The correct answer is to configure the ALB with an HTTPS listener and use HTTPS as the protocol for the target group. This works because the HTTPS listener on the ALB terminates the initial TLS connection from the client, and then the load balancer can re-encrypt traffic to the targets using a second TLS handshake, ensuring end-to-end encryption in transit between ALB and targets. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of listener and target group protocol interactions, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a common trap is assuming that an HTTPS listener alone encrypts traffic to the backend—it does not unless the target group also uses HTTPS. Remember, the listener handles client-facing encryption, while the target group protocol controls backend encryption. A simple memory tip: “Listener locks the front door, target group locks the back door—both must be HTTPS for a fully encrypted path.”
SCS-C02 Data Protection Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of data protection. 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 wants to encrypt data in transit between an Application Load Balancer (ALB) and its targets. Which configuration should be used?
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 with an HTTPS listener and use HTTPS as the protocol for the target group.
Option B is correct because HTTPS listeners on the ALB can terminate TLS and optionally re-encrypt traffic to targets using HTTPS. Option A is wrong because HTTP does not encrypt data. Option C is wrong because TCP listeners do not provide encryption. Option D is wrong because the security group does not control encryption.
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 ALB with a TCP listener and use Network Load Balancer.
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 SCS-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Data Protection — This question tests Data Protection — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the ALB with an HTTPS listener and use HTTPS as the protocol for the target group. — Option B is correct because HTTPS listeners on the ALB can terminate TLS and optionally re-encrypt traffic to targets using HTTPS. Option A is wrong because HTTP does not encrypt data. Option C is wrong because TCP listeners do not provide encryption. Option D is wrong because the security group does not control encryption.
What should I do if I get this SCS-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 SCS-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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Question Discussion
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