- A
Implement runtime application self-protection (RASP)
Why wrong: RASP is a runtime control, not a CI/CD integration.
- B
Scan container images for vulnerabilities before push to registry
Correct. Pre-registry scanning catches vulnerabilities early.
- C
Use a cloud WAF to protect the containerized application
Why wrong: WAF is a runtime protection, not a CI/CD security measure.
- D
Sign container images to ensure integrity
Correct. Signing prevents tampering and ensures authenticity.
- E
Run SAST on the application source code
Why wrong: SAST is for source code, not container images.
Question 347 of 1,000
CCSP Cloud Application Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud application security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 implementing a CI/CD pipeline for a containerized application on AWS. Which TWO practices should be integrated to enforce container image security?
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
✓
Scan container images for vulnerabilities before push to registry
Option B is correct because scanning container images for vulnerabilities before pushing them to a registry is a critical shift-left security practice. It ensures that known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) in base images or application dependencies are detected and remediated early in the CI/CD pipeline, preventing insecure images from being deployed. Tools like Trivy, Clair, or AWS ECR image scanning integrate directly into the pipeline to enforce this policy.
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.
- ✗
Implement runtime application self-protection (RASP)
Why it's wrong here
RASP is a runtime control, not a CI/CD integration.
- ✓
Scan container images for vulnerabilities before push to registry
Why this is correct
Correct. Pre-registry scanning catches vulnerabilities early.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a cloud WAF to protect the containerized application
Why it's wrong here
WAF is a runtime protection, not a CI/CD security measure.
- ✓
Sign container images to ensure integrity
Why this is correct
Correct. Signing prevents tampering and ensures authenticity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run SAST on the application source code
Why it's wrong here
SAST is for source code, not container images.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between pipeline-time security controls (like scanning and signing) and runtime or perimeter controls (like RASP and WAF), leading candidates to mistakenly select runtime defenses for a CI/CD enforcement question.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Container image signing, as in option D, uses cryptographic signatures (e.g., with Notary or cosign) to ensure the image has not been tampered with between build and deployment. This enforces integrity and provenance, which is distinct from vulnerability scanning; together, scanning and signing provide both safety (no known flaws) and trust (no unauthorized modifications). In practice, a CI/CD pipeline should enforce both: scan for CVEs and sign the image before pushing to a registry like Amazon ECR or Docker Hub.
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 security team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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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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: Scan container images for vulnerabilities before push to registry — Option B is correct because scanning container images for vulnerabilities before pushing them to a registry is a critical shift-left security practice. It ensures that known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) in base images or application dependencies are detected and remediated early in the CI/CD pipeline, preventing insecure images from being deployed. Tools like Trivy, Clair, or AWS ECR image scanning integrate directly into the pipeline to enforce this policy.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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