- A
Runtime application self-protection (RASP)
Why wrong: RASP is a runtime security control, not an early integration approach.
- B
Software bill of materials (SBOM)
Why wrong: SBOM is a list of components, not an approach to early security integration.
- C
Web application firewall (WAF)
Why wrong: WAF is a network-level security control, not a development lifecycle integration.
- D
Shift-left security
Shift-left security refers to integrating security early in the SDLC, which aligns with the question.
Question 644 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 team wants to integrate security testing early in the development lifecycle to reduce vulnerabilities. Which approach best describes this concept?
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
✓
Shift-left security
Shift-left security is the practice of integrating security testing and controls early in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), such as during design and coding phases, rather than waiting until deployment. This proactive approach reduces vulnerabilities by catching flaws when they are cheaper and easier to fix, aligning with DevSecOps principles.
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.
- ✗
Runtime application self-protection (RASP)
Why it's wrong here
RASP is a runtime security control, not an early integration approach.
- ✗
Software bill of materials (SBOM)
Why it's wrong here
SBOM is a list of components, not an approach to early security integration.
- ✗
Web application firewall (WAF)
Why it's wrong here
WAF is a network-level security control, not a development lifecycle integration.
- ✓
Shift-left security
Why this is correct
Shift-left security refers to integrating security early in the SDLC, which aligns with the question.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
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 runtime controls (RASP, WAF) and lifecycle integration practices (shift-left), so candidates mistakenly choose a runtime tool because they associate 'security testing' with active monitoring rather than early development phases.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Shift-left security often involves integrating static application security testing (SAST) into CI/CD pipelines, using tools that analyze source code for vulnerabilities like SQL injection or buffer overflows without executing the code. In a real-world scenario, a team might use a SAST tool like Checkmarx or SonarQube to scan code during a Git commit hook, preventing insecure code from reaching the repository. This contrasts with dynamic analysis (DAST), which tests running applications later in the lifecycle.
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 analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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
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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: Shift-left security — Shift-left security is the practice of integrating security testing and controls early in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), such as during design and coding phases, rather than waiting until deployment. This proactive approach reduces vulnerabilities by catching flaws when they are cheaper and easier to fix, aligning with DevSecOps principles.
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.
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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