Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Direct Connect combined with a VPN. This is correct because while AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated, private network connection from on-premises to AWS, bypassing the public internet for consistent performance and bandwidth, it does not inherently encrypt the data in transit. By layering an IPSec VPN over the Direct Connect link, you achieve both the dedicated, low-latency path and end-to-end encryption, satisfying the security policy requirement for an encrypted dedicated network connection. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid connectivity trade-offs—specifically that Direct Connect alone is unencrypted, and the common trap is assuming the dedicated line is automatically secure. A useful memory tip is to think of Direct Connect as the private highway and the VPN as the armored vehicle; you need both for a secure, dedicated journey.
This DOP-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 data in transit between on-premises and AWS is encrypted. Which AWS service provides a dedicated network connection with encryption?
AWS Transit Gateway
Why wrong: Transit Gateway is a network hub, not an encryption service.
AWS Direct Connect + VPN
Combining Direct Connect with an IPSec VPN provides a dedicated encrypted link.
Amazon VPC peering
Why wrong: VPC peering does not encrypt traffic and is for VPC-to-VPC.
AWS Site-to-Site VPN over the internet
Why wrong: VPN over internet is not dedicated; it shares bandwidth.
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 Direct Connect + VPN
AWS Direct Connect with IPSec VPN provides a dedicated encrypted connection. Option A is correct.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Transit Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Transit Gateway is a network hub, not an encryption service.
AWS Direct Connect + VPN
Amazon VPC peering
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering does not encrypt traffic and is for VPC-to-VPC.
AWS Site-to-Site VPN over the internet
Why it's wrong here
VPN over internet is not dedicated; it shares bandwidth.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Identify which DOP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Direct Connect + VPN — AWS Direct Connect with IPSec VPN provides a dedicated encrypted connection. Option A is correct.
Identify which DOP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DOP-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 DOP-C02 exam.
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