- A
Rapid elasticity
Why wrong: Rapid elasticity refers to the ability to automatically scale resources up or down based on demand, such as adding EC2 instances during traffic spikes. The scenario does not involve scaling; it focuses on ubiquitous access from different devices and locations.
- B
Measured service
Why wrong: Measured service means that cloud resource usage is metered, monitored, and reported, enabling pay-as-you-go billing. The scenario does not involve metering or billing; it is about how users connect to the application.
- C
Broad network access
Broad network access enables cloud resources to be accessed over the network via standard protocols (e.g., HTTPS) from a wide range of client devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The sales representatives accessing the CRM application from multiple device types and locations directly demonstrates this characteristic.
- D
Resource pooling
Why wrong: Resource pooling means that the provider's computing resources are pooled to serve multiple customers using a multi-tenant model, with physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned. The scenario does not mention multi-tenancy or resource sharing; it focuses on user access methods.
Quick Answer
The answer is broad network access. This is correct because the scenario demonstrates how cloud capabilities are made available over the network and accessed through standard protocols like HTTPS, enabling use by a variety of devices—laptops, tablets, and smartphones—without requiring location-specific infrastructure. On the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam, this essential characteristic tests your understanding of the NIST definition, specifically how cloud resources are reachable from any standard client platform via common network protocols. A common trap is confusing broad network access with on-demand self-service, but remember: broad network access is about *where and how* you connect, not about provisioning. For a quick memory tip, think “any device, any location, standard protocol”—that’s the hallmark of broad network access.
CLF-C02 Cloud Concepts Practice Question
This CLF-C02 practice question tests your understanding of cloud concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 deployed a customer relationship management (CRM) application on AWS. Sales representatives use the application from their office laptops, company-issued tablets, and personal smartphones. They access the application securely through a web browser using HTTPS from any location, including client sites and home offices. This capability is an example of which essential characteristic of cloud computing?
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
Broad network access
Broad network access is the correct answer because the scenario describes the ability to access the CRM application from various devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) over the network using standard protocols (HTTPS). This aligns with the NIST definition of broad network access, which states that capabilities are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms.
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.
- ✗
Rapid elasticity
Why it's wrong here
Rapid elasticity refers to the ability to automatically scale resources up or down based on demand, such as adding EC2 instances during traffic spikes. The scenario does not involve scaling; it focuses on ubiquitous access from different devices and locations.
- ✗
Measured service
Why it's wrong here
Measured service means that cloud resource usage is metered, monitored, and reported, enabling pay-as-you-go billing. The scenario does not involve metering or billing; it is about how users connect to the application.
- ✓
Broad network access
Why this is correct
Broad network access enables cloud resources to be accessed over the network via standard protocols (e.g., HTTPS) from a wide range of client devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The sales representatives accessing the CRM application from multiple device types and locations directly demonstrates this characteristic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Resource pooling
Why it's wrong here
Resource pooling means that the provider's computing resources are pooled to serve multiple customers using a multi-tenant model, with physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned. The scenario does not mention multi-tenancy or resource sharing; it focuses on user access methods.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse broad network access with rapid elasticity because both involve 'access from anywhere' or 'scalability,' but the key distinction is that broad network access is about device and protocol heterogeneity, not automatic scaling.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Rapid elasticity refers to the ability to automatically scale resources up or down based on demand, such as adding EC2 instances during traffic spikes. The scenario does not involve scaling; it focuses on ubiquitous access from different devices and locations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Broad network access is defined in NIST SP 800-145 as capabilities being available over the network and accessed through standard protocols (e.g., HTTP/HTTPS, SSH, RDP) that support use by heterogeneous client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and workstations). In AWS, this is commonly enabled by services like Application Load Balancers or CloudFront, which terminate HTTPS and route traffic to backend resources, ensuring secure access from any device with a browser. A subtle behavior is that broad network access does not imply public internet access; it can also be achieved over a private network via VPN or Direct Connect, as long as standard protocols are used.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CLF-C02 question test?
Cloud Concepts — This question tests Cloud Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Broad network access — Broad network access is the correct answer because the scenario describes the ability to access the CRM application from various devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) over the network using standard protocols (HTTPS). This aligns with the NIST definition of broad network access, which states that capabilities are available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms.
What should I do if I get this CLF-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on CLF-C02
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A multinational company hosts its customer relationship management (CRM) application on AWS. Sales team members access the CRM from various locations using desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. They connect over the internet through standard web browsers. Which essential characteristic of cloud computing does this scenario best illustrate?
easy- A.Resource pooling
- B.Measured service
- ✓ C.Broad network access
- D.Rapid elasticity
Why C: This scenario best illustrates broad network access because the CRM application is accessed over the internet by sales team members using a variety of devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones) through standard web browsers. Broad network access is the cloud computing characteristic that defines the ability to access resources via standard protocols (e.g., HTTPS, TLS) from heterogeneous client platforms, which is exactly what is described here.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CLF-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services 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 CLF-C02 exam.
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