SAUTO Network Security Practice Question
When designing secure network automation, which practice is considered the most critical for API credentials?
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 environment variables or a vault solution
Storing credentials in plaintext is a severe security vulnerability. Using secret managers (like HashiCorp Vault) or environment variables is the required best practice.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Using environment variables or a vault solution
Why this is correct
Externalizing secrets is the standard for secure automation.
- ✗
Hardcoding credentials in the script
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding is a major security risk.
- ✗
Using a shared service account with no password
Why it's wrong here
This violates basic access control principles.
- ✗
Saving credentials in a local text file
Why it's wrong here
This exposes credentials to unauthorized local access.
About these practice questions
This SAUTO question is part of Courseiva's 281-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This SAUTO 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 SAUTO exam.