-tenant hardware security module that you control, allowing you to manage keys in a manner equivalent to an on-premises HSM while keeping them within AWS. When you enable RDS encryption with CloudHSM, the database master key is generated and stored inside your CloudHSM cluster, and you can schedule key rotation every six months to meet compliance mandates. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the distinction between AWS managed keys (KMS) and customer-controlled HSMs; a common trap is choosing KMS with a custom key store, but that still delegates key management to AWS rather than your own HSM. Remember the key differentiator: CloudHSM gives you sole control over the HSM appliance, while KMS is a shared service. Memory tip: “CloudHSM = Your HSM, your keys, your rotation.”
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 startup is building a web application on AWS and needs to protect sensitive customer data at rest in an Amazon RDS for MySQL database. The compliance team requires that the encryption keys be managed by the company's on-premises hardware security module (HSM) and be rotated every 6 months. Which solution should the startup use?
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
Use AWS CloudHSM to store the encryption keys and enable RDS encryption with CloudHSM.
AWS CloudHSM provides a dedicated hardware security module (HSM) that allows you to manage encryption keys on-premises-style, meeting the requirement for key management on the company's own HSM. When you enable Amazon RDS for MySQL encryption with CloudHSM, the database encryption keys are stored and managed in the CloudHSM cluster, and you can rotate them every 6 months as required. This solution directly satisfies the compliance team's mandate for on-premises HSM key management and periodic rotation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 AWS CloudHSM to store the encryption keys and enable RDS encryption with CloudHSM.
Why this is correct
CloudHSM provides a dedicated HSM that you control, and RDS can be encrypted using keys from CloudHSM.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS KMS with a customer master key (CMK) and import key material from the on-premises HSM.
Why it's wrong here
KMS does not allow direct use of an external HSM for key management; imported key material is still inside KMS.
- ✗
Store the encryption keys in AWS Secrets Manager and use them to encrypt the database.
Why it's wrong here
Secrets Manager is not designed for database encryption at rest; it's for application secrets.
- ✗
Use AWS KMS with a custom key store backed by AWS CloudHSM.
Why it's wrong here
This uses CloudHSM but the key management is still through KMS, and you don't directly control the HSM.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse AWS CloudHSM (a dedicated HSM service where you manage keys directly) with AWS KMS custom key stores (which also use CloudHSM but are managed through KMS), leading them to choose option D, which does not allow the company to manage keys on their own on-premises HSM.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Amazon RDS encryption with CloudHSM uses the MySQL Enterprise Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) feature, where the CloudHSM cluster acts as the key store for the master encryption key. The RDS instance communicates with the CloudHSM via a network connection, and key rotation is performed by generating a new master key in the HSM and re-encrypting the database. This approach ensures that the encryption keys never leave the HSM, meeting strict compliance requirements for key sovereignty.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS CloudHSM to store the encryption keys and enable RDS encryption with CloudHSM. — AWS CloudHSM provides a dedicated hardware security module (HSM) that allows you to manage encryption keys on-premises-style, meeting the requirement for key management on the company's own HSM. When you enable Amazon RDS for MySQL encryption with CloudHSM, the database encryption keys are stored and managed in the CloudHSM cluster, and you can rotate them every 6 months as required. This solution directly satisfies the compliance team's mandate for on-premises HSM key management and periodic rotation.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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