The answer is to establish an IPsec VPN tunnel over the Direct Connect connection or enable MACsec at the physical layer. IPsec works by creating an encrypted tunnel over the existing private virtual interface, securing all IP traffic between your on-premises network and VPC without altering the underlying Direct Connect link. MACsec, on the other hand, provides encryption at Layer 2 by securing the physical connection itself, ensuring that all data traversing the fiber is encrypted before it leaves the local device. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of encryption options for dedicated network paths, often appearing as a trap where candidates confuse application-level encryption like SSL/TLS with link-layer security. A common mistake is selecting AWS KMS or Certificate Manager, which manage keys and certificates but do not encrypt traffic in transit. Remember the memory tip: “IPsec for the tunnel, MACsec for the cable” to quickly recall which two methods encrypt Direct Connect traffic.
SCS-C02 Infrastructure Security Practice Question
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.
A company is using AWS Direct Connect with a private virtual interface (VIF) to connect its on-premises network to a VPC. The security team wants to encrypt traffic over the Direct Connect connection. Which TWO options can be used? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable MACsec on the Direct Connect connection.
Option A is correct because IPsecVPN can be established over the private VIF to encrypt traffic. Option B is correct because MACsec can be enabled at the physical layer for encryption. Option C is wrong because SSL/TLS is application-level encryption, not for the link. Option D is wrong because AWS KMS does not encrypt network traffic. Option E is wrong because AWS Certificate Manager does not encrypt traffic.
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 AWS KMS to encrypt the traffic.
Why it's wrong here
KMS manages keys but does not encrypt network traffic.
✗
Use AWS Certificate Manager to issue certificates for the connection.
Why it's wrong here
ACM provides certificates for SSL/TLS, not for Direct Connect encryption.
✓
Enable MACsec on the Direct Connect connection.
Why this is correct
MACsec provides encryption at the data link layer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use SSL/TLS to encrypt the traffic between on-premises and AWS.
Why it's wrong here
SSL/TLS is application-specific, not a comprehensive solution for all traffic.
✓
Establish an IPsec VPN tunnel over the Direct Connect connection.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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: Enable MACsec on the Direct Connect connection. — Option A is correct because IPsec VPN can be established over the private VIF to encrypt traffic. Option B is correct because MACsec can be enabled at the physical layer for encryption. Option C is wrong because SSL/TLS is application-level encryption, not for the link. Option D is wrong because AWS KMS does not encrypt network traffic. Option E is wrong because AWS Certificate Manager does not encrypt traffic.
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.
About these practice questions
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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 use AWS Direct Connect to establish a dedicated network connection from its on-premises data center to AWS. Which of the following is a security best practice when configuring Direct Connect?
easy
✓ A.Use a private virtual interface (VIF) and enable IPsec encryption for the traffic.
B.Use a public VIF to access all AWS services including VPC resources.
C.Use a private VIF and establish an IPsec VPN tunnel over the Direct Connect connection.
D.Use a private VIF and enable MACsec encryption at the physical layer.
Why A: Option A is correct because using a private VIF ensures traffic goes over the AWS private network, not the internet, and encrypting with IPsec adds a layer of security. Option B is wrong because MACsec is for physical layer security, not required for private VIF. Option C is wrong because public VIF is for public services and is less secure. Option D is wrong because a VPN over Direct Connect is redundant if private VIF is used.
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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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