CCSP Cloud Application Security Practice Question
A cloud security architect is designing a multi-tier application that processes sensitive customer data. To protect data in transit between the web tier and the application tier, which of the following is the MOST appropriate approach?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that standard TLS (server-side only) is sufficient for internal service-to-service communication, but the trap here is that without mutual authentication, an attacker who compromises the web tier could impersonate it to the application tier, or a rogue service could connect to the application tier undetected.
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 mutual TLS (mTLS) between the tiers
Mutual TLS (mTLS) is the most appropriate approach because it provides bidirectional authentication and encryption between the web tier and application tier. In a multi-tier application processing sensitive customer data, mTLS ensures that both the client (web tier) and server (application tier) present valid certificates, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks and unauthorized inter-tier communication. This is critical for protecting data in transit in zero-trust or internal network segments where simple server-side TLS would not verify the identity of the calling service.
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 standard TLS with server-side certificates only
Why it's wrong here
Lacks mutual authentication; client identity is not verified.
- ✗
Establish SSH tunnels for all inter-tier communication
Why it's wrong here
SSH tunnels are cumbersome and not scalable for multiple services.
- ✓
Use mutual TLS (mTLS) between the tiers
Why this is correct
mTLS provides bidirectional authentication and encryption, ideal for service-to-service communication.
- ✗
Implement IPsec VPN between the tiers
Why it's wrong here
IPsec is overkill for internal VPC traffic and adds complexity.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.