- A
Deploying a third-party vulnerability scanner on each VM
Why wrong: This is agent-based, not agentless.
- B
Agentless scanning using cloud APIs
Agentless scanning leverages cloud provider APIs to assess VM vulnerabilities.
- C
Agent-based scanning with AWS Inspector
Why wrong: AWS Inspector requires an agent for network-based scans (though it also has agentless for OS-level).
- D
Using container image scanning in registry
Why wrong: This is for containers, not VMs.
Question 207 of 1,000
CCSP Cloud Security Operations Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud security operations. 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 security team is implementing vulnerability management in a hybrid cloud environment. They need to scan virtual machines without installing an agent. Which approach is most suitable?
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
✓
Agentless scanning using cloud APIs
Agentless scanning using cloud APIs (Option B) is the correct approach because it allows the security team to scan virtual machines without installing any software on the VMs themselves. This method leverages cloud provider APIs (e.g., AWS EC2 DescribeInstances, Azure VM REST APIs) to query the hypervisor or management plane for VM configurations, patch levels, and vulnerabilities, making it ideal for hybrid cloud environments where agent deployment may be impractical or restricted.
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.
- ✗
Deploying a third-party vulnerability scanner on each VM
Why it's wrong here
This is agent-based, not agentless.
- ✓
Agentless scanning using cloud APIs
Why this is correct
Agentless scanning leverages cloud provider APIs to assess VM vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Agent-based scanning with AWS Inspector
Why it's wrong here
AWS Inspector requires an agent for network-based scans (though it also has agentless for OS-level).
- ✗
Using container image scanning in registry
Why it's wrong here
This is for containers, not VMs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'agentless scanning' with 'agent-based scanning' or assume that container image scanning applies to VMs, but Cisco tests the specific requirement of scanning VMs without installing an agent, which only agentless cloud API-based scanning satisfies.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Agentless scanning works by using cloud provider APIs to access the hypervisor layer or management plane, where it can read VM disk files (e.g., VMDK, VHD) offline or query configuration databases like AWS Config or Azure Resource Graph. This approach avoids the performance overhead and management burden of agents but may miss runtime vulnerabilities or dynamic changes that occur after the snapshot is taken. In a hybrid cloud, agentless scanning can be centralized through a single tool that integrates with multiple cloud APIs, such as Qualys or Tenable, which support both AWS and Azure without per-VM agents.
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 Security Operations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Cloud Security Operations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CCSP questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
Certified Cloud Security Professional CCSP study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CCSP practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CCSP practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security.
Cloud Security Operations practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Security Operations.
Legal, Risk, and Compliance practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Legal, Risk, and Compliance.
Legal, Risk and Compliance practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Legal, Risk and Compliance.
Cloud Data Security practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Data Security.
Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design.
Cloud Application Security practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Application Security.
Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design.
CCSP fundamentals practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to CCSP fundamentals.
CCSP scenario practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to CCSP scenario.
CCSP troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to CCSP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CCSP practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Security Operations — This question tests Cloud Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Agentless scanning using cloud APIs — Agentless scanning using cloud APIs (Option B) is the correct approach because it allows the security team to scan virtual machines without installing any software on the VMs themselves. This method leverages cloud provider APIs (e.g., AWS EC2 DescribeInstances, Azure VM REST APIs) to query the hypervisor or management plane for VM configurations, patch levels, and vulnerabilities, making it ideal for hybrid cloud environments where agent deployment may be impractical or restricted.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.