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CAS-004 Practice Question: A security architect is designing a secure…
A security architect is designing a secure software development pipeline. The organization wants to ensure that code is thoroughly analyzed before deployment. Which TWO of the following should be integrated into the pipeline to identify vulnerabilities early? (Select TWO.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The CAS-004 exam often tests the distinction between static and dynamic analysis by presenting SAST and DAST as equally valid early-stage options, but the trap is that DAST requires a running application and cannot be integrated before deployment, making SAST and SCA the only correct choices for early vulnerability identification.
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
✓
Static application security testing (SAST)
SAST (Static Application Security Testing) analyzes source code, bytecode, or binary code without executing it, scanning for vulnerabilities like SQL injection, buffer overflows, and insecure cryptographic functions. Integrating SAST early in the pipeline (shift-left) allows developers to fix issues before compilation, reducing remediation cost and risk. SCA (Software Composition Analysis) identifies known vulnerabilities in third-party libraries and open-source components by comparing dependency versions against databases like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). Both tools are non-intrusive and can be automated in CI/CD pipelines to catch flaws before deployment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Static application security testing (SAST)
Why this is correct
SAST analyzes source code without executing it, identifying vulnerabilities early.
- ✓
Software composition analysis (SCA)
Why this is correct
SCA scans dependencies for known vulnerabilities in open-source libraries.
- ✗
Fuzz testing
Why it's wrong here
Fuzz testing is a dynamic technique that requires a running application.
- ✗
Dynamic application security testing (DAST)
Why it's wrong here
DAST is performed on a running application, which is later in the pipeline.
- ✗
Penetration testing
Why it's wrong here
Penetration testing is typically performed on deployed systems, not in the build pipeline.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-005 exam.