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 TWO best practices help secure a cloud application's runtime environment?
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
✓
Use immutable infrastructure
Immutable infrastructure ensures that once a cloud application's runtime environment is deployed, it is never modified in place. Any change requires building a new image and redeploying, which eliminates configuration drift, reduces the attack surface, and prevents unauthorized modifications from persisting. This directly secures the runtime environment by enforcing a known-good state at all times.
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.
✓
Use immutable infrastructure
Why this is correct
Immutable infrastructure ensures that runtime environments are not modified after deployment, reducing drift and attack surface.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Implement host-based intrusion detection
Why it's wrong here
Host-based IDS is a security control at the host level, not specifically for application runtime.
✓
Run applications with least privilege
Why this is correct
Running with minimal privileges limits the impact of a compromise.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable automatic patching of dependencies
Why it's wrong here
Automatic patching is important but more related to maintenance than runtime security.
✗
Use container orchestration platform
Why it's wrong here
Container orchestration helps manage containers but is not a specific security practice for runtime environment.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between security controls that are preventive (like immutable infrastructure and least privilege) versus detective or reactive controls (like HIDS), leading candidates to mistakenly select host-based intrusion detection as a runtime security best practice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Immutable infrastructure relies on creating golden images (e.g., AMIs, container images) that are hardened and scanned before deployment. When a runtime environment needs an update, the entire instance or container is replaced rather than patched in place, ensuring that no unapproved changes or lingering vulnerabilities remain. In practice, this is often combined with infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform or CloudFormation to automate the replacement process, and it directly supports the principle of least privilege by ensuring that only the necessary components are included in the image.
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: Use immutable infrastructure — Immutable infrastructure ensures that once a cloud application's runtime environment is deployed, it is never modified in place. Any change requires building a new image and redeploying, which eliminates configuration drift, reduces the attack surface, and prevents unauthorized modifications from persisting. This directly secures the runtime environment by enforcing a known-good state at all times.
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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