- A
GitGuardian
Why wrong: GitGuardian detects secrets in code, not IaC misconfigurations.
- B
KICS
Correct. KICS scans IaC including Kubernetes and Terraform.
- C
Checkov
Correct. Checkov scans Terraform, CloudFormation, and Kubernetes.
- D
Snyk
Why wrong: Snyk is for dependency/container scanning, not IaC misconfigurations.
- E
tfsec
Correct. tfsec scans Terraform configurations.
Question 399 of 1,000
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 team is implementing a DevSecOps pipeline for a Kubernetes-based application. Which THREE scanning tools should be integrated to detect IaC misconfigurations before deployment?
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
✓
KICS
KICS (Keeping Infrastructure as Code Secure) is an open-source tool specifically designed to scan IaC files for security misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and compliance violations before deployment. It supports multiple IaC formats including Terraform, Kubernetes manifests, Dockerfiles, and CloudFormation, making it a strong choice for a DevSecOps pipeline targeting Kubernetes-based applications.
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.
- ✗
GitGuardian
Why it's wrong here
GitGuardian detects secrets in code, not IaC misconfigurations.
- ✓
KICS
Why this is correct
Correct. KICS scans IaC including Kubernetes and Terraform.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Checkov
Why this is correct
Correct. Checkov scans Terraform, CloudFormation, and Kubernetes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Snyk
Why it's wrong here
Snyk is for dependency/container scanning, not IaC misconfigurations.
- ✓
tfsec
Why this is correct
Correct. tfsec scans Terraform configurations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between secret scanning tools (like GitGuardian) and IaC misconfiguration scanners (like KICS, Checkov, tfsec), leading candidates to select GitGuardian because it is a well-known security tool, even though it does not address IaC misconfigurations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
KICS works by parsing IaC files into an intermediate representation and then applying a set of over 1,500 built-in queries (based on OPA Rego and custom DSL) to detect misconfigurations such as overly permissive IAM policies, unencrypted storage, or insecure network settings. In a real-world scenario, integrating KICS into a CI/CD pipeline (e.g., as a pre-commit hook or in a GitHub Actions workflow) can catch issues like a Kubernetes Pod with `privileged: true` or a Terraform S3 bucket with `acl = "public-read"` before they reach production.
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.
- →
Cloud Application Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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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: KICS — KICS (Keeping Infrastructure as Code Secure) is an open-source tool specifically designed to scan IaC files for security misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and compliance violations before deployment. It supports multiple IaC formats including Terraform, Kubernetes manifests, Dockerfiles, and CloudFormation, making it a strong choice for a DevSecOps pipeline targeting Kubernetes-based applications.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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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