The answer is to implement SSL/TLS certificates for the connection and restrict security group rules to allow traffic only from the application tier. This combination works because SSL/TLS provides the actual encryption for data in transit between the SAP application and database tiers, while tightly scoped security group rules ensure that only the necessary ports and source IPs are permitted, reducing the attack surface. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to secure inter-tier traffic within a VPC without relying on network-level constructs that do not encrypt. A common trap is confusing stateless NACLs with stateful security groups—NACLs do not encrypt traffic, and neither do VPC Peering or Internet Gateways. Remember the memory tip: “Encrypt with TLS, restrict with SG” to quickly recall that encryption comes from the application layer, not the network layer.
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. 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.
An SAP system is deployed on EC2 instances in a VPC. The security team requires that all traffic between the SAP application and database tiers must be encrypted in transit. Which TWO actions should be taken to meet this requirement? (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 SSL/TLS certificates on the database and application servers
Options A and D are correct: an SSL/TLS certificate enables encryption, and security group rules should restrict traffic to only necessary ports. Option B is incorrect because NACLs are stateless and do not encrypt traffic. Option C is incorrect because VPC Peering does not encrypt traffic by itself. Option E is incorrect because Internet Gateway is for internet traffic.
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.
Create a VPC Peering connection between the subnets
Why it's wrong here
VPC Peering does not encrypt traffic.
✗
Use network ACLs to allow only database traffic
Why it's wrong here
NACLs are for access control, not encryption.
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 PAS-C01 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Technology — This question tests Technology — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure SSL/TLS certificates on the database and application servers — Options A and D are correct: an SSL/TLS certificate enables encryption, and security group rules should restrict traffic to only necessary ports. Option B is incorrect because NACLs are stateless and do not encrypt traffic. Option C is incorrect because VPC Peering does not encrypt traffic by itself. Option E is incorrect because Internet Gateway is for internet traffic.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 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 PAS-C01 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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Question Discussion
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