- A
Cloud VPN (IPsec) connection
Site-to-site VPN creates an encrypted tunnel over the internet between on-prem and cloud.
- B
Client-side encryption before upload
Why wrong: Client-side encryption secures data at rest, not in transit over a network link.
- C
TLS 1.2 for all API communication
Why wrong: TLS is for API calls, not a persistent tunnel between networks.
- D
Cloud KMS key for envelope encryption
Why wrong: KMS manages keys, does not encrypt network traffic.
Question 465 of 1,000
CCSP Cloud Data Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud data 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 needs to encrypt data in transit between its on-premises data center and a cloud virtual private cloud (VPC). They require a dedicated, encrypted tunnel with consistent throughput. Which solution should be used?
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
✓
Cloud VPN (IPsec) connection
A site-to-site VPN (IPsec VPN) provides an encrypted tunnel over the public internet between on-premises and cloud VPC. For higher throughput and reliability, dedicated connections like AWS Direct Connect or Azure ExpressRoute can be used with optional encryption. However, the question specifies 'encrypted tunnel', which VPN provides.
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.
- ✓
Cloud VPN (IPsec) connection
Why this is correct
Site-to-site VPN creates an encrypted tunnel over the internet between on-prem and cloud.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Client-side encryption before upload
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption secures data at rest, not in transit over a network link.
- ✗
TLS 1.2 for all API communication
Why it's wrong here
TLS is for API calls, not a persistent tunnel between networks.
- ✗
Cloud KMS key for envelope encryption
Why it's wrong here
KMS manages keys, does not encrypt network 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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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.
Identify which CCSP 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.
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Cloud Data Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Data Security — This question tests Cloud Data Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cloud VPN (IPsec) connection — A site-to-site VPN (IPsec VPN) provides an encrypted tunnel over the public internet between on-premises and cloud VPC. For higher throughput and reliability, dedicated connections like AWS Direct Connect or Azure ExpressRoute can be used with optional encryption. However, the question specifies 'encrypted tunnel', which VPN provides.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Identify which CCSP 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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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