- A
Store secrets in a .env file and add it to the repository with restricted access.
Why wrong: Storing secrets in version control is a security risk even with restricted access; the file may be leaked.
- B
Encrypt the environment variables using a tool like openssl and store the key elsewhere.
Why wrong: Encrypting environment variables still requires managing decryption keys and does not eliminate exposure in logs or process listings.
- C
Use a dedicated secrets management service like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager and retrieve secrets at runtime.
Secrets managers provide secure storage, rotation, and audit capabilities, preventing exposure in plaintext.
- D
Remove the API keys from the pipeline and require manual entry each time a build runs.
Why wrong: Manual entry is error-prone and breaks automation; it does not address secure storage.
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.
During a security audit, an engineer discovers that a CI/CD pipeline is storing API keys in plain text in environment variables. Which best practice should be implemented to mitigate this risk?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Use a dedicated secrets management service like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager and retrieve secrets at runtime.
Option C is correct because dedicated secrets management services like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager provide secure storage, access control, and audit logging for sensitive data. They allow the CI/CD pipeline to retrieve API keys at runtime via authenticated API calls, ensuring secrets are never stored in plain text in environment variables or configuration files. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and eliminates the risk of exposure through source code or build logs.
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.
- ✗
Store secrets in a .env file and add it to the repository with restricted access.
Why it's wrong here
Storing secrets in version control is a security risk even with restricted access; the file may be leaked.
- ✗
Encrypt the environment variables using a tool like openssl and store the key elsewhere.
Why it's wrong here
Encrypting environment variables still requires managing decryption keys and does not eliminate exposure in logs or process listings.
- ✓
Use a dedicated secrets management service like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager and retrieve secrets at runtime.
Why this is correct
Secrets managers provide secure storage, rotation, and audit capabilities, preventing exposure in plaintext.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Remove the API keys from the pipeline and require manual entry each time a build runs.
Why it's wrong here
Manual entry is error-prone and breaks automation; it does not address secure storage.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that encrypting secrets or storing them in a restricted repository is sufficient, when the correct answer is always to use a dedicated secrets management service that retrieves secrets at runtime, avoiding any persistent storage of sensitive data in the pipeline.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, secrets management services like HashiCorp Vault use a secure backend (e.g., Consul, integrated storage) with encryption at rest and in transit, and provide dynamic secrets that expire after use, reducing the blast radius of a leak. AWS Secrets Manager integrates with IAM roles and policies, allowing the CI/CD pipeline to assume a role with fine-grained permissions to retrieve secrets only when needed, and automatically rotates secrets for supported services like RDS. In a real-world scenario, a pipeline using Jenkins or GitLab CI can leverage a Vault agent sidecar or AWS SDK to fetch secrets at runtime, ensuring they never appear in environment variables or build artifacts.
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
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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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: Use a dedicated secrets management service like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager and retrieve secrets at runtime. — Option C is correct because dedicated secrets management services like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager provide secure storage, access control, and audit logging for sensitive data. They allow the CI/CD pipeline to retrieve API keys at runtime via authenticated API calls, ensuring secrets are never stored in plain text in environment variables or configuration files. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and eliminates the risk of exposure through source code or build logs.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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: Jun 11, 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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