SDSI Application Security Design Practice Question
When designing security for SaaS applications, what is the primary benefit of an API-based CASB like Cisco Cloudlock over a proxy-based CASB?
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
✓
API-based does not require routing user traffic through the CASB
API-based CASBs can monitor data at rest and provide deeper remediation without requiring users to route their traffic through a proxy, which is ideal for cloud-first environments.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Proxy-based is cheaper
Why it's wrong here
Cost depends on the solution, not the architecture.
- ✗
API-based only works on-premises
Why it's wrong here
API-based is specifically designed for cloud/SaaS.
- ✓
API-based does not require routing user traffic through the CASB
Why this is correct
This is a major operational advantage for cloud-native setups.
- ✗
Proxy-based is always faster
Why it's wrong here
Proxies can introduce latency.
About these practice questions
This SDSI question is part of Courseiva's 298-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 SDSI 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 SDSI exam.