Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Direct Connect with MACsec and AWS Site-to-Site VPN. Site-to-Site VPN uses IPsec tunnels to encrypt traffic at Layer 3, while Direct Connect with MACsec provides encryption at Layer 2, securing the physical link between your on-premises data center and AWS. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of encryption boundaries: you must know that Transit Gateway and VPC peering do not encrypt traffic, and that PrivateLink encrypts only within AWS, not across the on-premises boundary. A common trap is assuming Direct Connect alone provides encryption—it does not; you must explicitly enable MACsec. For a memory tip, remember “MACsec for Layer 2, IPsec for Layer 3” to quickly differentiate the two services that encrypt data in transit between on-premises and AWS.
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. 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 wants to encrypt all data in transit between its on-premises data center and AWS. Which two services or features can provide encryption for data in transit?
AWS PrivateLink
Why wrong: Encrypts traffic within AWS, not for on-premises connectivity.
VPC peering
Why wrong: No encryption.
AWS Site-to-Site VPN
IPsec encryption.
AWS Transit Gateway
Why wrong: Transit Gateway does not provide encryption.
AWS Direct Connect with MACsec
MACsec provides encryption.
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 Site-to-Site VPN
AWS Site-to-Site VPN uses IPsec to encrypt traffic. AWS Direct Connect with MACsec provides encryption at Layer 2. Option B and D are correct. Option A is wrong because Transit Gateway does not encrypt. Option C is wrong because VPC peering does not encrypt. Option E is wrong because PrivateLink encrypts traffic within AWS but not between on-premises and AWS.
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 PrivateLink
Why it's wrong here
Encrypts traffic within AWS, not for on-premises connectivity.
VPC peering
Why it's wrong here
No encryption.
AWS Site-to-Site VPN
Why this is correct
IPsec encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS Transit Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Transit Gateway does not provide encryption.
AWS Direct Connect with MACsec
Why this is correct
MACsec provides encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 ANS-C01 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.
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FAQ
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Site-to-Site VPN — AWS Site-to-Site VPN uses IPsec to encrypt traffic. AWS Direct Connect with MACsec provides encryption at Layer 2. Option B and D are correct. Option A is wrong because Transit Gateway does not encrypt. Option C is wrong because VPC peering does not encrypt. Option E is wrong because PrivateLink encrypts traffic within AWS but not between on-premises and AWS.
Identify which ANS-C01 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company wants to encrypt data in transit between an on-premises data center and AWS. Which service provides a dedicated encrypted connection?
easyWhy B: Option D is correct because AWS Direct Connect with MACsec provides dedicated encrypted connection. Option A is wrong because AWS Site-to-Site VPN is over the internet, not dedicated. Option B is wrong because client VPN is for individual users. Option C is wrong because Transit Gateway is a hub, not a connection type.
Variation 2. A company wants to encrypt all data in transit between its on-premises data center and AWS. They are using AWS Direct Connect for connectivity. Which additional configuration is required to ensure encryption?
easyWhy D: Option C is correct. Direct Connect does not provide encryption by default; you need to establish an IPsec VPN over the Direct Connect connection. Option A is wrong because Direct Connect itself does not encrypt. Option B is wrong because TLS is for application-level. Option D is wrong because MACsec is for encryption of Direct Connect at Layer 1, but it is not commonly used; IPsec is the standard.
Variation 3. A company has a requirement to encrypt all data in transit between its on-premises network and AWS over a VPN connection. Which solution provides encryption in transit?
easyWhy A: Option A is correct because AWS Site-to-Site VPN uses IPsec tunnels to encrypt data in transit. Option B is wrong because Direct Connect does not natively encrypt traffic; encryption must be added at the application layer. Option C is wrong because VPC Peering does not encrypt traffic. Option D is wrong because Transit Gateway alone does not provide encryption.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This ANS-C01 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 ANS-C01 exam.
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