CCSP Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security Practice Question
A cloud security team is designing network security for a multi-VPC architecture in AWS. Which TWO of the following are valid considerations for VPC peering?
⚠ Common exam trap
CCSP often tests the misconception that VPC peering supports transitive routing or requires an internet gateway, confusing it with VPN or Transit Gateway capabilities.
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
✓
VPC peering is a one-to-one relationship
Option C is correct because a VPC peering connection is strictly a one-to-one relationship between exactly two VPCs; you cannot attach a single peering connection to more than two VPCs, and each pair requires its own peering connection. Option E is correct because VPC peering routes traffic using private IPv4 or IPv6 addresses between the peered VPCs, so instances communicate over the AWS private network without traversing the public internet. Option A is incorrect because connecting on-premises networks to a VPC requires AWS Site-to-Site VPN or AWS Direct Connect, not VPC peering. Option B is incorrect because peering traffic flows over the AWS backbone and does not require an internet gateway, NAT device, or virtual private gateway. Option D is incorrect because VPC peering does not support transitive routing; to reach a third VPC you must establish a direct peering connection (or use a transit gateway).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
VPC peering can be used to connect on-premises networks
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering links two AWS VPCs only; on-premises connectivity needs AWS Site-to-Site VPN or Direct Connect instead. It is tempting because peering does provide private, non-internet routing between networks, which is the correct choice when joining two VPCs in the same or different AWS Regions or accounts.
- ✗
VPC peering requires an internet gateway for communication
Why it's wrong here
Peered VPCs communicate over AWS's private backbone using route table entries and security groups, so no internet gateway is involved. An internet gateway is the right component when a VPC needs inbound or outbound public internet access, not for private VPC-to-VPC traffic.
- ✓
VPC peering is a one-to-one relationship
Why this is correct
VPC peering links exactly two VPCs, so each peering connection is a discrete one-to-one relationship rather than a transitive hub. This satisfies the multi-VPC design constraint: traffic cannot route through a peered VPC to reach a third, requiring explicit mesh or transit gateway topologies.
- ✗
VPC peering supports transitive routing across multiple VPCs
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering is strictly non-transitive: traffic cannot hop from VPC A through VPC B to reach VPC C, so each pair needs its own peering connection. Transitive routing is what AWS Transit Gateway provides, and it is the correct choice for hub-and-spoke topologies with many VPCs.
- ✓
VPC peering allows private IP connectivity between VPCs
Why this is correct
Peering connects two VPCs over AWS's private backbone using private IPv4 or IPv6 addresses, so instances communicate as if on one network without traversing the public internet. It is non-transitive, so each pair of VPCs needs its own peering connection.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CCSP exam.