- A
Store the credentials in AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter.
Why wrong: Parameter Store does not automatically rotate secrets; manual rotation is error-prone.
- B
Use AWS Secrets Manager to store the credentials and retrieve them at runtime with least-privilege IAM roles.
Secrets Manager provides secure storage, automatic rotation, and fine-grained access control via IAM.
- C
Store the credentials as encrypted environment variables in the Lambda function configuration.
Why wrong: Environment variables can be viewed in the Lambda console or by anyone with access to the function configuration.
- D
Hardcode the credentials in the Lambda function code and encrypt the deployment package.
Why wrong: Hardcoding credentials is a security anti-pattern and encrypted packages can still be decrypted by authorized users.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use AWS Secrets Manager to store the database credentials and retrieve them at runtime with a least-privilege IAM role. This is correct because Secrets Manager is purpose-built for securely managing secrets, offering native integration with AWS Lambda to fetch credentials via API calls at runtime, which avoids hardcoding sensitive data in code or configuration files. On the Certified Cloud Security Professional CCSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of secure credential lifecycle management and the principle of least privilege, often appearing as a trap where candidates might choose storing secrets in encrypted environment variables or parameter store without rotation capabilities. The key distinction is that Secrets Manager provides automatic rotation, critical for compliance with encryption and access control requirements. Memory tip: think “Secrets Manager rotates, Parameter Store stores” — if the question mentions rotation or compliance, Secrets Manager is the secure choice.
CCSP Cloud Application Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud application security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 cloud security architect is designing a CI/CD pipeline for a serverless application using AWS Lambda. The application processes sensitive user data and requires encryption at rest and in transit. Which of the following is the BEST approach to securely manage database credentials used by the Lambda function?
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.
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 AWS Secrets Manager to store the credentials and retrieve them at runtime with least-privilege IAM roles.
AWS Secrets Manager is the best choice because it is purpose-built for securely storing, rotating, and retrieving secrets such as database credentials. It integrates natively with AWS Lambda via the Secrets Manager API, allowing the function to fetch credentials at runtime using a least-privilege IAM role. This approach avoids embedding secrets in code or configuration and supports automatic rotation, which is critical for compliance with encryption and access control requirements.
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.
- ✗
Store the credentials in AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store with a SecureString parameter.
Why it's wrong here
Parameter Store does not automatically rotate secrets; manual rotation is error-prone.
- ✓
Use AWS Secrets Manager to store the credentials and retrieve them at runtime with least-privilege IAM roles.
Why this is correct
Secrets Manager provides secure storage, automatic rotation, and fine-grained access control via IAM.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Store the credentials as encrypted environment variables in the Lambda function configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Environment variables can be viewed in the Lambda console or by anyone with access to the function configuration.
- ✗
Hardcode the credentials in the Lambda function code and encrypt the deployment package.
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding credentials is a security anti-pattern and encrypted packages can still be decrypted by authorized users.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store (for configuration) and AWS Secrets Manager (for secrets), trapping candidates who think encryption alone is sufficient without considering rotation and lifecycle management.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Secrets Manager uses envelope encryption with AWS KMS, where a data key encrypts the secret and the data key is encrypted by a KMS master key. The Lambda function assumes an IAM role with a policy that grants only the `secretsmanager:GetSecretValue` action on the specific secret ARN, ensuring least privilege. Secrets Manager also supports automatic rotation via a Lambda function that updates the secret and the database password simultaneously, reducing the risk of stale credentials.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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.
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Cloud Application Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Application Security — This question tests Cloud Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Secrets Manager to store the credentials and retrieve them at runtime with least-privilege IAM roles. — AWS Secrets Manager is the best choice because it is purpose-built for securely storing, rotating, and retrieving secrets such as database credentials. It integrates natively with AWS Lambda via the Secrets Manager API, allowing the function to fetch credentials at runtime using a least-privilege IAM role. This approach avoids embedding secrets in code or configuration and supports automatic rotation, which is critical for compliance with encryption and access control requirements.
What should I do if I get this CCSP 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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CCSP exam.
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