- A
Build the image, push it, then scan it, and if vulnerabilities are found, rebuild and repush.
Why wrong: This doubles build time and registry usage; scanning should occur before push.
- B
Run the vulnerability scan on the image after pushing to the registry and block deployment if critical vulnerabilities are found.
Why wrong: Post-push scanning delays the pipeline; the image is already in the registry.
- C
Build the image, scan it locally, and if it passes, push it to the registry; run scans in parallel with the build if possible.
Local scanning before push catches vulnerabilities early and does not delay the pipeline if done in parallel.
- D
Scan the source code dependencies before building the image, and skip image scanning.
Why wrong: Source scanning does not cover vulnerabilities introduced in the base image or during build.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to build the image, scan it locally, and if it passes, push it to the registry, running scans in parallel with the build if possible. This approach is correct because it shifts the vulnerability scan left in the CI/CD pipeline, catching security issues before the image ever reaches the registry, which prevents wasted time pushing and then rebuilding a vulnerable container. On the Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 exam, this tests your understanding of shift-left security and pipeline efficiency, often appearing as a trap where you might be tempted to scan only after pushing to the registry or to block the entire pipeline with a sequential scan. A common memory tip is to think "scan before you stash" — always validate the image locally before storing it in the registry, just as you would test code before committing.
200-901 Application Deployment and Security Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of application deployment and security. 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 security policy requires that all container images in a registry are scanned for vulnerabilities before deployment. Which approach best integrates this into a CI/CD pipeline without slowing down the pipeline?
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
Build the image, scan it locally, and if it passes, push it to the registry; run scans in parallel with the build if possible.
Option C is correct because it shifts the vulnerability scan left in the pipeline: the image is built and scanned locally before being pushed to the registry. If the scan passes, the image is pushed; if it fails, the pipeline stops early, avoiding the overhead of pushing a vulnerable image and then rebuilding. This approach minimizes pipeline latency by running scans in parallel with the build where possible, ensuring security without blocking the deployment flow.
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.
- ✗
Build the image, push it, then scan it, and if vulnerabilities are found, rebuild and repush.
Why it's wrong here
This doubles build time and registry usage; scanning should occur before push.
- ✗
Run the vulnerability scan on the image after pushing to the registry and block deployment if critical vulnerabilities are found.
Why it's wrong here
Post-push scanning delays the pipeline; the image is already in the registry.
- ✓
Build the image, scan it locally, and if it passes, push it to the registry; run scans in parallel with the build if possible.
Why this is correct
Local scanning before push catches vulnerabilities early and does not delay the pipeline if done in parallel.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Scan the source code dependencies before building the image, and skip image scanning.
Why it's wrong here
Source scanning does not cover vulnerabilities introduced in the base image or during build.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the concept of 'shifting left' security — candidates mistakenly think scanning after pushing (Option B) is acceptable because it blocks deployment, but the trap is that the policy requires scanning before deployment, not before push, and Option B still allows vulnerable images to reside in the registry.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, container image scanning tools like Trivy or Clair analyze the image's filesystem layers and package manifests (e.g., dpkg status, RPM database) against CVE databases. Running the scan locally before pushing avoids the network round-trip and registry write for a failed image, and parallelizing the scan with the build (e.g., using Docker build stages or multi-threaded scanning) can reduce wall-clock time. In a real-world CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins or GitLab CI, this pattern is often implemented with a 'build and scan' stage that conditionally pushes only on success, ensuring the registry only contains compliant images.
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Application Deployment and Security practice 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: Build the image, scan it locally, and if it passes, push it to the registry; run scans in parallel with the build if possible. — Option C is correct because it shifts the vulnerability scan left in the pipeline: the image is built and scanned locally before being pushed to the registry. If the scan passes, the image is pushed; if it fails, the pipeline stops early, avoiding the overhead of pushing a vulnerable image and then rebuilding. This approach minimizes pipeline latency by running scans in parallel with the build where possible, ensuring security without blocking the deployment flow.
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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