- A
Use two AWS Config managed rules: 'rds-instance-encrypted' and 'rds-backup-enabled'. Configure each rule with an automatic remediation action that triggers an Amazon CloudWatch alarm, which then invokes an AWS Lambda function to enable encryption and backups.
Why wrong: While this could work, it is not the most efficient. CloudWatch alarms are not designed to be triggered directly by Config rule compliance changes. The native remediation integration in AWS Config uses Systems Manager Automation runbooks, which are simpler and do not require custom Lambda code.
- B
Create custom AWS Config rules as AWS Lambda functions that evaluate the RDS instance configuration. In the Lambda function, if a resource is non-compliant, call the RDS API to enable encryption and modify backup settings.
Why wrong: Custom rules require writing and maintaining Lambda code. Managed rules already exist for both requirements, reducing operational overhead. The automatic remediation should use pre-built runbooks when possible.
- C
Use the AWS Config managed rules 'rds-instance-encrypted' and 'rds-backup-enabled'. Configure automatic remediation for each rule using the corresponding AWS Systems Manager Automation runbook: 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceEncryption' and 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceBackup'.
This is the correct approach. Managed rules evaluate compliance, and automatic remediation using Systems Manager Automation runbooks applies the fix without custom code. The runbooks perform the necessary API calls to enable encryption and backups, meeting the policy requirements.
- D
Use a single custom AWS Config rule that checks both encryption and backup settings. If non-compliant, trigger an AWS Lambda function that uses the RDS API to configure both settings.
Why wrong: Although this reduces the number of rules, it requires writing and maintaining a custom rule and Lambda function. The use of managed rules for each requirement is simpler and leverages AWS best practices. Also, combining two checks into one rule makes it harder to manage separate remediation actions.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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's security policy requires that all Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL instances be encrypted at rest using AWS Key Management Service (KMS) customer managed keys and have automated backups enabled with a retention period of at least 30 days. A SysOps administrator needs to use AWS Config to automatically detect any RDS instance that is non-compliant with either requirement and automatically remediate it. Which combination of AWS Config managed rules and remediation actions should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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 the AWS Config managed rules 'rds-instance-encrypted' and 'rds-backup-enabled'. Configure automatic remediation for each rule using the corresponding AWS Systems Manager Automation runbook: 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceEncryption' and 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceBackup'.
Option C is correct because AWS Config managed rules 'rds-instance-encrypted' and 'rds-backup-enabled' natively evaluate encryption and backup compliance. The corresponding AWS Systems Manager Automation runbooks ('AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceEncryption' and 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceBackup') provide built-in, automatic remediation without custom code, aligning with the requirement to use managed rules and automatic remediation.
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 two AWS Config managed rules: 'rds-instance-encrypted' and 'rds-backup-enabled'. Configure each rule with an automatic remediation action that triggers an Amazon CloudWatch alarm, which then invokes an AWS Lambda function to enable encryption and backups.
Why it's wrong here
While this could work, it is not the most efficient. CloudWatch alarms are not designed to be triggered directly by Config rule compliance changes. The native remediation integration in AWS Config uses Systems Manager Automation runbooks, which are simpler and do not require custom Lambda code.
- ✗
Create custom AWS Config rules as AWS Lambda functions that evaluate the RDS instance configuration. In the Lambda function, if a resource is non-compliant, call the RDS API to enable encryption and modify backup settings.
Why it's wrong here
Custom rules require writing and maintaining Lambda code. Managed rules already exist for both requirements, reducing operational overhead. The automatic remediation should use pre-built runbooks when possible.
- ✓
Use the AWS Config managed rules 'rds-instance-encrypted' and 'rds-backup-enabled'. Configure automatic remediation for each rule using the corresponding AWS Systems Manager Automation runbook: 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceEncryption' and 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceBackup'.
Why this is correct
This is the correct approach. Managed rules evaluate compliance, and automatic remediation using Systems Manager Automation runbooks applies the fix without custom code. The runbooks perform the necessary API calls to enable encryption and backups, meeting the policy requirements.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a single custom AWS Config rule that checks both encryption and backup settings. If non-compliant, trigger an AWS Lambda function that uses the RDS API to configure both settings.
Why it's wrong here
Although this reduces the number of rules, it requires writing and maintaining a custom rule and Lambda function. The use of managed rules for each requirement is simpler and leverages AWS best practices. Also, combining two checks into one rule makes it harder to manage separate remediation actions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume custom Lambda functions are required for complex remediation, but AWS provides pre-built Systems Manager Automation runbooks that integrate directly with AWS Config managed rules for common RDS compliance issues, making custom code unnecessary.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Config managed rules for RDS encryption and backups evaluate resource configurations against the desired state, marking non-compliant resources. The Systems Manager Automation runbooks used for remediation are pre-built documents that execute RDS API calls (e.g., ModifyDBInstance to enable backups or modify encryption settings) with minimal latency, but note that enabling encryption on an existing unencrypted RDS instance requires a snapshot restore to a new encrypted instance, which the runbook handles automatically. In real-world scenarios, this remediation can cause downtime, so careful planning is needed.
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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Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the AWS Config managed rules 'rds-instance-encrypted' and 'rds-backup-enabled'. Configure automatic remediation for each rule using the corresponding AWS Systems Manager Automation runbook: 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceEncryption' and 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceBackup'. — Option C is correct because AWS Config managed rules 'rds-instance-encrypted' and 'rds-backup-enabled' natively evaluate encryption and backup compliance. The corresponding AWS Systems Manager Automation runbooks ('AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceEncryption' and 'AWSConfigRemediation-EnableRDSInstanceBackup') provide built-in, automatic remediation without custom code, aligning with the requirement to use managed rules and automatic remediation.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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 SOA-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 SOA-C02 exam.
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