- A
Configure the ALB to use HTTPS listeners and the target group to use HTTPS.
This encrypts traffic between the client and ALB, and between ALB and EC2 instances if the target group uses HTTPS.
- B
Place the EC2 instances in private subnets and use a NAT gateway for outbound internet access.
Private subnets prevent direct inbound internet access, and NAT gateway allows necessary outbound traffic.
- C
Attach an Internet Gateway to the VPC and route traffic through it.
Why wrong: An Internet Gateway provides direct internet access, which violates the requirement that EC2 instances have no direct internet access.
- D
Enable VPC Flow Logs on the private subnets.
Why wrong: VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic information but do not encrypt traffic or block internet access.
- E
Configure network ACLs to deny all inbound traffic from the internet.
Why wrong: Network ACLs are stateless and do not encrypt traffic. They also require careful configuration to not block legitimate traffic.
Quick Answer
The answer is to configure the ALB with an HTTPS listener and an HTTPS target group, and to place the EC2 instances in private subnets with a NAT gateway for outbound access. This works because the HTTPS listener on the ALB terminates client encryption, while the HTTPS target group protocol re-encrypts traffic between the ALB and the EC2 instances using TLS, ensuring end-to-end encryption. Placing the EC2 instances in private subnets with a NAT gateway satisfies the no-direct-internet-access requirement by allowing only outbound traffic for updates while blocking inbound internet traffic. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to encrypt traffic between ALB and EC2 in private subnets without exposing instances to the public internet—a common trap is confusing Network ACLs or VPC Flow Logs with encryption mechanisms. Remember the mnemonic: “HTTPS all the way, private subnets for the stay.”
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 designing a new multi-tier web application on AWS. The application consists of a public-facing Application Load Balancer, a fleet of EC2 instances in private subnets, and an RDS database in a private subnet. The security team requires that all traffic between the ALB and EC2 instances be encrypted, and that the EC2 instances have no direct internet access. Which TWO actions should the company take to meet these requirements? (Choose TWO.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Configure the ALB to use HTTPS listeners and the target group to use HTTPS.
The correct answers are A and B. Option A is correct because using HTTPS listeners on the ALB encrypts traffic between the client and ALB, and by using HTTPS as the protocol for the target group, the traffic between ALB and EC2 instances is also encrypted. Option B is correct because placing EC2 instances in private subnets ensures they have no direct internet access, and using a NAT gateway for outbound access allows them to reach the internet for updates if needed, but not inbound. Option C is wrong because Network ACLs are stateless and need rules for both inbound and outbound, but they do not encrypt traffic. Option D is wrong because VPC Flow Logs are for monitoring, not for encryption or internet access control. Option E is wrong because an Internet Gateway provides internet access, which is not allowed.
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure the ALB to use HTTPS listeners and the target group to use HTTPS.
- ✓
Place the EC2 instances in private subnets and use a NAT gateway for outbound internet access.
- ✗
Attach an Internet Gateway to the VPC and route traffic through it.
Why it's wrong here
An Internet Gateway provides direct internet access, which violates the requirement that EC2 instances have no direct internet access.
- ✗
Enable VPC Flow Logs on the private subnets.
Why it's wrong here
VPC Flow Logs capture network traffic information but do not encrypt traffic or block internet access.
- ✗
Configure network ACLs to deny all inbound traffic from the internet.
Why it's wrong here
Network ACLs are stateless and do not encrypt traffic. They also require careful configuration to not block legitimate traffic.
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 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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SAP-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Design for New Solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the ALB to use HTTPS listeners and the target group to use HTTPS. — The correct answers are A and B. Option A is correct because using HTTPS listeners on the ALB encrypts traffic between the client and ALB, and by using HTTPS as the protocol for the target group, the traffic between ALB and EC2 instances is also encrypted. Option B is correct because placing EC2 instances in private subnets ensures they have no direct internet access, and using a NAT gateway for outbound access allows them to reach the internet for updates if needed, but not inbound. Option C is wrong because Network ACLs are stateless and need rules for both inbound and outbound, but they do not encrypt traffic. Option D is wrong because VPC Flow Logs are for monitoring, not for encryption or internet access control. Option E is wrong because an Internet Gateway provides internet access, which is not allowed.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 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 SAP-C02 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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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