- A
Hardcoding the credentials in the ConfigMap
Why wrong: Incorrect. ConfigMap is for non-sensitive data; hardcoding is a bad practice.
- B
Using a sidecar container to fetch secrets via API
Why wrong: Incorrect. This is complex and still may expose via env if not careful.
- C
Using envFrom with secretRef
Why wrong: Incorrect. Environment variables can leak in logs or process listings.
- D
Using a volume mount with a secret volume
Correct. Mounting as files avoids exposing values in environment.
Question 329 of 1,000
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 Kubernetes cluster runs a microservice that needs to read configuration values from a ConfigMap and sensitive database credentials from a Secret. The pod manifest references both resources. How should the Secret be mounted to avoid exposing sensitive data in logs or environment variables?
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
✓
Using a volume mount with a secret volume
Option D is correct because mounting a Secret as a volume stores the data in the tmpfs (RAM-backed filesystem) of the pod, which is not written to disk and is not exposed via environment variables that could be logged or printed by the application. This approach prevents accidental leakage of sensitive data through log outputs or environment variable dumps, as the application must explicitly read the file from the mount point.
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.
- ✗
Hardcoding the credentials in the ConfigMap
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. ConfigMap is for non-sensitive data; hardcoding is a bad practice.
- ✗
Using a sidecar container to fetch secrets via API
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This is complex and still may expose via env if not careful.
- ✗
Using envFrom with secretRef
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Environment variables can leak in logs or process listings.
- ✓
Using a volume mount with a secret volume
Why this is correct
Correct. Mounting as files avoids exposing values in environment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between environment variable injection and volume mounts for Secrets, trapping candidates who assume envFrom is secure because it avoids file I/O, when in fact it exposes secrets to logging and debugging tools.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a Secret is mounted as a volume, Kubernetes creates a tmpfs volume backed by the node's memory, ensuring the data is never written to disk and is automatically deleted when the pod terminates. The secret data is exposed as files with permissions set to 0644 by default, but the pod's security context can restrict access to specific users or groups. In real-world scenarios, this method is preferred for compliance with standards like PCI-DSS, which require that sensitive data not be stored in persistent storage or accessible via environment variables that could be captured in logs.
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 practitioner preparing for the 200-901 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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: Using a volume mount with a secret volume — Option D is correct because mounting a Secret as a volume stores the data in the tmpfs (RAM-backed filesystem) of the pod, which is not written to disk and is not exposed via environment variables that could be logged or printed by the application. This approach prevents accidental leakage of sensitive data through log outputs or environment variable dumps, as the application must explicitly read the file from the mount point.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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