Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Direct Connect with IPSec VPN and AWS Site-to-Site VPN, as both establish encrypted tunnels using IPSec to protect data in transit between an on-premises data center and AWS. IPSec encrypts the entire IP packet, ensuring confidentiality and integrity even when traversing the public internet, which is the core requirement for securing sensitive data in transit. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of hybrid network encryption methods and the distinction between physical connectivity (Direct Connect) and logical encryption (IPSec overlay). A common trap is assuming Direct Connect alone is sufficient—it provides a private, low-latency link but does not inherently encrypt traffic; you must add IPSec or a VPN to meet encryption requirements. Another trap is confusing AWS Client VPN (for individual devices) with Site-to-Site VPN (for network-to-network). Memory tip: “Direct Connect is the private road, but IPSec is the armored car—you need both for secure data in transit.”
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. 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 TWO of the following are valid methods to protect sensitive data in transit between an on-premises data center and AWS? (Select TWO.)
AWS Transit Gateway
Why wrong: Transit Gateway alone does not encrypt.
AWS Site-to-Site VPN
Site-to-Site VPN encrypts traffic between on-premises and AWS.
Internet Gateway
Why wrong: An Internet Gateway does not encrypt traffic.
VPC Peering
Why wrong: VPC Peering does not provide encryption.
AWS Direct Connect with IPSec VPN
Combining Direct Connect with IPSec provides encryption over a private connection.
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 (Option B) creates an encrypted tunnel between an on-premises VPN device and a Virtual Private Gateway in AWS, using IPSec to protect data in transit. This ensures confidentiality and integrity of data crossing the public internet, making it a valid method for securing sensitive data between an on-premises data center 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 Transit Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Transit Gateway alone does not encrypt.
AWS Site-to-Site VPN
Why this is correct
Site-to-Site VPN encrypts traffic between on-premises and AWS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Internet Gateway
Why it's wrong here
An Internet Gateway does not encrypt traffic.
VPC Peering
Why it's wrong here
VPC Peering does not provide encryption.
AWS Direct Connect with IPSec VPN
Why this is correct
Combining Direct Connect with IPSec provides encryption over a private connection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume AWS Transit Gateway or VPC Peering inherently encrypt traffic, but they do not; encryption must be explicitly added via VPN or Direct Connect with IPSec, and the exam tests this distinction between connectivity and encryption.
Detailed technical explanation
AWS Site-to-Site VPN uses IPSec in tunnel mode with IKEv1 or IKEv2 to establish security associations, encapsulating IP packets with ESP headers for encryption and authentication. Direct Connect with IPSec VPN (Option E) combines a dedicated physical connection with an IPSec overlay, ensuring low latency and consistent bandwidth while still encrypting the traffic, which is critical for compliance requirements like PCI DSS or HIPAA. Under the hood, both options negotiate encryption keys and use algorithms such as AES-256 and SHA-256 to protect data, with the key difference being that Direct Connect bypasses the public internet for the physical path, while Site-to-Site VPN traverses it.
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
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FAQ
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Site-to-Site VPN — AWS Site-to-Site VPN (Option B) creates an encrypted tunnel between an on-premises VPN device and a Virtual Private Gateway in AWS, using IPSec to protect data in transit. This ensures confidentiality and integrity of data crossing the public internet, making it a valid method for securing sensitive data between an on-premises data center and AWS.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This SCS-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 SCS-C02 exam.
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