20+ practice questions focused on Application Security Design — one of the most tested topics on the Cisco Designing Cisco Security Infrastructure (SDSI, 300-745, CCNP Security, design-focused) (SDSI) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation so you learn why the right answer is correct.
Start Application Security Design PracticeWhen designing microsegmentation within Cisco Secure Workload for a hybrid environment, which TWO components are essential for enforcing traffic policies between on-premises servers and cloud-native instances? (Choose TWO)
Explanation: Option B, Cisco Secure Workload software agents, is correct because these agents are installed on the workloads (both on-premises servers and cloud-native instances) and are the enforcement point that applies the microsegmentation policy—label-based allow/deny rules—directly at the host, including in hybrid deployments. Option D, cloud-native traffic telemetry integration, is correct because Cisco Secure Workload relies on flow and telemetry data from cloud environments (for example, via cloud connectors/VPC flow logs and cloud APIs) to discover dependencies, build accurate policy, and maintain visibility across the hybrid estate where agents alone cannot see all inter-instance traffic. Option A, Cisco Firepower Management Center, is not required because FMC manages NGFW/IPS appliances and is not the enforcement or telemetry mechanism for Secure Workload's host-based microsegmentation. Option C, Cisco Umbrella virtual appliance, is not required because Umbrella provides DNS-layer security and secure web gateway functions, not workload microsegmentation policy enforcement. Option E, Cisco Identity Services Engine, is not required because ISE handles network access control and identity-based segmentation for users/devices, not workload-to-workload policy enforcement in Secure Workload.
An organization is deploying an API that returns user financial records. Which security design pattern should be used to ensure that a user can only access their own records?
Explanation: BOLA (Broken Object Level Authorization) is OWASP API Security Top 10 #1 and occurs when an API fails to verify that the requesting user actually owns or is authorized to access the specific object ID in the request. Implementing BOLA checks in application logic — validating that the authenticated user's identity matches the resource owner before returning data — is the correct pattern to ensure users only access their own financial records.
You are designing microsegmentation for a Kubernetes cluster using Cisco Tetration (Secure Workload). You need to ensure that only authorized pods can communicate with a specific backend database service. Which architectural component should be enforced to achieve zero-trust segmentation at the application layer?
Explanation: Cisco Secure Workload (Tetration) enforces zero-trust microsegmentation by using software agents on hosts/pods that identify workloads via process, labels, and other metadata, then apply policy at the application layer regardless of IP. A service-level policy based on process and label identity ensures only authorized pods can reach the backend database, aligning with zero-trust principles. This is the architectural component that provides identity-based segmentation inside Kubernetes.
A client is deploying a serverless application on AWS and needs to secure the API interactions with Cisco Umbrella. Which design pattern effectively protects the API endpoints from malicious exfiltration without introducing significant latency?
Explanation: Using Cisco Umbrella's API or DNS-layer security to filter requests at the outbound proxy level protects serverless API interactions without adding significant latency, because DNS resolution happens before any outbound connection and Umbrella blocks malicious domains at that point. This cloud-delivered model requires no inline appliance in the serverless execution path, preserving the low-latency, event-driven nature of AWS Lambda.
Which Cisco solution is primarily designed to provide visibility and control over SaaS application usage within an enterprise, specifically focusing on data loss prevention and threat detection?
Explanation: Cisco Cloudlock is Cisco's Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solution, purpose-built to give enterprises visibility and control over SaaS application usage. It discovers sanctioned and unsanctioned cloud apps, enforces DLP policies on data moving to/from SaaS, and detects threats like compromised accounts and insider misuse. This aligns exactly with the question's focus on SaaS visibility, DLP, and threat detection.
+15 more Application Security Design questions available
Practice all Application Security Design questions1. Baseline your knowledge
Start with 10 questions to gauge your current understanding of Application Security Design. This tells you whether you need a concept refresher or just practice.
2. Review every explanation
For each question — right or wrong — read the full explanation. Understanding why an answer is correct is more valuable than knowing the answer itself.
3. Focus on exam traps
Application Security Design questions on the SDSI frequently use trap wording. Look for subtle differences in answers that test your precision, not just general knowledge.
4. Reach 80% consistently
Do repeated sessions until you score 80%+ three times in a row. Then move to mixed-mode practice to test cross-topic recall under realistic conditions.
The exact number varies per candidate. Application Security Design is tested as part of the Cisco Designing Cisco Security Infrastructure (SDSI, 300-745, CCNP Security, design-focused) (SDSI) blueprint. Practicing with targeted Application Security Design questions ensures you can handle any format or difficulty that appears.
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Difficulty is subjective, but Application Security Design is a high-priority exam concept tested in multiple ways — direct recall, scenario analysis, and command-output interpretation. Consistent practice is the best way to build confidence.
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