SDSI Application Security Design Practice Question
When designing the architecture for a highly secure API ecosystem, which THREE security layers should be implemented? (Choose THREE)
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
✓
Service Mesh for internal mTLS and authorization
A robust API security design incorporates ingress protection, service-to-service authentication, and continuous monitoring.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Open-access policies for all internal microservices
Why it's wrong here
Open access is a major security vulnerability.
- ✓
Service Mesh for internal mTLS and authorization
Why this is correct
Service mesh ensures internal security.
- ✗
Physical air-gapping of all servers
Why it's wrong here
Air-gapping is impractical for modern API-driven architectures.
- ✓
Centralized API security and observability platform
Why this is correct
Monitoring is critical for identifying threats.
- ✓
API Gateway/Ingress Controller for edge security
Why this is correct
The gateway is the first line of defense.
About these practice questions
One of 299 original SDSI practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. 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.