- A
Use a public virtual interface with Direct Connect and configure an IPsec VPN over it.
This provides encryption over the Direct Connect connection.
- B
Use a Site-to-Site VPN connection over the internet.
Why wrong: This does not use Direct Connect.
- C
Use a Direct Connect Gateway and configure an IPsec VPN over the private virtual interface.
This encrypts traffic over the private VIF.
- D
Use a Transit VPC architecture with VPN attachments.
Why wrong: Transit VPC does not inherently encrypt traffic.
- E
Use a private virtual interface with Direct Connect.
Why wrong: A private virtual interface does not encrypt traffic.
Question 988 of 1,748
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 enforce encryption in transit for all traffic between its VPC and on-premises data center over AWS Direct Connect. Which TWO configurations can achieve this?
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
✓
Use a public virtual interface with Direct Connect and configure an IPsec VPN over it.
Option A is correct because a public virtual interface over Direct Connect provides connectivity to public AWS endpoints, and by layering an IPsec VPN on top, you encrypt all traffic between your VPC and on-premises data center. This ensures encryption in transit while leveraging the low latency and reliability of Direct Connect. Option C is correct because a Direct Connect Gateway allows you to connect multiple VPCs to a Direct Connect private virtual interface, and configuring an IPsec VPN over that private virtual interface encrypts traffic end-to-end, meeting the encryption requirement.
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.
- ✓
Use a public virtual interface with Direct Connect and configure an IPsec VPN over it.
Why this is correct
This provides encryption over the Direct Connect connection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a Site-to-Site VPN connection over the internet.
Why it's wrong here
This does not use Direct Connect.
- ✓
Use a Direct Connect Gateway and configure an IPsec VPN over the private virtual interface.
Why this is correct
This encrypts traffic over the private VIF.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a Transit VPC architecture with VPN attachments.
Why it's wrong here
Transit VPC does not inherently encrypt traffic.
- ✗
Use a private virtual interface with Direct Connect.
Why it's wrong here
A private virtual interface does not encrypt traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume a private virtual interface alone provides encryption, but it does not—it only provides a private network path, and encryption must be explicitly added via IPsec or a similar protocol.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When using IPsec over a Direct Connect public virtual interface, the VPN tunnel is established between the on-premises VPN gateway and a virtual private gateway in AWS, encapsulating traffic with ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) per RFC 4303. For a Direct Connect Gateway with a private virtual interface, the IPsec VPN can be terminated on the on-premises side and on a VPN-capable appliance in the VPC, ensuring that even though the underlying Direct Connect link is private, all data is encrypted. This approach is common in hybrid architectures where compliance mandates encryption for all data in transit, even over dedicated connections.
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.
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 SCS-C02 question test?
Infrastructure Security — This question tests Infrastructure Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a public virtual interface with Direct Connect and configure an IPsec VPN over it. — Option A is correct because a public virtual interface over Direct Connect provides connectivity to public AWS endpoints, and by layering an IPsec VPN on top, you encrypt all traffic between your VPC and on-premises data center. This ensures encryption in transit while leveraging the low latency and reliability of Direct Connect. Option C is correct because a Direct Connect Gateway allows you to connect multiple VPCs to a Direct Connect private virtual interface, and configuring an IPsec VPN over that private virtual interface encrypts traffic end-to-end, meeting the encryption requirement.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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