The answer is to use strong passwords and rotate them regularly, enable encryption at rest, and place the database in a private subnet. These three practices form the foundation of RDS security best practices because they address data confidentiality, access control, and network isolation. Encryption at rest protects stored data from physical theft or unauthorized disk access, while a private subnet ensures the database is not reachable from the internet, and strong password policies prevent credential-based attacks. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between core security controls and less critical configurations; a common trap is selecting “make the database publicly accessible” or “change the default port,” which are secondary measures at best. Remember that AWS emphasizes defense in depth: encrypt, isolate, and authenticate. A useful memory tip is the acronym “PIE” — Private subnet, encryption, and strong passwords — to recall the three essential layers for securing an RDS instance.
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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.
Which THREE of the following are best practices for securing an Amazon RDS database instance? (Select THREE.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 using AWS KMS
Options A, B, and E are correct because encryption at rest, private subnet, and strong passwords are security best practices. Option C is wrong because public accessibility should be disabled. Option D is wrong because default ports should be changed or firewalled, but this is not a primary best practice compared to the others.
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.
✓
Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS
Why this is correct
Encryption at rest protects data if storage is compromised.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Enable public accessibility for ease of management
Why it's wrong here
Public accessibility increases attack surface.
✗
Use the default database port
Why it's wrong here
Default ports are often targeted; changing them adds security.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable encryption at rest using AWS KMS — Options A, B, and E are correct because encryption at rest, private subnet, and strong passwords are security best practices. Option C is wrong because public accessibility should be disabled. Option D is wrong because default ports should be changed or firewalled, but this is not a primary best practice compared to the others.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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.
Question Discussion
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