The correct answer is to configure the target group to use the HTTPS protocol and install SSL/TLS certificates on the EC2 instances. This ensures that the Application Load Balancer encrypts all backend traffic between itself and the instances by establishing a TLS handshake for every request, rather than sending data in plaintext over HTTP. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the difference between client-facing encryption (configured on the listener) and backend encryption (configured on the target group). A common trap is confusing the listener’s HTTPS setting with the target group’s protocol—remember, the listener secures traffic from the client, while the target group secures traffic to the backend. To recall this, use the mnemonic: “Listener for the client, Target for the backend.”
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 company uses an Application Load Balancer (ALB) to distribute traffic to EC2 instances. The security team wants to ensure that all traffic between the ALB and the instances is encrypted. Which configuration step is required?
Configure the ALB listener to use HTTPS with a security policy.
Why wrong: This encrypts client-to-ALB traffic, but does not affect ALB-to-instance traffic.
B
Configure the target group to use HTTPS protocol and install SSL/TLS certificates on the instances.
This ensures traffic from ALB to instances is encrypted over HTTPS.
C
Place the instances in a private subnet and use a NAT gateway for outbound traffic.
Why wrong: This does not affect encryption between ALB and instances.
D
Create a security group rule that allows only HTTPS traffic from the ALB to the instances.
Why wrong: Security groups control allowed traffic types but do not enforce encryption; traffic could still be sent over HTTP if the application listens on HTTP.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the target group to use HTTPS protocol and install SSL/TLS certificates on the instances.
Option B is correct because configuring the target group with HTTPS health checks and expecting HTTPS traffic ensures that the ALB communicates with the instances over HTTPS. Option A is wrong because the listener handles client-facing encryption, not backend. Option C is wrong because security groups control access but not encryption. Option D is wrong because the ALB does not have a NATgateway.
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 the ALB listener to use HTTPS with a security policy.
Why it's wrong here
This encrypts client-to-ALB traffic, but does not affect ALB-to-instance traffic.
✓
Configure the target group to use HTTPS protocol and install SSL/TLS certificates on the instances.
Why this is correct
This ensures traffic from ALB to instances is encrypted over HTTPS.
Place the instances in a private subnet and use a NAT gateway for outbound traffic.
Why it's wrong here
This does not affect encryption between ALB and instances.
✗
Create a security group rule that allows only HTTPS traffic from the ALB to the instances.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups control allowed traffic types but do not enforce encryption; traffic could still be sent over HTTP if the application listens on HTTP.
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 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 the target group to use HTTPS protocol and install SSL/TLS certificates on the instances. — Option B is correct because configuring the target group with HTTPS health checks and expecting HTTPS traffic ensures that the ALB communicates with the instances over HTTPS. Option A is wrong because the listener handles client-facing encryption, not backend. Option C is wrong because security groups control access but not encryption. Option D is wrong because the ALB does not have a NAT gateway.
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.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company has a fleet of EC2 instances in an Auto Scaling group behind an Application Load Balancer. The security team requires that all traffic to the instances be encrypted in transit. Currently, the ALB terminates HTTPS and forwards HTTP to the instances. The security team wants to ensure that the traffic between the ALB and the instances is also encrypted. What should the SysOps administrator do to meet this requirement with minimal changes?
easy
A.Replace the ALB with a Network Load Balancer and use TLS termination on the instances.
B.Place a CloudFront distribution in front of the ALB and use HTTPS for all origins.
C.Set up a VPN connection between the ALB and the instances.
✓ D.Change the ALB listener to use HTTPS and configure the target group to use HTTPS with a self-signed certificate on the instances.
Why D: Option B is correct because you can create a TLS listener on the ALB that targets a target group using HTTPS. Option A is wrong because NLB does not support HTTPS health checks? Actually, NLB can handle TLS, but it requires more configuration. Option C is wrong because CloudFront adds complexity. Option D is wrong because VPN is not needed.
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This SOA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SOA-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
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