CSSLP Secure Software Implementation Practice Question
You are reviewing code and find a hardcoded API key. Which security control should be implemented to securely manage this secret?
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
✓
Use a secret management service
Secret management services like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager allow externalizing and rotating secrets without code changes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use a secret management service
Why this is correct
Dedicated services provide encryption and centralized access control for secrets.
- ✗
Store it in a public environment variable
Why it's wrong here
Public environment variables can be leaked easily.
- ✗
Add it to the .gitignore file
Why it's wrong here
This prevents uploading to Git but does not solve the runtime management issue.
- ✗
Obfuscate the key in the code
Why it's wrong here
Obfuscation is easily reversible and not a security control.
About these practice questions
This CSSLP question is part of Courseiva's 198-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 (ISC)² exam blueprint
This CSSLP practice question is part of Courseiva's free (ISC)² 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 CSSLP exam.