The answer is to use the default HTTPS endpoint provided by API Gateway. This is correct because API Gateway REST APIs automatically provision a TLS-enabled HTTPS endpoint using an Amazon-issued certificate, encrypting data in transit between the API Gateway and its clients without any additional configuration. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this tests your understanding that API Gateway handles transport layer security natively, so you do not need to set up a custom certificate or CloudFront just for encryption in transit. A common trap is overcomplicating the solution by choosing custom domain names or ACM certificates when the question simply asks for encrypting data in transit between API Gateway and clients—the default endpoint already does this. Remember the memory tip: “Default does the encrypt; no extra steps to implement.”
DVA-C02 Security Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 developer wants to encrypt data in transit between an API Gateway REST API and its clients. Which configuration should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the default HTTPS endpoint provided by API Gateway.
Option C is correct because API GatewayREST APIs automatically provide an HTTPS endpoint using TLS for data in transit encryption. This default endpoint uses an Amazon-issued certificate, ensuring encryption between clients and API Gateway without any additional configuration. The developer only needs to use the default HTTPS URL provided by API Gateway to satisfy the requirement.
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.
✗
Use a custom domain name with a certificate from ACM.
Why it's wrong here
Custom domain names are optional; the default API Gateway endpoint already supports HTTPS.
✗
Implement client-side encryption using a JavaScript library.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption does not ensure encryption in transit between client and server.
✓
Use the default HTTPS endpoint provided by API Gateway.
Why this is correct
API Gateway automatically provides HTTPS for REST APIs, encrypting data in transit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Attach an AWS WAF web ACL to the API Gateway.
Why it's wrong here
WAF provides security filtering, not encryption in transit.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often overcomplicate the solution by assuming a custom domain or additional services like WAF are needed for encryption, when the default HTTPS endpoint already provides TLS encryption for data in transit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
API Gateway's default HTTPS endpoint uses TLS 1.2 (and supports TLS 1.3) with an Amazon-issued certificate from AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) that is automatically managed and rotated. The endpoint is served from a regional or edge-optimized domain (e.g., `https://api-id.execute-api.region.amazonaws.com`), and the certificate is valid for the `*.execute-api.region.amazonaws.com` wildcard. In a real-world scenario, if a developer needs a custom domain (e.g., `api.example.com`), they must import or request a certificate from ACM and configure a base path mapping, but the encryption is still provided by the default endpoint without that extra step.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the default HTTPS endpoint provided by API Gateway. — Option C is correct because API Gateway REST APIs automatically provide an HTTPS endpoint using TLS for data in transit encryption. This default endpoint uses an Amazon-issued certificate, ensuring encryption between clients and API Gateway without any additional configuration. The developer only needs to use the default HTTPS URL provided by API Gateway to satisfy the requirement.
What should I do if I get this DVA-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.
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Question Discussion
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