- A
Enable TLS on the EC2 instance
Why wrong: TLS is application-specific; it does not encrypt all network traffic.
- B
Use an SSL certificate on the on-premises router
Why wrong: SSL is for web traffic, not for encrypting all traffic over Direct Connect.
- C
Use AWS Key Management Service (KMS) to encrypt the traffic
Why wrong: KMS is for encryption key management, not for encrypting network traffic.
- D
Set up an IPsec VPN tunnel over the Direct Connect private VIF
IPsec VPN provides encryption at the network layer over the Direct Connect connection.
Question 572 of 1,705
ANS-C01 Network Implementation Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network implementation. 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 has a Direct Connect connection with a private VIF to a VPC. The VPC has a subnet that hosts an EC2 instance with a sensitive database. The company wants to add an extra layer of encryption for traffic between the on-premises network and the EC2 instance. Which solution should be used?
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
✓
Set up an IPsec VPN tunnel over the Direct Connect private VIF
Option D is correct because an IPsec VPN tunnel over a Direct Connect private VIF adds an extra layer of encryption to traffic between on-premises and the EC2 instance. Direct Connect private VIFs provide a private, isolated connection but do not encrypt data by default; IPsec encrypts the IP payload at Layer 3, ensuring confidentiality over the physical link. This meets the requirement for an additional encryption layer without altering the application or network stack on the EC2 instance.
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 TLS on the EC2 instance
Why it's wrong here
TLS is application-specific; it does not encrypt all network traffic.
- ✗
Use an SSL certificate on the on-premises router
Why it's wrong here
SSL is for web traffic, not for encrypting all traffic over Direct Connect.
- ✗
Use AWS Key Management Service (KMS) to encrypt the traffic
Why it's wrong here
KMS is for encryption key management, not for encrypting network traffic.
- ✓
Set up an IPsec VPN tunnel over the Direct Connect private VIF
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The ANS-C01 exam often tests the misconception that Direct Connect private VIFs are inherently encrypted, leading candidates to overlook the need for an additional encryption layer like IPsec, or they confuse encryption at rest (KMS) with encryption in transit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IPsec operates in tunnel mode over a Direct Connect private VIF by encapsulating the original IP packet with an IPsec header and a new IP header, encrypting the payload. This allows the on-premises router and a virtual private gateway or EC2 instance to establish a secure tunnel that encrypts all Layer 3 traffic, including TCP/UDP, regardless of application protocol. In real-world scenarios, this is often used to meet compliance requirements (e.g., PCI DSS) that mandate encryption for sensitive data traversing private network links, even though the physical connection is isolated.
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 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.
Visual reference
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ANS-C01 question test?
Network Implementation — This question tests Network Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up an IPsec VPN tunnel over the Direct Connect private VIF — Option D is correct because an IPsec VPN tunnel over a Direct Connect private VIF adds an extra layer of encryption to traffic between on-premises and the EC2 instance. Direct Connect private VIFs provide a private, isolated connection but do not encrypt data by default; IPsec encrypts the IP payload at Layer 3, ensuring confidentiality over the physical link. This meets the requirement for an additional encryption layer without altering the application or network stack on the EC2 instance.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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