The answer is to set up AWS Site-to-Site VPN connections between the VPCs via the transit gateway. This is correct because a transit gateway acts as a central hub, and when you attach VPN connections to it, all traffic routed between the attached VPCs is encrypted using IPsec tunnels, ensuring confidentiality in transit. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that VPC Peering does not provide encryption by default, and that native transit gateway routing alone is unencrypted. A common trap is assuming VPC Peering or Network ACLs can encrypt traffic—they cannot. The key exam concept is that to encrypt inter-VPC traffic over a transit gateway, you must deliberately overlay a VPN, which can be done with AWS Site-to-Site VPN or a third-party appliance. Memory tip: think “TGW + VPN = encrypted lane,” while plain TGW peering is like an open highway.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 an AWS account with multiple VPCs connected via a transit gateway. The SysOps administrator needs to ensure that all traffic between VPCs is encrypted in transit. Which solution should the administrator implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set up AWS Site-to-Site VPN connections between the VPCs via the transit gateway.
Option B is correct because VPN connections between VPCs or using AWS VPN CloudHub can encrypt traffic. Option A is wrong because VPC Peering does not encrypt traffic. Option C is wrong because VPC endpoints are for accessing AWS services. Option D is wrong because NACLs are stateless packet filters, not encryption.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 VPC peering connections between the VPCs.
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering does not encrypt traffic by default.
✗
Use VPC endpoints to route traffic through AWS PrivateLink.
Why it's wrong here
PrivateLink is for accessing services, not for encrypting inter-VPC traffic.
✓
Set up AWS Site-to-Site VPN connections between the VPCs via the transit gateway.
Configure network ACLs to deny unencrypted traffic.
Why it's wrong here
NACLs do not provide encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SOA-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up AWS Site-to-Site VPN connections between the VPCs via the transit gateway. — Option B is correct because VPN connections between VPCs or using AWS VPN CloudHub can encrypt traffic. Option A is wrong because VPC Peering does not encrypt traffic. Option C is wrong because VPC endpoints are for accessing AWS services. Option D is wrong because NACLs are stateless packet filters, not encryption.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SOA-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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