- A
Integrate with HashiCorp Vault to dynamically generate credentials for each deployment
Vault can generate short-lived credentials and rotate them automatically, meeting the rotation requirement.
- B
Set the credentials as environment variables in the Jenkins pipeline and generate a new set every month manually
Why wrong: Manual rotation is error-prone and does not scale; also, environment variables can leak.
- C
Store the credentials in Jenkins credentials store and reference them in the pipeline
Why wrong: Jenkins credentials store does not rotate secrets; it only stores them encrypted.
- D
Store the credentials in a Kubernetes ConfigMap and update it every 30 days
Why wrong: ConfigMaps are not secure for secrets and do not enforce rotation; they require manual updates.
200-901 Application Deployment and Security Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of application deployment and security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 developer is deploying a Python web application on Cisco UCS servers using a CI/CD pipeline that runs on Jenkins. The application uses a PostgreSQL database. The security team mandates that all database credentials must be rotated every 30 days. Currently, credentials are stored as plaintext in a configuration file in the application repository. Which approach should the developer take to meet the rotation requirement without storing secrets in the repository?
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
Integrate with HashiCorp Vault to dynamically generate credentials for each deployment
Integrating with HashiCorp Vault allows the CI/CD pipeline to dynamically generate short-lived database credentials for each deployment, eliminating the need to store secrets in the repository. Vault can be configured to automatically rotate credentials every 30 days (or less) and inject them into the application at runtime via sidecar containers or API calls, meeting the security mandate without manual intervention.
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.
- ✓
Integrate with HashiCorp Vault to dynamically generate credentials for each deployment
Why this is correct
Vault can generate short-lived credentials and rotate them automatically, meeting the rotation requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set the credentials as environment variables in the Jenkins pipeline and generate a new set every month manually
Why it's wrong here
Manual rotation is error-prone and does not scale; also, environment variables can leak.
- ✗
Store the credentials in Jenkins credentials store and reference them in the pipeline
Why it's wrong here
Jenkins credentials store does not rotate secrets; it only stores them encrypted.
- ✗
Store the credentials in a Kubernetes ConfigMap and update it every 30 days
Why it's wrong here
ConfigMaps are not secure for secrets and do not enforce rotation; they require manual updates.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between static secret storage (e.g., Jenkins credentials store or ConfigMaps) and dynamic secret generation (e.g., Vault), where the key requirement is automatic rotation without manual intervention.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HashiCorp Vault's database secrets engine can generate unique, time-bound credentials for PostgreSQL using dynamic roles, which are automatically revoked after a configurable TTL (e.g., 30 days). The Jenkins pipeline can authenticate to Vault using an AppRole or Kubernetes auth method, retrieve the credentials at deploy time, and inject them as environment variables or files without ever persisting them in the repository or pipeline configuration. This approach also supports audit logging and fine-grained access control, which is critical for compliance in enterprise environments.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Application Deployment and Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Application Deployment and Security — This question tests Application Deployment and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Integrate with HashiCorp Vault to dynamically generate credentials for each deployment — Integrating with HashiCorp Vault allows the CI/CD pipeline to dynamically generate short-lived database credentials for each deployment, eliminating the need to store secrets in the repository. Vault can be configured to automatically rotate credentials every 30 days (or less) and inject them into the application at runtime via sidecar containers or API calls, meeting the security mandate without manual intervention.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 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 24, 2026
This 200-901 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 200-901 exam.
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