CISSP Security Architecture and Engineering Practice Question
A security architect is evaluating hypervisor security for a multi-tenant cloud environment. Which type of hypervisor is considered more secure because it runs directly on the hardware without a host operating system, reducing the attack surface?
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
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Type 1 hypervisor
Type 1 hypervisors (bare-metal) run directly on hardware, eliminating the OS layer that could be exploited. Examples: VMware ESXi, Hyper-V.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Virtual machine monitor
Why it's wrong here
A Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) is a generic term for the software component that creates and runs virtual machines. While a hypervisor is a type of VMM, this term is too broad and does not specify the architectural type (e.g., Type 1 or Type 2) that is crucial for evaluating specific security implications. A security architect needs to consider the specific implementation details, which a generic VMM designation does not provide.
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Containers
Why it's wrong here
Containers are a form of operating-system-level virtualization where multiple isolated user-space instances (containers) share the host operating system's kernel. Unlike hypervisors, containers do not virtualize hardware or run separate guest operating systems, meaning they lack the strong isolation boundaries provided by a hypervisor. Therefore, containers represent a fundamentally different virtualization technology with distinct security considerations, not a hypervisor type.
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Type 1 hypervisor
Why this is correct
A Type 1 hypervisor, also known as a bare-metal hypervisor, runs directly on the host hardware without an intervening operating system. This architecture provides a significantly reduced attack surface because it has a minimal codebase and fewer dependencies than a hypervisor running on a host OS. Its direct control over hardware resources and strong isolation capabilities make it the most secure choice for critical infrastructure and sensitive workloads.
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Type 2 hypervisor
Why it's wrong here
A Type 2 hypervisor, or hosted hypervisor, runs as an application on top of a conventional operating system. This architecture introduces additional layers, including the host OS, its drivers, and other applications, all of which can introduce potential vulnerabilities and expand the attack surface. The security of the virtualized environment becomes dependent on the security of the underlying host operating system, making it less secure for high-assurance environments.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISSP 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 CISSP exam.