- A
Post-deployment penetration testing
Why wrong: Post-deployment testing is reactive, not shift-left.
- B
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security scanning
IaC scanning prevents misconfigurations before provisioning.
- C
Annual security awareness training
Why wrong: Training is important but not a direct component of SDLC security.
- D
Threat modeling during the design phase
Threat modeling identifies risks early.
- E
Automated SAST and DAST in the CI/CD pipeline
Automated testing in CI/CD catches vulnerabilities before deployment.
Question 952 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.
Which THREE of the following are key components of a secure cloud SDLC that support shift-left security? (Select THREE)
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
✓
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security scanning
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security scanning is a key component of shift-left security because it allows teams to detect misconfigurations and compliance violations in cloud templates (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) before any resources are provisioned. By integrating scanners like Checkov or tfsec into the development pipeline, security issues are identified and remediated during coding, not after deployment, which reduces risk and cost.
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.
- ✗
Post-deployment penetration testing
Why it's wrong here
Post-deployment testing is reactive, not shift-left.
- ✓
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security scanning
Why this is correct
IaC scanning prevents misconfigurations before provisioning.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Annual security awareness training
Why it's wrong here
Training is important but not a direct component of SDLC security.
- ✓
Threat modeling during the design phase
Why this is correct
Threat modeling identifies risks early.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Automated SAST and DAST in the CI/CD pipeline
Why this is correct
Automated testing in CI/CD catches vulnerabilities before deployment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'shift-left' (pre-deployment) and 'shift-right' (post-deployment) activities, so candidates mistakenly select post-deployment penetration testing (A) because they think all security testing is shift-left, but the key is that shift-left specifically means moving security earlier in the lifecycle, not after deployment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Shift-left security relies on embedding automated security controls as early as possible in the SDLC. For IaC, this means using static analysis tools that parse HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language) or JSON/YAML templates to check for insecure defaults, such as open security groups (e.g., 0.0.0.0/0 on port 22) or unencrypted S3 buckets, often referencing benchmarks like the CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark. In a real-world scenario, a developer might commit a Terraform file that accidentally exposes a database to the internet; an IaC scanner in the CI/CD pipeline would catch this before the `terraform apply` command runs, preventing a costly data breach.
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: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security scanning — Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security scanning is a key component of shift-left security because it allows teams to detect misconfigurations and compliance violations in cloud templates (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) before any resources are provisioned. By integrating scanners like Checkov or tfsec into the development pipeline, security issues are identified and remediated during coding, not after deployment, which reduces risk and cost.
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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