The correct answer is to use a Direct Connect Gateway and configure an IPsec VPN over the private virtual interface, or alternatively, to establish an IPsec VPN over a public virtual interface. This works because AWS Direct Connect private virtual interfaces do not inherently encrypt traffic in transit; they provide a dedicated, private network connection but leave data unencrypted at the network layer. By layering an IPsec VPN over either a private or public virtual interface, you enforce end-to-end encryption while still leveraging the low latency and reliability of Direct Connect. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to combine Direct Connect with VPN encryption to meet compliance requirements, a common scenario for hybrid cloud architectures. A frequent trap is assuming a private virtual interface alone provides encryption, or confusing a standard Site-to-Site VPN over the internet with a Direct Connect-backed VPN. Remember the memory tip: “Direct Connect is the highway, IPsec is the armored car—you need both for secure transit.”
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 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 B (IPsecVPN over public VIF) and Option D (IPsec VPN over private VIF using Direct Connect Gateway) are correct. Option A is wrong because Direct Connect private virtual interface does not encrypt traffic by default. Option C is wrong because a Site-to-Site VPN over the internet does not use Direct Connect. Option E is wrong because Transit VPC is a network topology, not an encryption method.
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
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SCS-C02 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.
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 B (IPsec VPN over public VIF) and Option D (IPsec VPN over private VIF using Direct Connect Gateway) are correct. Option A is wrong because Direct Connect private virtual interface does not encrypt traffic by default. Option C is wrong because a Site-to-Site VPN over the internet does not use Direct Connect. Option E is wrong because Transit VPC is a network topology, not an encryption method.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SCS-C02 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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