- A
Replace the third-party search module with a custom-developed one.
Why wrong: Custom development may still introduce vulnerabilities if not done securely; the root cause is lack of security review, not the module itself.
- B
Establish a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) that includes security reviews for all third-party components.
An SSDLC integrates security into every phase of development, preventing vulnerabilities from being introduced in the first place.
- C
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with OWASP rules.
Why wrong: A WAF can block SQLi attacks but is a compensating control; it does not address the insecure coding practice.
- D
Conduct regular vulnerability scans and patch management.
Why wrong: Vulnerability scans would have detected the SQL injection but are reactive; they don't prevent insecure code from being deployed.
Quick Answer
The answer is establishing a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) that includes security reviews for all third-party components. This is the most effective long-term solution because the root cause was not a lack of parameterized queries or prepared statements—the company already used those—but a process failure: the third-party search module concatenated user input directly into SQL queries, bypassing the existing SQL injection prevention controls. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding that security must be embedded in the development process, not just applied as a patch; the common trap is choosing a technical fix like input validation, which only treats the symptom. Remember the memory tip: “Process over patch—SSDLC catches the gap that code alone can’t wrap.”
200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 large e-commerce company experiences a data breach where customer credit card numbers are stolen. The investigation reveals that an attacker exploited a SQL injection vulnerability in the web application to extract the data from the database. The company's web development team claims they use parameterized queries and prepared statements. However, the forensic analysis shows that the injection occurred through a search functionality that concatenates user input directly into the SQL query. The application logs indicate that the search function was developed by a third-party vendor and integrated into the application six months ago. The company wants to prevent such incidents in the future. Which of the following is the most effective long-term solution?
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
Establish a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) that includes security reviews for all third-party components.
Option B is correct because the root cause is a failure in the security review process for third-party components. Even though the company uses parameterized queries elsewhere, the third-party search module concatenates user input directly into SQL queries, bypassing that protection. Establishing an SSDLC with mandatory security reviews for all third-party components ensures that such vulnerabilities are caught before integration, addressing the process gap rather than just the symptom.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the third-party search module with a custom-developed one.
Why it's wrong here
Custom development may still introduce vulnerabilities if not done securely; the root cause is lack of security review, not the module itself.
- ✓
Establish a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) that includes security reviews for all third-party components.
Why this is correct
An SSDLC integrates security into every phase of development, preventing vulnerabilities from being introduced in the first place.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with OWASP rules.
Why it's wrong here
A WAF can block SQLi attacks but is a compensating control; it does not address the insecure coding practice.
- ✗
Conduct regular vulnerability scans and patch management.
Why it's wrong here
Vulnerability scans would have detected the SQL injection but are reactive; they don't prevent insecure code from being deployed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between reactive controls (WAF, patching) and proactive process improvements (SSDLC), leading candidates to choose a technical fix like a WAF instead of addressing the root cause of insecure third-party code integration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SQL injection occurs when user input is concatenated into a SQL statement without proper escaping or parameterization. Parameterized queries (prepared statements) separate SQL logic from data by using placeholders, preventing the input from being interpreted as SQL syntax. In this case, the third-party search module likely uses string concatenation like "SELECT * FROM products WHERE name = '" + userInput + "'", which allows an attacker to inject a single quote and append malicious SQL (e.g., ' OR 1=1 --). A secure SDLC would enforce code reviews and static analysis (SAST) to detect such patterns before deployment.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Establish a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) that includes security reviews for all third-party components. — Option B is correct because the root cause is a failure in the security review process for third-party components. Even though the company uses parameterized queries elsewhere, the third-party search module concatenates user input directly into SQL queries, bypassing that protection. Establishing an SSDLC with mandatory security reviews for all third-party components ensures that such vulnerabilities are caught before integration, addressing the process gap rather than just the symptom.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 200-201 exam.
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