CCSP Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud platform and infrastructure security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 DevOps team is deploying containers in a Kubernetes cluster. They need to ensure that container images are scanned for vulnerabilities before deployment. Which is the most effective approach?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a container registry with integrated vulnerability scanning and enforce admission controls.
Option B is correct because integrating vulnerability scanning into the container registry (e.g., using tools like Trivy, Clair, or Amazon ECR scanning) combined with admission controllers (e.g., OPA/Gatekeeper or Kyverno) allows automated scanning of images at rest and blocks deployments of non-compliant images before they enter the cluster. This shift-left approach ensures that only images passing security policies are admitted, preventing vulnerable images from reaching production.
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.
✗
Scan images manually after deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Scanning after deployment allows vulnerable containers to run.
✓
Use a container registry with integrated vulnerability scanning and enforce admission controls.
Why this is correct
Integrated scanning and admission control prevent vulnerable images from being deployed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Rely on the developer's assurance that images are secure.
Why it's wrong here
Developer assurance is not a security control.
✗
Use a runtime security tool.
Why it's wrong here
Runtime tools detect attacks but do not prevent vulnerable images from being deployed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between pre-deployment controls (image scanning + admission) and runtime controls, so candidates mistakenly choose runtime tools (Option D) thinking they prevent vulnerabilities, when in fact runtime tools only detect active exploits after deployment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Admission controllers in Kubernetes intercept API requests to create pods and can evaluate image scan results via webhooks; for example, OPA Gatekeeper can enforce policies that reject pods if the image's vulnerability score exceeds a threshold (e.g., CVSS >= 7.0). Container registries like Harbor or Docker Hub can automatically scan images on push and store metadata (e.g., CVE lists) in the image manifest, which admission controllers query via annotations or external APIs. This integration ensures that even if a developer pushes a vulnerable image, the cluster will refuse to run it, closing the gap between image creation and deployment.
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.
Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security — This question tests Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a container registry with integrated vulnerability scanning and enforce admission controls. — Option B is correct because integrating vulnerability scanning into the container registry (e.g., using tools like Trivy, Clair, or Amazon ECR scanning) combined with admission controllers (e.g., OPA/Gatekeeper or Kyverno) allows automated scanning of images at rest and blocks deployments of non-compliant images before they enter the cluster. This shift-left approach ensures that only images passing security policies are admitted, preventing vulnerable images from reaching production.
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.
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Question Discussion
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