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 security team is reviewing a cloud application's CI/CD pipeline. They want to ensure that only approved open-source libraries are used in production builds. Which approach best addresses this requirement?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement a software composition analysis (SCA) tool in the pipeline
A Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool is specifically designed to automatically scan open-source libraries for known vulnerabilities, licensing issues, and version compliance. By integrating SCA into the CI/CD pipeline, the team can enforce a policy that only approved libraries (e.g., those passing a security and license review) are allowed in production builds, blocking unapproved or vulnerable components before deployment.
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.
✗
Segment the build network to limit internet access
Why it's wrong here
Network segmentation does not prevent use of cached or previously approved libraries.
✗
Perform static code analysis after each build
Why it's wrong here
Static analysis checks custom code, not dependencies.
✓
Implement a software composition analysis (SCA) tool in the pipeline
Why this is correct
SCA identifies and blocks unapproved open-source components.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Require manual approval for all library updates
Why it's wrong here
Manual approval is slow and may be bypassed; automation is more reliable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between SAST (static code analysis), DAST (dynamic analysis), and SCA, expecting candidates to recognize that only SCA directly addresses the management and approval of third-party open-source components and their associated risks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SCA tools work by generating a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) from package manifests (e.g., pom.xml, package.json, requirements.txt) and cross-referencing each component against databases like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) or proprietary feeds. In a CI/CD pipeline, SCA can be configured to fail the build if a library has a known CVE with a CVSS score above a threshold or if its license (e.g., GPL) conflicts with corporate policy, providing an automated enforcement point before artifacts reach production.
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 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: Implement a software composition analysis (SCA) tool in the pipeline — A Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool is specifically designed to automatically scan open-source libraries for known vulnerabilities, licensing issues, and version compliance. By integrating SCA into the CI/CD pipeline, the team can enforce a policy that only approved libraries (e.g., those passing a security and license review) are allowed in production builds, blocking unapproved or vulnerable components before deployment.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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