The correct answer is to configure the ALB listener to use HTTPS and set the target group protocol to HTTPS. This works because the listener terminates the client’s SSL connection, while the target group’s HTTPS protocol re-encrypts traffic between the ALB and EC2 instances, ensuring end-to-end encryption in transit. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this tests your understanding of how Application Load Balancers handle encryption at both the listener and target group layers, a common trap being that security group rules or listener rules alone can encrypt traffic—they cannot, as encryption is a protocol-level function, not a filtering one. A useful memory tip is to think of the ALB as a two-door system: the front door (listener) handles client encryption, and the back door (target group) handles server encryption; both must use HTTPS for the full path to be secure.
ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. 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 wants to encrypt all data in transit between an Application Load Balancer (ALB) and its target EC2 instances. Which TWO actions should be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the target group to use HTTPS as the protocol
Options A and D are correct. The ALB listener must use HTTPS to terminate SSL. The target group for the ALB must use HTTPS protocol to encrypt traffic to targets. Option B is wrong because listener rules do not affect encryption. Option C is wrong because security group rules do not encrypt traffic. Option E is wrong because Client Certificate Authentication is for client-to-ALB, not ALB-to-target.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable Client Certificate Authentication on the ALB
Why it's wrong here
This is for client authentication, not encrypting traffic to targets.
✓
Configure the target group to use HTTPS as the protocol
Why this is correct
HTTPS target group ensures traffic from ALB to targets is encrypted.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Add a listener rule to forward traffic based on path
Why it's wrong here
Listener rules are for routing, not encryption.
✓
Configure the ALB listener to use HTTPS
Why this is correct
HTTPS listener terminates SSL and can re-encrypt to targets.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Configure security groups to allow only HTTPS traffic
Why it's wrong here
Security groups allow or deny traffic but do not encrypt it.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related ANS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the target group to use HTTPS as the protocol — Options A and D are correct. The ALB listener must use HTTPS to terminate SSL. The target group for the ALB must use HTTPS protocol to encrypt traffic to targets. Option B is wrong because listener rules do not affect encryption. Option C is wrong because security group rules do not encrypt traffic. Option E is wrong because Client Certificate Authentication is for client-to-ALB, not ALB-to-target.
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related ANS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
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 company needs to encrypt data in transit between an Application Load Balancer and EC2 instances. Which TWO actions should they take?
easy
A.Create a TCP listener on the ALB.
B.Place Amazon CloudFront in front of the ALB.
✓ C.Upload a certificate to AWS Certificate Manager (ACM).
✓ D.Configure the ALB target group to use HTTPS protocol.
E.Use a self-signed certificate on the EC2 instances.
Why C: To encrypt traffic between ALB and EC2 instances, you need to upload a certificate to AWS Certificate Manager (ACM) and configure the ALB listener to use HTTPS for the backend. Option B and D are correct. Option A (TCP listener) does not support encryption. Option C (self-signed certificate) is not recommended for production. Option E (CloudFront) is a CDN, not required for backend encryption.
Variation 2. A company wants to encrypt data in transit between an Application Load Balancer (ALB) and its backend targets. Which AWS service should be used to terminate TLS at the ALB and re-encrypt traffic to the targets?
easy
A.AWS Certificate Manager (ACM)
B.AWS Shield
✓ C.Application Load Balancer with HTTPS listeners
D.AWS WAF
Why C: An ALB can terminate TLS and optionally re-encrypt traffic to targets using HTTPS. Option A is wrong because AWS Certificate Manager provides certificates, not encryption. Option B is wrong because AWS WAF is for web application firewall. Option D is wrong because AWS Shield is for DDoS protection.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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This ANS-C01 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 ANS-C01 exam.
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