The correct answer is to configure CloudFront to require HTTPS for viewer requests and to configure the S3 bucket policy to only allow HTTPS access. This dual configuration ensures end-to-end encryption in transit for a static website served through CloudFront, as HTTPS encrypts data between viewers and CloudFront, while the S3 bucket policy enforces encrypted communication between CloudFront and the origin. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of securing content delivery at every hop, often appearing as a distractor where candidates mistakenly choose S3 Transfer Acceleration or default encryption—remember, Transfer Acceleration optimizes speed, not encryption, and default S3 encryption protects data at rest, not in transit. A common trap is assuming CloudFront signed URLs provide encryption, but they only control access. Memory tip: think “two hops, two HTTPS” to ensure both viewer-to-CloudFront and CloudFront-to-S3 legs are encrypted.
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 static website hosted on Amazon S3. They want to use Amazon CloudFront as a content delivery network (CDN) to serve the website globally with low latency. The website content must be encrypted in transit. Which configurations should they use? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the S3 bucket policy to deny requests that do not use HTTPS.
Options A and C are correct. Configuring CloudFront to require HTTPS (A) ensures encryption in transit between viewers and CloudFront. Configuring S3 bucket to only allow HTTPS (C) ensures encryption between CloudFront and S3. Option B is wrong because S3 Transfer Acceleration is for speed, not encryption. Option D is wrong because S3 default encryption is for at-rest, not in transit. Option E is wrong because CloudFront signed URLs are for access control, not encryption.
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.
✗
Enable default encryption on the S3 bucket using AES-256.
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption is for data at rest, not in transit.
✗
Enable S3 Transfer Acceleration on the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Transfer Acceleration speeds up uploads, not encryption.
✓
Configure the S3 bucket policy to deny requests that do not use HTTPS.
Why this is correct
This ensures CloudFront uses HTTPS to fetch objects from S3.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✓
Configure CloudFront to require HTTPS for viewer requests.
Why this is correct
HTTPS encrypts data between viewer and CloudFront.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Use CloudFront signed URLs to restrict access.
Why it's wrong here
Signed URLs control access, not encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
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 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 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 S3 bucket policy to deny requests that do not use HTTPS. — Options A and C are correct. Configuring CloudFront to require HTTPS (A) ensures encryption in transit between viewers and CloudFront. Configuring S3 bucket to only allow HTTPS (C) ensures encryption between CloudFront and S3. Option B is wrong because S3 Transfer Acceleration is for speed, not encryption. Option D is wrong because S3 default encryption is for at-rest, not in transit. Option E is wrong because CloudFront signed URLs are for access control, not encryption.
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.
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Question Discussion
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