- A
Configure the security group to allow only HTTPS traffic (port 443).
Why wrong: Incorrect. Blocking port 80 at the security group level will drop HTTP requests but not redirect them; clients will see connection failures.
- B
Create a listener that redirects HTTP requests (port 80) to HTTPS (port 443).
Correct. An ALB listener rule can redirect HTTP to HTTPS, ensuring clients use encrypted connections.
- C
Use AWS WAF to block HTTP requests.
Why wrong: Incorrect. WAF can block HTTP requests but does not redirect; it also adds complexity and cost.
- D
Configure the ALB to use a custom SSL certificate.
Why wrong: Incorrect. A custom SSL certificate enables HTTPS but does not enforce it; HTTP traffic would still be accepted if the listener is configured for HTTP.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create a listener that redirects HTTP requests on port 80 to HTTPS on port 443. This works because the Application Load Balancer natively supports a redirect action within its listener rules, allowing it to automatically forward any unencrypted traffic to the secure HTTPS protocol without needing additional services like CloudFront or a separate web server. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of ALB listener configuration and the distinction between redirecting traffic at the load balancer level versus enforcing encryption at the target group or instance level. A common trap is assuming you need to modify security groups or use a reverse proxy, but the ALB’s built-in redirect action is the simplest and most direct method. Memory tip: think “80 to 443” as the ALB’s automatic bouncer—any HTTP visitor gets politely sent to the HTTPS door.
SOA-C02 Security and Compliance Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security and compliance. 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 SysOps administrator needs to ensure that all traffic to an Application Load Balancer (ALB) uses encryption. How can this be enforced?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a listener that redirects HTTP requests (port 80) to HTTPS (port 443).
Option B is correct because an Application Load Balancer can be configured with a listener rule that redirects incoming HTTP (port 80) requests to HTTPS (port 443). This ensures that all traffic to the ALB is encrypted in transit, as any unencrypted HTTP request is automatically redirected to the secure HTTPS protocol. The redirect action is a native ALB feature and does not require additional services or complex configurations.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 security group to allow only HTTPS traffic (port 443).
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Blocking port 80 at the security group level will drop HTTP requests but not redirect them; clients will see connection failures.
- ✓
Create a listener that redirects HTTP requests (port 80) to HTTPS (port 443).
Why this is correct
Correct. An ALB listener rule can redirect HTTP to HTTPS, ensuring clients use encrypted connections.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS WAF to block HTTP requests.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. WAF can block HTTP requests but does not redirect; it also adds complexity and cost.
- ✗
Configure the ALB to use a custom SSL certificate.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse security group rules with application-layer behavior, mistakenly believing that restricting the security group to port 443 alone will enforce encryption, when in fact it only controls network access and does not prevent unencrypted traffic on that port.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The ALB listener redirect action uses an HTTP 301 or 302 redirect status code to instruct the client to resend the request over HTTPS. Under the hood, the ALB evaluates the listener rules in order; when a rule with a redirect action matches an HTTP request, it returns the redirect response without forwarding the request to a target group. This mechanism is defined in the ALB's listener configuration and can be set to preserve the original host, path, and query parameters, ensuring a seamless user experience. In a real-world scenario, this is critical for compliance with security standards like PCI DSS that require encryption of data in transit.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Security and Compliance — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Security and Compliance — This question tests Security and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a listener that redirects HTTP requests (port 80) to HTTPS (port 443). — Option B is correct because an Application Load Balancer can be configured with a listener rule that redirects incoming HTTP (port 80) requests to HTTPS (port 443). This ensures that all traffic to the ALB is encrypted in transit, as any unencrypted HTTP request is automatically redirected to the secure HTTPS protocol. The redirect action is a native ALB feature and does not require additional services or complex configurations.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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