Amazon CloudFront is the correct choice because it serves as a global web application entry point that minimizes latency through its vast network of edge locations, caching both static and dynamic content closer to end users worldwide, while simultaneously providing built-in DDoS protection via AWS Shield Standard and optional integration with AWS WAF for layer 7 filtering. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to combine global performance with security at the network edge, often appearing in questions that contrast CloudFront with services like AWS Global Accelerator or Application Load Balancer—a common trap is choosing Global Accelerator for its lower latency on dynamic traffic, but CloudFront remains the superior entry point when DDoS mitigation and caching are required together. Remember the memory tip: "Edge first, shield always"—CloudFront puts content at the edge and wraps it in AWS Shield, making it the single front door for low-latency, attack-resistant global apps.
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. 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 building a new web application that will be accessed by users globally. They want to minimize latency and protect against DDoS attacks. Which AWS service should they use as the entry point?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Why wrong: ELB is regional and does not provide global edge caching.
B
AWS Global Accelerator
Why wrong: Global Accelerator improves performance by routing traffic over the AWS network but does not cache content or provide the same DDoS protection as CloudFront.
C
Amazon CloudFront
CloudFront provides edge caching, low latency, and integrated DDoS protection.
D
Amazon Route 53
Why wrong: Route 53 is a DNS service, not a CDN. It does not cache content or provide edge termination.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon CloudFront
Amazon CloudFront is correct because it is a global content delivery network (CDN) that caches content at edge locations close to users, reducing latency for static and dynamic content. It also provides built-in DDoS protection through AWS Shield Standard and can integrate with AWS WAF for additional layer 7 filtering, making it the ideal entry point for a globally accessed web application requiring both low latency and DDoS mitigation.
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.
✗
Elastic Load Balancing
Why it's wrong here
ELB is regional and does not provide global edge caching.
✗
AWS Global Accelerator
Why it's wrong here
Global Accelerator improves performance by routing traffic over the AWS network but does not cache content or provide the same DDoS protection as CloudFront.
✓
Amazon CloudFront
Why this is correct
CloudFront provides edge caching, low latency, and integrated DDoS protection.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Amazon Route 53
Why it's wrong here
Route 53 is a DNS service, not a CDN. It does not cache content or provide edge termination.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse AWS Global Accelerator with CloudFront because both improve latency globally, but Global Accelerator does not cache content or provide application-layer DDoS protection, making it unsuitable as the primary entry point for a web application requiring both features.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudFront uses over 600 Points of Presence (PoPs) globally to cache content, reducing origin load and latency via edge servers that terminate user connections close to the client. Under the hood, CloudFront supports both HTTP/HTTPS and WebSocket protocols, and its integration with AWS WAF allows custom rules to block malicious requests at the edge before they reach the origin, effectively absorbing large-scale DDoS attacks like SYN floods or HTTP floods. A real-world scenario is a global e-commerce site where CloudFront caches product images and API responses, while AWS Shield Advanced provides additional DDoS cost protection and 24/7 support.
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.
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Amazon CloudFront — Amazon CloudFront is correct because it is a global content delivery network (CDN) that caches content at edge locations close to users, reducing latency for static and dynamic content. It also provides built-in DDoS protection through AWS Shield Standard and can integrate with AWS WAF for additional layer 7 filtering, making it the ideal entry point for a globally accessed web application requiring both low latency and DDoS mitigation.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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