Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Secrets Manager because it is the only AWS service that natively supports automatic secret rotation and retrieval for database credentials. Secrets Manager can be configured to rotate secrets on a schedule, replacing hardcoded credentials with dynamically generated ones that the legacy application retrieves via API calls, eliminating the security risk of static passwords. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between secrets management and parameter storage—a common trap is choosing SSM Parameter Store, which lacks built-in rotation capabilities, or confusing KMS (key encryption) or CloudHSM (hardware security modules) with secret lifecycle management. Remember the memory tip: “Secrets rotate, parameters don’t” — if the requirement includes automatic rotation, always pick Secrets Manager over Parameter Store.
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 needs to securely store database credentials for a legacy application running on Amazon EC2. The credentials are currently hardcoded in the application code. Which service should be used to rotate and retrieve secrets automatically?
AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter.
Why wrong: Parameter Store does not automatically rotate secrets.
AWS Key Management Service (KMS).
Why wrong: KMS manages encryption keys, not secrets.
AWS Secrets Manager.
Supports automatic rotation and secure storage.
AWS CloudHSM.
Why wrong: CloudHSM provides hardware security modules for key storage.
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 Secrets Manager.
Option B is correct because AWS Secrets Manager supports automatic rotation of secrets. Option A is wrong because SSM Parameter Store does not natively support automatic rotation. Option C is wrong because KMS is for encryption keys, not secrets management. Option D is wrong because CloudHSM is for hardware security modules.
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
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter.
Why it's wrong here
Parameter Store does not automatically rotate secrets.
AWS Key Management Service (KMS).
Why it's wrong here
KMS manages encryption keys, not secrets.
AWS Secrets Manager.
Why this is correct
Supports automatic rotation and secure storage.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
AWS CloudHSM.
Why it's wrong here
CloudHSM provides hardware security modules for key storage.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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
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 — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: AWS Secrets Manager. — Option B is correct because AWS Secrets Manager supports automatic rotation of secrets. Option A is wrong because SSM Parameter Store does not natively support automatic rotation. Option C is wrong because KMS is for encryption keys, not secrets management. Option D is wrong because CloudHSM is for hardware security modules.
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.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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