In IPsec CoS-based VPNs, the number of IPsec Security Associations (SAs) associated with a peer is based on the number of forwarding classes configured for the VPN. The forwarding classes are used to classify and prioritize different types of traffic, such as voice and data traffic. Each forwarding class requires a separate IPsec SA to be established between the peers, in order to provide the appropriate level of security and quality of service for each type of traffic.