easyMultiple Choice
CCSP Practice Question: A cloud security team wants to integrate security…
A cloud security team wants to integrate security testing early in the development lifecycle to reduce vulnerabilities. Which approach best describes this concept?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 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.
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.
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 instruments a running application to detect and block attacks at execution time, so it operates after deployment rather than during coding or build. It is tempting because it reduces exploitable vulnerabilities, but it addresses runtime threats, not early-lifecycle testing such as SAST or DAST.
- ✗
Software bill of materials (SBOM)
Why it's wrong here
An SBOM inventories components and dependencies for supply-chain transparency; it does not execute security tests during development. It is tempting because it supports vulnerability management, but it only lists what is present, whereas early-lifecycle testing requires tooling that scans code or artefacts before release.
- ✗
Web application firewall (WAF)
Why it's wrong here
A WAF filters HTTP traffic at the network edge, protecting deployed applications rather than testing source code or builds. It is tempting because it blocks common exploits, but it sits in production traffic, whereas shifting security left requires static or dynamic analysis within the CI/CD pipeline.
- ✓
Shift-left security
Why this is correct
Shift-left security moves testing and threat modelling into earlier lifecycle phases, so defects are caught during design and coding rather than after deployment. This directly satisfies the team's goal of integrating security testing early to reduce vulnerabilities, lowering remediation cost and exposure.
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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.