- A
Snyk
Why wrong: Snyk focuses on dependency vulnerabilities.
- B
Dependabot
Why wrong: Dependabot updates dependencies, not scans IaC.
- C
GitGuardian
Why wrong: GitGuardian detects secrets in code.
- D
Checkov
Checkov scans IaC files like Terraform for compliance and security issues.
Question 497 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 company uses Terraform to manage cloud infrastructure. Which infrastructure-as-code (IaC) security scanner can detect misconfigurations such as overly permissive security group rules 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
✓
Checkov
Checkov is an open-source static analysis tool specifically designed to scan Infrastructure as Code (IaC) templates, including Terraform, for security misconfigurations such as overly permissive security group rules (e.g., 0.0.0.0/0 ingress on port 22). It uses a policy-as-code framework with hundreds of built-in checks (e.g., CKV_AWS_24 for unrestricted SSH) and can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines to catch issues before deployment, making it the correct choice for pre-deployment IaC scanning.
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.
- ✗
Snyk
Why it's wrong here
Snyk focuses on dependency vulnerabilities.
- ✗
Dependabot
Why it's wrong here
Dependabot updates dependencies, not scans IaC.
- ✗
GitGuardian
Why it's wrong here
GitGuardian detects secrets in code.
- ✓
Checkov
Why this is correct
Checkov scans IaC files like Terraform for compliance and security issues.
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 IaC security scanners (like Checkov) and other security tools (like Snyk for dependencies, Dependabot for package updates, and GitGuardian for secrets), so candidates must recognize that only Checkov is purpose-built for scanning Terraform configurations before deployment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Checkov evaluates Terraform HCL against a policy library using the Open Policy Agent (OPA) Rego language or its own Python-based checks, allowing custom policies to be defined. A real-world scenario involves a developer defining an AWS security group with `cidr_blocks = ["0.0.0.0/0"]` for SSH; Checkov’s CKV_AWS_24 check will flag this as a critical misconfiguration, preventing a publicly accessible bastion host. Under the hood, Checkov parses the Terraform plan or state file and traverses the resource graph to detect transitive exposures, such as a load balancer allowing unrestricted access to an internal subnet.
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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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: Checkov — Checkov is an open-source static analysis tool specifically designed to scan Infrastructure as Code (IaC) templates, including Terraform, for security misconfigurations such as overly permissive security group rules (e.g., 0.0.0.0/0 ingress on port 22). It uses a policy-as-code framework with hundreds of built-in checks (e.g., CKV_AWS_24 for unrestricted SSH) and can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines to catch issues before deployment, making it the correct choice for pre-deployment IaC scanning.
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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