The correct step is to configure the ALB listener to use HTTPS on port 443 with an SSL certificate. This directly enables data in transit encryption between clients and the load balancer by establishing a TLS handshake, ensuring that all traffic is encrypted before reaching the ALB. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of where encryption boundaries apply in a multi-tier architecture—a common trap is confusing security group rules (which control access, not encryption) or assuming encryption at the target group alone satisfies client-to-ALB requirements. The exam often presents options that mix up listener protocols, target group protocols, and security group settings, so remember that for data in transit from clients, the ALB listener is the enforcement point. Memory tip: "Listen on 443, encrypt the first hop."
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new 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 is designing a new application that processes sensitive healthcare data. The application runs on Amazon ECS with Fargate and uses an Application Load Balancer. The company must ensure that all data in transit is encrypted. Which step 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 ALB listener to use HTTPS (port 443) with an SSL certificate.
Option A is correct. A listener on port 443 with an SSL certificate encrypts traffic between clients and the ALB. Option B is wrong because the security group does not encrypt traffic. Option C is wrong because HTTPS is needed at the ALB. Option D is wrong because the target group protocol should be HTTPS if encryption is required end-to-end, but the question asks for data in transit from clients.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 target group to use HTTP protocol.
Why it's wrong here
Target group protocol does not affect client-to-ALB encryption.
✗
Configure the security group to only allow inbound traffic from approved IPs.
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the ALB listener to use HTTPS (port 443) with an SSL certificate. — Option A is correct. A listener on port 443 with an SSL certificate encrypts traffic between clients and the ALB. Option B is wrong because the security group does not encrypt traffic. Option C is wrong because HTTPS is needed at the ALB. Option D is wrong because the target group protocol should be HTTPS if encryption is required end-to-end, but the question asks for data in transit from clients.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SAP-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This SAP-C02 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 SAP-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.