ISC Systems Lifecycle Management Practice Question
An organization uses a microservices architecture. How can the ISSMP ensure that inter-service communication is encrypted and that services are authenticated to one another?
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
✓
Using a Service Mesh (e.g., Istio) to enforce mTLS.
Implementing a Service Mesh (e.g., Istio) provides mutual TLS (mTLS) for encrypted communication and cryptographic identity verification between services.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hardcoding API keys into environment variables.
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding secrets is a security vulnerability, not a solution.
- ✗
Installing an antivirus agent on every container.
Why it's wrong here
AV does not provide network-level encryption or service authentication.
- ✗
Using a standard VPN between all services.
Why it's wrong here
VPNs are not designed for microservices traffic and do not provide granular identity verification.
- ✓
Using a Service Mesh (e.g., Istio) to enforce mTLS.
Why this is correct
A service mesh handles mTLS and identity at the infrastructure layer, independent of the application code.
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.