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Using an ALB behind Amazon CloudFront and Using a Custom HTTP Header to Control Access

In this hands-on lab you will work on implementing a more secure web application architecture by leveraging the following AWS services to further restrict public access: Amazon CloudFront, Application Load Balancer (ALB), and Amazon EC2. You will work with the above services in order to implement a new CDN in front of an internet-facing ALB to improve performance. You will also leverage the ability to pass custom headers to the origin server (the ALB) to restrict access to the hosted web application. The ALB will only allow traffic that contains the secret HTTP header value, which allows you to drop all traffic that is sent directly to the ALB itself.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Advanced
Duration
Clock icon 45m
Last updated
Clock icon Sep 03, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Create the CloudFront Distribution

    Create a new CloudFront distribution, using the existing Application Load Balancer (ALB) as the origin server.

    Once the distribution is deployed, test that you can access the web application through it.

  2. Challenge

    Update the CloudFront Distribution to Contain the HTTP Header

    After verified to be working, you now need to edit the distribution to add a custom header to all origin server calls. Below is the information:

    • Header Name: x-Custom-Header
    • Header Value: random string of your choice

    NOTE: Be sure to copy the Header Value for later

  3. Challenge

    Update the ALB Listener Rules

    Add a new rule to the ALB listener to restrict access to calls that only contain the X-Custom-Secret HTTP header with the correct header value that you set previously.

    Ensure this rule is processed first!

Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
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Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.
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