AWS gives you options for encryption. Lots of them. The challenge isn't whether to encrypt — it's choosing the right approach for your security governance requirements.

Here's how I think about the options:

AWS Managed Keys AWS controls everything. Simple, zero maintenance, but limited visibility into key management. Good for: getting started, low-sensitivity data.

Customer Master Keys (CMK) with AWS Key Material You control rotation policies and access. AWS handles the cryptographic operations. Good for: most production workloads where you need audit trails.

CMK with Custom Key Material You bring your own key material. Full control over the entropy source and key lifecycle. Good for: regulatory requirements that mandate key provenance.

CloudHSM Dedicated hardware security modules. Your keys never leave tamper-resistant hardware. Good for: financial services, healthcare, government — anywhere compliance demands it.

Each level adds control but also complexity. The right choice depends on your threat model, compliance requirements, and operational capacity.

Don't over-engineer. But don't under-protect either. Understand your data classification, then pick the encryption strategy that matches.

Security isn't one-size-fits-all. Neither is encryption.