- A
Checkov
Why wrong: Checkov scans IaC templates for misconfigurations.
- B
GitGuardian
GitGuardian specializes in detecting secrets in source code.
- C
Snyk
Why wrong: Snyk is for dependency scanning, not secrets detection.
- D
tfsec
Why wrong: tfsec is a security scanner for Terraform.
Question 373 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 developer accidentally hardcodes AWS access keys in a public GitHub repository. Which tool is specifically designed to detect such secrets in code repositories?
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
✓
GitGuardian
GitGuardian is a purpose-built tool for detecting secrets (e.g., AWS access keys, API tokens) in code repositories, including public GitHub repos. It scans commit history and uses pattern matching to identify hardcoded credentials, alerting developers in real time. This directly addresses the scenario of accidental exposure in a public repository.
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.
- ✗
Checkov
Why it's wrong here
Checkov scans IaC templates for misconfigurations.
- ✓
GitGuardian
Why this is correct
GitGuardian specializes in detecting secrets in source code.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Snyk
Why it's wrong here
Snyk is for dependency scanning, not secrets detection.
- ✗
tfsec
Why it's wrong here
tfsec is a security scanner for Terraform.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between infrastructure-as-code security scanners (Checkov, tfsec) and secret detection tools (GitGuardian), trapping candidates who assume any security tool can find hardcoded credentials.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
GitGuardian uses a combination of regex patterns, entropy analysis, and pre-commit hooks to detect secrets in git history, including in past commits. It integrates with GitHub via webhooks to scan pushes and pull requests, preventing secrets from being exposed even after accidental commits. In real-world scenarios, a developer might push a key in a single commit; GitGuardian can alert the team before the repo is public, while tools like Checkov or tfsec would miss it entirely.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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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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: GitGuardian — GitGuardian is a purpose-built tool for detecting secrets (e.g., AWS access keys, API tokens) in code repositories, including public GitHub repos. It scans commit history and uses pattern matching to identify hardcoded credentials, alerting developers in real time. This directly addresses the scenario of accidental exposure in a public repository.
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
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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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