The correct answer is implementing OAuth 2.0 for token-based access control, paired with HTTPS to encrypt the entire HTTP conversation. HTTPS uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt headers and payload, preventing eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks, while OAuth 2.0 provides delegated, scoped access via tokens rather than exposing long-lived credentials. On the Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 exam, this pairing tests your understanding that encryption alone is insufficient—you must also control who accesses the API and with what permissions. A common trap is confusing authentication with authorization; OAuth 2.0 handles authorization, not user login. Remember: HTTPS locks the door, OAuth 2.0 decides who gets the key. For memory, think “TLS for the tunnel, tokens for the trust.”
200-901 Application Deployment and Security Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of application deployment and security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO are valid methods to secure a REST API? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit.
HTTPS (HTTP over TLS) encrypts the entire HTTP conversation, including headers and payload, using Transport Layer Security (TLS). This prevents eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and tampering of data in transit. For a REST API, HTTPS is a fundamental security requirement to protect sensitive data and credentials from being exposed on the network.
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.
✓
Use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit.
Why this is correct
HTTPS encrypts the communication, preventing eavesdropping and tampering.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use HTTP with basic authentication.
Why it's wrong here
HTTP transmits credentials in plaintext; HTTPS is required for security.
✗
Embed API keys in the URL query string.
Why it's wrong here
API keys in URLs are exposed in logs and browser history; they should be sent in headers over HTTPS.
✗
Implement rate limiting to prevent abuse.
Why it's wrong here
Rate limiting is a control for availability, not a security mechanism for authentication or confidentiality.
✓
Implement OAuth 2.0 for token-based access control.
Why this is correct
OAuth 2.0 provides delegated access with scoped tokens, a standard for API security.
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 mechanisms that provide confidentiality/integrity (HTTPS, OAuth 2.0) versus those that only provide availability or weak authentication (rate limiting, HTTP Basic), leading candidates to mistakenly select rate limiting as a security method.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HTTPS relies on TLS 1.2 or 1.3 to establish an encrypted tunnel using asymmetric key exchange (e.g., ECDHE) and symmetric session keys (e.g., AES-256-GCM). OAuth 2.0 uses access tokens (often JWTs) that are validated by the resource server without exposing long-lived secrets; the authorization code flow with PKCE is the recommended grant type for public clients to prevent authorization code interception attacks.
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.
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 HTTPS to encrypt data in transit. — HTTPS (HTTP over TLS) encrypts the entire HTTP conversation, including headers and payload, using Transport Layer Security (TLS). This prevents eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and tampering of data in transit. For a REST API, HTTPS is a fundamental security requirement to protect sensitive data and credentials from being exposed on the network.
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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Question Discussion
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