The correct answer is to use AWS WAF to create a rule that inspects the custom header and block requests without it, combined with configuring the ALB to forward that header to the target. This works because WAF operates at the application layer and can evaluate HTTP headers—including custom ones—before traffic reaches the ALB, while the ALB must be set to pass the header through to the backend EC2 instances so the application can verify it. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of defense-in-depth at Layer 7, often appearing in questions that try to trick you into choosing Security Groups (which cannot inspect headers) or Amazon Cognito (which handles user pools, not arbitrary custom headers). A common trap is assuming CloudFront or Cognito can validate custom headers, but WAF is the only service that natively inspects and filters based on header values at the edge. Memory tip: think “WAF watches the headers, ALB passes the parcel.”
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. 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 runs a web application on Amazon EC2 instances behind an Application Load Balancer (ALB). The application uses a custom header for authentication. The security team wants to ensure that requests are only accepted from authenticated users. Which TWO actions should the team take?
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 forward the custom header to the target group and validate it on the application.
Options B and D are correct. WAF can inspect custom headers, and ALB can forward headers to the target. Option A is wrong because Security Groups do not inspect headers. Option C is wrong because Cognito is for user pools, not custom headers. Option E is wrong because CloudFront is a CDN, not a security service.
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.
✗
Place an Amazon CloudFront distribution in front of the ALB and use signed URLs.
Why it's wrong here
Signed URLs are for CloudFront content, not for custom header validation.
✓
Configure the ALB to forward the custom header to the target group and validate it on the application.
Why this is correct
The application can validate the header if forwarded by ALB.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use AWS WAF to create a rule that inspects the custom header and blocks requests without it.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Amazon Cognito to authenticate users and pass the header.
Why it's wrong here
Cognito provides user authentication but does not inspect custom headers.
✗
Configure the ALB's security group to allow traffic only from known IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups filter by IP, not headers.
Common exam traps
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 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 SAP-C02 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.
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the ALB to forward the custom header to the target group and validate it on the application. — Options B and D are correct. WAF can inspect custom headers, and ALB can forward headers to the target. Option A is wrong because Security Groups do not inspect headers. Option C is wrong because Cognito is for user pools, not custom headers. Option E is wrong because CloudFront is a CDN, not a security service.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SAP-C02 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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