The answer is to configure the Application Load Balancer with an HTTPS listener and ensure the EC2 instances are part of a target group that uses HTTPS. This is correct because the ALB handles SSL termination at the listener level, decrypting the client’s HTTPS request and then re-encrypting traffic to the backend instances when the target group protocol is set to HTTPS, ensuring end-to-end encryption in transit between ALB and EC2. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to encrypt traffic in transit between ALB and EC2, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose an HTTP listener or assume CloudFront or NLB handles backend encryption. A common pitfall is forgetting that the ALB can re-encrypt to the target group, not just terminate SSL. Memory tip: “HTTPS in, HTTPS out” — the listener and target group protocol must both be HTTPS for full transit encryption.
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 will run on Amazon EC2 instances behind an Application Load Balancer. The company wants to ensure that traffic to the application is encrypted in transit. Which TWO actions should the company take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install an SSL/TLS certificate on the Application Load Balancer.
Options A and D are correct. The ALB handles SSL termination, and HTTPS listener ensures encryption. Option B is wrong because HTTP allows unencrypted traffic. Option C is wrong because CloudFront does not ensure encryption between ALB and EC2. Option E is wrong because an NLB does not support SSL termination natively.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 Application Load Balancer with an HTTP listener that redirects to HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
Redirect is acceptable but the question asks for encryption; HTTP listener itself is not encrypted.
✗
Use a Network Load Balancer with TCP listener.
Why it's wrong here
NLB with TCP does not provide encryption; SSL termination is handled at the instance level.
✗
Place an Amazon CloudFront distribution in front of the ALB.
Why it's wrong here
CloudFront adds encryption at the edge but does not ensure encryption between ALB and EC2.
✓
Install an SSL/TLS certificate on the Application Load Balancer.
Why this is correct
SSL/TLS certificate is required for HTTPS termination.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Configure the Application Load Balancer with an HTTPS listener.
Why this is correct
HTTPS listener ensures traffic to the ALB is encrypted.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install an SSL/TLS certificate on the Application Load Balancer. — Options A and D are correct. The ALB handles SSL termination, and HTTPS listener ensures encryption. Option B is wrong because HTTP allows unencrypted traffic. Option C is wrong because CloudFront does not ensure encryption between ALB and EC2. Option E is wrong because an NLB does not support SSL termination natively.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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