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CCSP Practice Question: A defense contractor uses a cloud provider that…
A defense contractor uses a cloud provider that is FedRAMP authorized at the Moderate impact level. The contractor's contract requires compliance with DFARS 252.204-7012, which mandates safeguarding covered defense information (CDI) and reporting cyber incidents. The contractor's security team wants to ensure the cloud provider's security controls are adequate. The provider offers a FedRAMP package that includes a System Security Plan (SSP) and a Security Assessment Report (SAR). The contractor's legal department has determined that if the provider is FedRAMP authorized, the audit requirements are satisfied. What is the most efficient way to verify compliance?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that you must independently verify cloud provider controls (e.g., by reviewing SSP/SAR or conducting your own tests) even when a recognized certification like FedRAMP already satisfies the compliance requirement, leading candidates to over-audit and waste resources.
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
✓
Use the FedRAMP authorization letter as evidence without further audit.
The FedRAMP authorization letter is the most efficient verification because FedRAMP Moderate authorization is explicitly recognized by the DoD as meeting the security control baseline for DFARS 252.204-7012. The legal department has already determined that FedRAMP authorization satisfies audit requirements, so no additional analysis of the SSP/SAR or third-party testing is needed. Using the authorization letter alone avoids redundant effort while still providing auditable evidence of compliance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use the FedRAMP authorization letter as evidence without further audit.
Why this is correct
This aligns with the legal department's determination and is efficient.
- ✗
Request the provider's SSP and SAR and compare against DFARS requirements.
Why it's wrong here
While informative, it is not required; FedRAMP authorization already covers DFARS requirements.
- ✗
Engage a third-party auditing firm to assess the provider.
Why it's wrong here
Costly and redundant; FedRAMP authorization provides sufficient assurance.
- ✗
Perform an independent penetration test on the provider's infrastructure.
Why it's wrong here
Unnecessary given FedRAMP authorization; duplicates effort and may violate terms.
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JA
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.