Question 1,056 of 1,152

Security Architecture →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is to scan images in the pipeline and enforce signature verification or admission control before deployment. This approach directly addresses both requirements by integrating container image scanning for known vulnerabilities—using tools like Trivy or Clair—within the CI/CD pipeline, while simultaneously implementing admission control or signature verification, such as with OPA/Gatekeeper or Cosign, to reject any unapproved images at the cluster level. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this tests your understanding of secure DevOps practices and the principle of defense in depth, often appearing as a scenario where you must combine preventive and detective controls. A common trap is choosing only scanning or only admission control, but the question explicitly demands both. Remember the mnemonic “Scan then Sign” to recall that vulnerability scanning must happen in the pipeline, and cryptographic signing or policy enforcement must gate the deployment.

SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question

This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 DevOps team builds container images in a CI/CD pipeline. Security wants to reduce the chance of deploying vulnerable libraries and also wants the cluster to reject images that have not been approved. Which approach best meets both requirements?

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.

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
Increase CPU and memory limits for the containers so they run more safely.
Why wrong: Resource limits can improve stability, but they do not address vulnerable dependencies or image trust. This is a performance control, not an image security control.
B
Allow developers to pull images from any registry as long as the tags look familiar.
Why wrong: Tags are easy to copy or spoof and do not prove an image was approved. This creates supply-chain risk rather than reducing it.
C
Disable pipeline scanning to speed releases and rely on runtime monitoring after deployment.
Why wrong: Runtime monitoring is useful, but it reacts after deployment. Disabling build-time checks increases the chance that a risky image reaches production.
D
Scan images in the pipeline and enforce signature verification or admission control before deployment.
Build-time scanning helps identify vulnerable packages before release, while signature verification or admission control ensures only approved images can run in the cluster. Together, these controls reduce both content risk and deployment risk. This is the strongest combined answer because it addresses prevention and policy enforcement.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Scan images in the pipeline and enforce signature verification or admission control before deployment.

Option D is correct because it combines two essential security controls: scanning container images for known vulnerabilities (e.g., using Trivy or Clair) during the CI/CD pipeline, and enforcing signature verification (e.g., using Notary or Cosign) or admission control (e.g., using OPA/Gatekeeper or Kyverno) to ensure only signed or approved images are deployed. This directly reduces the risk of deploying vulnerable libraries and prevents unapproved images from running in the cluster.

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.

✗
Increase CPU and memory limits for the containers so they run more safely.
Why it's wrong here
Resource limits can improve stability, but they do not address vulnerable dependencies or image trust. This is a performance control, not an image security control.
✗
Allow developers to pull images from any registry as long as the tags look familiar.
Why it's wrong here
Tags are easy to copy or spoof and do not prove an image was approved. This creates supply-chain risk rather than reducing it.
✗
Disable pipeline scanning to speed releases and rely on runtime monitoring after deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Runtime monitoring is useful, but it reacts after deployment. Disabling build-time checks increases the chance that a risky image reaches production.
✓
Scan images in the pipeline and enforce signature verification or admission control before deployment.
Why this is correct
Build-time scanning helps identify vulnerable packages before release, while signature verification or admission control ensures only approved images can run in the cluster. Together, these controls reduce both content risk and deployment risk. This is the strongest combined answer because it addresses prevention and policy enforcement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates may think runtime monitoring (Option C) is sufficient, but it fails to prevent the initial deployment of vulnerable or unapproved images, which is the core requirement of the question.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Admission controllers like OPA/Gatekeeper or Kyverno intercept Kubernetes API requests and can enforce policies such as requiring images to be signed with a trusted key (e.g., using Cosign for container image signing). The pipeline scanning step (e.g., using Snyk or Grype) generates a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and checks against known CVE databases, ensuring only images with acceptable risk levels proceed. This layered approach—shift-left scanning plus admission control—is a best practice for securing containerized workloads.

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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.

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.

Related SY0-701 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

General Security Concepts practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.

Security Architecture practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.

Security Operations practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.

Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.

Security+ social engineering questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.

Security+ cryptography practice questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.

Security+ IAM questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.

Security+ risk management questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.

Security+ incident response questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.

Security+ malware questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.

Security+ vulnerability management questions

Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.

Practice this exam

Start a free SY0-701 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

SY0-701 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this SY0-701 question test?

Security Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Scan images in the pipeline and enforce signature verification or admission control before deployment. — Option D is correct because it combines two essential security controls: scanning container images for known vulnerabilities (e.g., using Trivy or Clair) during the CI/CD pipeline, and enforcing signature verification (e.g., using Notary or Cosign) or admission control (e.g., using OPA/Gatekeeper or Kyverno) to ensure only signed or approved images are deployed. This directly reduces the risk of deploying vulnerable libraries and prevents unapproved images from running in the cluster.

What should I do if I get this SY0-701 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

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Keep practising

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

This SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.