- A
Configure a listener on port 443 with an SSL certificate from AWS Certificate Manager.
Correct. Configuring a listener on port 443 with an SSL certificate from AWS Certificate Manager enables TLS encryption, securing traffic between the client and the ALB.
- B
Use a security group that only allows HTTPS traffic from the client's IP.
Correct. Restricting traffic to HTTPS only via a security group ensures that any traffic must be encrypted, thus securing the communication.
- C
Set up an IPsec VPN connection between the client and the ALB.
Why wrong: Incorrect. An ALB does not terminate IPsec VPN connections; it uses TLS for encryption.
- D
Configure a network ACL to allow only port 443.
Why wrong: Incorrect. A network ACL controls traffic at the subnet level but does not provide encryption.
- E
Enable the ALB's built-in SSL/TLS encryption without a certificate.
Why wrong: Incorrect. SSL/TLS encryption requires a valid certificate; it cannot be enabled without one.
SOA-C02 TLS/SSL Encryption Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of networking and content delivery. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: tLS/SSL Encryption. 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.
Which TWO are valid methods to secure traffic between a client and an Application Load Balancer?
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
Configure a listener on port 443 with an SSL certificate from AWS Certificate Manager.
Option A is correct: configuring a listener on port 443 with an SSL certificate from ACM enables TLS encryption between the client and the ALB. Option B is also correct: using a security group that only allows HTTPS traffic enforces that all traffic must be encrypted, securing the communication by blocking unencrypted HTTP traffic. Options C, D, and E are incorrect: IPsec VPN is not terminated on an ALB (C), network ACLs do not provide encryption (D), and SSL/TLS encryption requires a valid certificate (E).
Key principle: TLS/SSL Encryption
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 a listener on port 443 with an SSL certificate from AWS Certificate Manager.
- ✓
Use a security group that only allows HTTPS traffic from the client's IP.
- ✗
Set up an IPsec VPN connection between the client and the ALB.
- ✗
Configure a network ACL to allow only port 443.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A network ACL controls traffic at the subnet level but does not provide encryption.
- ✗
Enable the ALB's built-in SSL/TLS encryption without a certificate.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. SSL/TLS encryption requires a valid certificate; it cannot be enabled without one.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is that candidates often think only option A (SSL termination) secures traffic, but using a security group to allow only HTTPS (option B) also ensures encryption by blocking unencrypted traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When you configure an HTTPS listener on an ALB, the load balancer terminates the TLS connection using the certificate you provide, then forwards the decrypted traffic to the targets over HTTP or HTTPS. The ALB supports multiple TLS versions (TLS 1.2 and 1.3) and cipher suites, and you can enforce security policies to restrict weaker ciphers. In a real-world scenario, you might use ACM to automatically renew certificates, ensuring uninterrupted encrypted traffic without manual intervention.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- TLS/SSL Encryption
- Security Groups
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
TLS/SSL Encryption
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.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review tLS/SSL Encryption, then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Networking and Content Delivery — This question tests Networking and Content Delivery — TLS/SSL Encryption.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure a listener on port 443 with an SSL certificate from AWS Certificate Manager. — Option A is correct: configuring a listener on port 443 with an SSL certificate from ACM enables TLS encryption between the client and the ALB. Option B is also correct: using a security group that only allows HTTPS traffic enforces that all traffic must be encrypted, securing the communication by blocking unencrypted HTTP traffic. Options C, D, and E are incorrect: IPsec VPN is not terminated on an ALB (C), network ACLs do not provide encryption (D), and SSL/TLS encryption requires a valid certificate (E).
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review tLS/SSL Encryption, then practise related SOA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
TLS/SSL Encryption
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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