CCSP Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security Practice Question
A security architect is designing a VPC for a three-tier web application. Which of the following VPC subnet designs provides the most secure isolation for the database tier?
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
✓
Database tier in a private subnet with security group allowing only the application tier
Placing the database tier in an isolated private subnet without direct internet access and with strict security group rules minimizes exposure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Database tier in a private subnet with security group allowing only the application tier
Why this is correct
Correct; private subnet with no internet gateway and restricted security group provides strong isolation.
- ✗
Database tier in a separate VPC with VPC peering
Why it's wrong here
VPC peering facilitates network connectivity between two distinct VPCs, but it fails to provide the required isolation for a three-tier application because it allows routing between subnets within the same logical network boundary. This design is intended for connecting disparate workloads or third-party environments that require private IP communication. It becomes the correct choice when integrating independent production environments rather than segmenting layers of a single application architecture.
- ✗
Database tier in a public subnet with security group allowing only the application tier
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; public subnets have direct internet access, increasing risk.
- ✗
Database tier in the same subnet as the application tier
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; co-locating tiers increases exposure to lateral movement.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 964 original CCSP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.