AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty Practice Exam

What network configuration usually helps in managing incoming requests effectively?

1. Allowing all traffic over every port

2. Implementing strict NACLs and secure security groups

3. Using public IP addresses exclusively

4. Excluding all client IP addresses

The correct answer is: Implementing strict NACLs and secure security groups

Implementing strict Network Access Control Lists (NACLs) and secure security groups is a best practice for managing incoming requests effectively. NACLs and security groups act as virtual firewalls that control the traffic entering and leaving your resources in AWS. By defining strict rules that allow or deny specific types of traffic based on protocols, ports, and IP addresses, you can enhance the security posture of your environment. This selective access controls who can reach your resources, thus preventing unauthorized access and reducing exposure to potential threats. Moreover, NACLs operate at the subnet level while security groups function at the instance level, offering layered security. This configuration allows for granular control of incoming and outgoing requests, ensuring that only legitimate traffic is processed while potentially malicious traffic is blocked. By managing incoming requests effectively, you can optimize the performance and security of your network, leading to a more robust and resilient architecture. Other configurations presented, such as allowing all traffic over every port or using public IP addresses exclusively, would typically create significant security vulnerabilities. Similarly, excluding all client IP addresses would hinder legitimate access and operational efficiency, fundamentally undermining the purpose of a well-functioning network configuration.