- A
AWS Site-to-Site VPN connection.
Why wrong: Not required for basic VPC setup.
- B
Internet Gateway attached to the VPC.
Provides internet access to public subnet.
- C
NAT Gateway in the public subnet.
Allows private instances to reach internet for updates.
- D
VPC Peering connection to a central VPC.
Why wrong: Not needed for this setup.
- E
Security group for the database allowing traffic only from the application tier.
Restricts access to the database.
DOP-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
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.
Which THREE components are necessary to implement a secure VPC with a public subnet and a private subnet that hosts a database? (Choose THREE.)
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
Internet Gateway attached to the VPC.
Correct options: A, B, and D. Option A: NAT Gateway allows private subnet instances to access the internet. Option B: Internet Gateway allows public subnet instances to access the internet. Option D: Security groups act as firewalls for the database. Option C is wrong because VPN is not necessary. Option E is wrong because VPC Peering is for connecting VPCs.
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.
- ✗
AWS Site-to-Site VPN connection.
Why it's wrong here
Not required for basic VPC setup.
- ✓
Internet Gateway attached to the VPC.
Why this is correct
Provides internet access to public subnet.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✓
NAT Gateway in the public subnet.
Why this is correct
Allows private instances to reach internet for updates.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
VPC Peering connection to a central VPC.
Why it's wrong here
Not needed for this setup.
- ✓
Security group for the database allowing traffic only from the application tier.
Why this is correct
Restricts access to the database.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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 DOP-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
- →
Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Internet Gateway attached to the VPC. — Correct options: A, B, and D. Option A: NAT Gateway allows private subnet instances to access the internet. Option B: Internet Gateway allows public subnet instances to access the internet. Option D: Security groups act as firewalls for the database. Option C is wrong because VPN is not necessary. Option E is wrong because VPC Peering is for connecting VPCs.
What should I do if I get this DOP-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 DOP-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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