ISC Risk Management Practice Question
An ISSEP is performing a threat assessment for a mobile application. What is the biggest risk when using hardcoded API keys for third-party services within the app code?
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
✓
Easy extraction of keys through reverse engineering the binary.
Hardcoded keys are easily extractable via reverse engineering the app binary, leading to unauthorized use of the third-party services and potential compromise of the developer's account.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increased latency for API calls.
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoded keys do not affect performance.
- ✓
Easy extraction of keys through reverse engineering the binary.
Why this is correct
This is a classic vulnerability in mobile app development.
- ✗
The keys will expire too quickly.
Why it's wrong here
Key expiration is a management policy, not a risk of hardcoding.
- ✗
The app will crash when the API is unavailable.
Why it's wrong here
Error handling is a separate issue from credential exposure.
About these practice questions
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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 ISC 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 ISC exam.