The correct solution is to use an HTTPS listener on the ALB with a target group that uses HTTPS, as this ensures end-to-end encryption of traffic between the load balancer and the EC2 instances. This works because the HTTPS listener terminates the client’s TLS connection at the ALB, then re-encrypts the traffic using a new TLS session when forwarding requests to the target group, which must also be configured with HTTPS to accept encrypted connections. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of listener and target group protocol pairings, often appearing as a distractor where candidates mistakenly choose a TCP listener or assume an internal ALB automatically encrypts traffic. A common trap is thinking security groups or internal ALB placement provide encryption—they do not; encryption is strictly a function of the listener and target group protocol. Memory tip: think “double HTTPS” for end-to-end encryption—listener and target group both need the S.
ANS-C01 Network Implementation Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network implementation. 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 is deploying a web application across multiple Availability Zones in a VPC. The application tier consists of EC2 instances behind an Application Load Balancer (ALB). The security team requires that all traffic between the ALB and the EC2 instances be encrypted. Which solution meets this requirement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use an HTTPS listener on the ALB with a target group that uses HTTPS.
Option B is correct because using an HTTPS listener on the ALB with a target group that uses HTTPS ensures end-to-end encryption. Option A is incorrect because TCP listeners do not encrypt traffic. Option C is incorrect because internal ALBs still require HTTPS listeners for encryption. Option D is incorrect because security groups do not provide encryption.
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 an internal ALB with a TCP listener and a security group that allows only HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups do not encrypt traffic.
✗
Use an HTTP listener on the ALB and enable encryption on the security group.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups do not provide encryption.
✓
Use an HTTPS listener on the ALB with a target group that uses HTTPS.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which ANS-C01 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.
Network Implementation — This question tests Network Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use an HTTPS listener on the ALB with a target group that uses HTTPS. — Option B is correct because using an HTTPS listener on the ALB with a target group that uses HTTPS ensures end-to-end encryption. Option A is incorrect because TCP listeners do not encrypt traffic. Option C is incorrect because internal ALBs still require HTTPS listeners for encryption. Option D is incorrect because security groups do not provide encryption.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which ANS-C01 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.
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Question Discussion
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