The correct answer is to implement security groups, network ACLs, and VPC Flow Logs. Security groups act as a stateful virtual firewall at the instance level, controlling inbound and outbound traffic based on allow rules only, while network ACLs provide a stateless, additional layer of security at the subnet level, allowing you to explicitly deny traffic. VPC Flow Logs capture IP traffic metadata, enabling you to monitor and troubleshoot connectivity and security issues. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of a defense-in-depth strategy for a secure VPC design for web applications, often appearing as a multi-select scenario where you must distinguish between mandatory security controls and optional or insecure configurations. A common trap is assuming public subnets are required for web apps or that the default VPC is secure. Remember the mnemonic: SNF – Security groups, NACLs, Flow Logs – for a layered, auditable perimeter.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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.
A SysOps administrator is designing a VPC for a web application that must be secure. Which THREE security measures should the administrator implement? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure network ACLs to filter traffic at the subnet level.
Option A is correct because security groups act as virtual firewalls. Option C is correct because NACLs provide an additional layer of security at the subnet level. Option E is correct because VPC Flow Logs help monitor traffic. Option B is wrong because public subnets are not required for web applications. Option D is wrong because default VPC may not be secure.
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.
✓
Configure network ACLs to filter traffic at the subnet level.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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 SOA-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure network ACLs to filter traffic at the subnet level. — Option A is correct because security groups act as virtual firewalls. Option C is correct because NACLs provide an additional layer of security at the subnet level. Option E is correct because VPC Flow Logs help monitor traffic. Option B is wrong because public subnets are not required for web applications. Option D is wrong because default VPC may not be secure.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 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 SOA-C02 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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