The answer is the AWS Application Load Balancer with Cognito authentication and AWS WAF. This combination provides secure, managed remote access to internal web applications in a private subnet without requiring a VPN client on each employee’s device because the ALB acts as a reverse proxy that terminates user connections at the edge, while Cognito handles identity federation and authentication via SAML or OIDC, allowing employees to log in using their existing corporate credentials. AWS WAF then adds a layer of protection by filtering malicious traffic before it reaches the ALB. On the AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty ANS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to replace traditional VPN-based remote access with a fully managed, clientless solution—a common trap is assuming a VPN or Client VPN endpoint is required, but the key insight is that ALB with Cognito eliminates the need for any client software. Memory tip: think “ALB + Cognito = no client needed,” and remember that WAF is the optional but recommended shield.
ANS-C01 Network Security, Compliance and Governance Practice Question
This ANS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of network security, compliance and governance. 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 wants to allow their employees to access internal web applications hosted on EC2 instances in a private subnet. The employees are outside the corporate network and connect via the internet. Which AWS service would provide secure, managed remote access without requiring a VPN client on each employee's device?
Why wrong: Direct Connect is a dedicated network connection, not for remote user access.
B
AWS Application Load Balancer with AWS WAF and Cognito authentication
An ALB with Cognito user pools provides authentication and can be public-facing, allowing users to access internal apps via the internet with security controls.
C
AWS Client VPN
Why wrong: Client VPN requires a client application on each device.
D
AWS Site-to-Site VPN
Why wrong: Site-to-Site VPN connects entire networks, not individual users.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Application Load Balancer with AWS WAF and Cognito authentication
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
AWS Direct Connect
Why it's wrong here
Direct Connect is a dedicated network connection, not for remote user access.
✓
AWS Application Load Balancer with AWS WAF and Cognito authentication
Why this is correct
An ALB with Cognito user pools provides authentication and can be public-facing, allowing users to access internal apps via the internet with security controls.
Client VPN requires a client application on each device.
✗
AWS Site-to-Site VPN
Why it's wrong here
Site-to-Site VPN connects entire networks, not individual users.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Network Security, Compliance and Governance — This question tests Network Security, Compliance and Governance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS Application Load Balancer with AWS WAF and Cognito authentication
What should I do if I get this ANS-C01 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related ANS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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