The answer is using minimal base images such as Alpine or scratch and running containers as a non-root user. These two practices directly reduce the attack surface and limit the potential for container breakout, which is a core concern in container security best practices. A minimal base image eliminates unnecessary packages and libraries that could harbor vulnerabilities, while running as non-root ensures that even if an attacker compromises the container, they lack the privileges to escalate to the host system. On the CISSP exam, this topic appears in Domain 3 (Security Architecture and Engineering) and tests your understanding of secure configuration and isolation mechanisms. A common trap is confusing production hardening with debugging convenience—options like enabling debug ports or bind mounting the host filesystem are dangerously insecure. For a quick memory tip, think “lean and low”: keep the image lean (minimal base) and the user low (non-root).
CISSP Software Development Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of software development security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 of the following are best practices for securing containerized applications? (Select exactly 2.)
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
✓
Running the container process as a non-root user
Options A and D are correct. Dockerfile best practice includes running as non-root to limit container breakout. Using minimal base images reduces attack surface. Option B is wrong because debug ports should be disabled in production. Option C is wrong because clearing the certificate store breaks TLS communication. Option E is wrong because bind mounting the host's root filesystem is highly insecure.
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.
✗
Mounting the host filesystem to persist logs
Why it's wrong here
Mounting the host root filesystem gives container access to all host resources.
✓
Running the container process as a non-root user
Why this is correct
Non-root user reduces privilege escalation risk.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Cleaning the certificate store to prevent MITM
Why it's wrong here
Certificate store removal breaks HTTPS; instead, update certificates.
✗
Exposing port 22 for SSH debugging in production
Why it's wrong here
SSH is not recommended; use exec commands instead.
✓
Using minimal base images such as Alpine or scratch
Why this is correct
Minimal images reduce the 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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
SSH is not recommended; use exec commands instead.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Software Development Security — This question tests Software Development Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Running the container process as a non-root user — Options A and D are correct. Dockerfile best practice includes running as non-root to limit container breakout. Using minimal base images reduces attack surface. Option B is wrong because debug ports should be disabled in production. Option C is wrong because clearing the certificate store breaks TLS communication. Option E is wrong because bind mounting the host's root filesystem is highly insecure.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is deploying a containerized application using Kubernetes. Which practice BEST ensures the security of the container images?
medium
✓ A.Scan images for vulnerabilities and use minimal base images
B.Restrict containers from running as root
C.Use the latest version of the base image without scanning
D.Enable container escape protection
Why A: Scanning container images for known vulnerabilities (e.g., using Trivy, Clair, or Snyk) and using minimal base images (e.g., Alpine or distroless) directly reduces the attack surface and eliminates unnecessary packages that may contain exploitable flaws. This practice is foundational to secure software supply chain management and aligns with the principle of least functionality in containerized environments.
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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.
Question Discussion
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