- A
Reviewing logs for security incidents weekly
Why wrong: This is a monitoring activity, not a proactive early security measure.
- B
Scanning Infrastructure as Code (IaC) templates with Checkov before deployment
Correct. IaC scanning in the CI pipeline identifies misconfigurations early, aligning with shift-left.
- C
Configuring a cloud WAF after the application is live
Why wrong: This is a perimeter defense applied after deployment, not early integration.
- D
Performing runtime penetration testing after deployment
Why wrong: This is a late-stage security activity, not shift-left.
Question 981 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 development team is adopting a DevSecOps approach for a cloud-native application. Which practice best exemplifies the shift-left security principle?
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
✓
Scanning Infrastructure as Code (IaC) templates with Checkov before deployment
Option B is correct because scanning Infrastructure as Code (IaC) templates with Checkov before deployment embodies the shift-left security principle by identifying and remediating misconfigurations early in the development lifecycle. This proactive approach prevents security issues from reaching production, reducing risk and cost compared to post-deployment fixes.
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.
- ✗
Reviewing logs for security incidents weekly
Why it's wrong here
This is a monitoring activity, not a proactive early security measure.
- ✓
Scanning Infrastructure as Code (IaC) templates with Checkov before deployment
Why this is correct
Correct. IaC scanning in the CI pipeline identifies misconfigurations early, aligning with shift-left.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configuring a cloud WAF after the application is live
Why it's wrong here
This is a perimeter defense applied after deployment, not early integration.
- ✗
Performing runtime penetration testing after deployment
Why it's wrong here
This is a late-stage security activity, not shift-left.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that shift-left means any security activity performed early in the lifecycle, but the trap here is that candidates may confuse post-deployment controls (like WAF or pen testing) with true shift-left practices, which must occur before code is deployed or infrastructure is provisioned.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Shift-left security integrates automated security checks into CI/CD pipelines, such as static analysis of IaC templates using tools like Checkov, which evaluates Terraform, CloudFormation, and Kubernetes manifests against hundreds of built-in policies (e.g., CIS benchmarks). Under the hood, Checkov parses the IaC into an abstract syntax tree and applies rule-based checks for misconfigurations like open security groups or unencrypted S3 buckets, failing the build if violations are found. In a real-world scenario, a team using Checkov in a GitHub Actions pipeline can block a Terraform plan that exposes an SSH port to 0.0.0.0/0, preventing a critical cloud breach before any resource is provisioned.
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: Scanning Infrastructure as Code (IaC) templates with Checkov before deployment — Option B is correct because scanning Infrastructure as Code (IaC) templates with Checkov before deployment embodies the shift-left security principle by identifying and remediating misconfigurations early in the development lifecycle. This proactive approach prevents security issues from reaching production, reducing risk and cost compared to post-deployment fixes.
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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