The correct action is to enable S3 bucket encryption for backups and enable encryption for CloudWatch Logs using KMS. This is required because HIPAA mandates encryption of electronic protected health information (ePHI) at rest across all storage layers, not just the primary database. While AWS RDS encryption with KMS secures the live PostgreSQL instance, the database backups stored in an unencrypted S3 bucket and the application logs sent to CloudWatch Logs without encryption are separate data stores that also contain ePHI and must be encrypted to maintain compliance. On the Certified Cloud Security Professional CCSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model and the principle that encryption must cover every repository where ePHI resides, including backups and logs. A common trap is assuming that encrypting the database alone satisfies HIPAA, but auditors will flag any unencrypted auxiliary storage. Remember the memory tip: “Live, Log, and Backup—encrypt every track.”
CCSP Legal, Risk and Compliance Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of legal, risk 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 healthcare organization is migrating its electronic health record (EHR) system to a public cloud. The system stores sensitive patient data subject to HIPAA. The cloud architect has designed a multi-tier architecture with load balancers, web servers, application servers, and a PostgreSQL database. The database contains ePHI. To meet compliance, the architect plans to encrypt the database at rest using AWS RDS encryption with KMS. However, during a security review, the compliance officer notes that the database backups are stored in an S3 bucket that is not encrypted. Additionally, the application logs, which may contain patient data, are sent to CloudWatch Logs without encryption. The compliance officer insists that all data stores containing ePHI must be encrypted at rest. Which action should the architect take to ensure compliance?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable S3 bucket encryption for backups and enable encryption for CloudWatch Logs using KMS.
Option A is correct because HIPAA requires encryption of ePHI at rest in all data stores. The S3 bucket containing unencrypted database backups and the CloudWatch Logs that may contain patient data both need encryption enabled via KMS to meet compliance. AWS RDS encryption protects the live database, but backups and logs are separate storage locations that must also be encrypted.
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.
✓
Enable S3 bucket encryption for backups and enable encryption for CloudWatch Logs using KMS.
Why this is correct
This ensures all data stores with ePHI are encrypted at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable automated backups and rely on point-in-time recovery.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling backups is not a compliance solution and may violate data retention policies.
✗
Enable encryption on the RDS instance and use encrypted replicas.
Why it's wrong here
This does not address the unencrypted backups and logs.
✗
Enable encryption on the S3 bucket only, since backups are the main concern.
Why it's wrong here
This ignores the CloudWatch Logs which may contain ePHI.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume encrypting the RDS instance automatically encrypts all associated data stores, such as backups exported to S3 and CloudWatch Logs, when in fact each service requires separate encryption configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS RDS encryption uses KMS to encrypt the underlying storage, automated backups, read replicas, and snapshots at rest, but it does not automatically encrypt manual snapshots exported to S3 or logs sent to CloudWatch. For S3, server-side encryption with KMS (SSE-KMS) must be explicitly enabled on the bucket or via a default encryption policy. For CloudWatch Logs, encryption at rest is enabled by associating a KMS key with the log group using the `associate-kms-key` API or the console, which encrypts log data stored in CloudWatch.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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.
Legal, Risk and Compliance — This question tests Legal, Risk and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable S3 bucket encryption for backups and enable encryption for CloudWatch Logs using KMS. — Option A is correct because HIPAA requires encryption of ePHI at rest in all data stores. The S3 bucket containing unencrypted database backups and the CloudWatch Logs that may contain patient data both need encryption enabled via KMS to meet compliance. AWS RDS encryption protects the live database, but backups and logs are separate storage locations that must also be encrypted.
What should I do if I get this CCSP 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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Question Discussion
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