The correct answer is to require different permissions for committing code versus deploying to production. This architectural principle enforces separation of duties in a CI/CD pipeline by ensuring that no single individual possesses the authority to both introduce and release code, thereby preventing unauthorized or malicious changes from reaching production without independent oversight. On the Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP exam, this concept tests your understanding of how to apply the principle of least privilege and dual control within automated workflows, a common trap being the mistaken belief that a single admin or manual approval alone satisfies separation. Remember the mnemonic “Commit vs. Deploy, Keep Roles Separate for Security’s Sake” to recall that distinct permissions, not shared roles or approvals, are the key to enforcing separation of duties in a CI/CD pipeline.
CISSP Software Development Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of software development 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.
To enforce separation of duties in a CI/CD pipeline, what architectural principle should be implemented?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Require different permissions for committing code vs. deploying to production
Option B is correct because requiring different permissions for code commit and deployment enforces separation. Option A is wrong because a single admin violates separation. Option C is wrong because allowing all developers to deploy combines duties. Option D is wrong because manual approval alone does not enforce separate roles.
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.
✗
Allow all developers to deploy their own code to production
Why it's wrong here
Violates separation of duties.
✗
Use a single approval gate without role distinction
Why it's wrong here
Approval gates are not sufficient; role-based separation is needed.
✗
Grant a single DevOps team full access to both source code and deployment
Why it's wrong here
This does not separate duties.
✓
Require different permissions for committing code vs. deploying to production
Why this is correct
Separates responsibilities between development and operations.
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.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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: Require different permissions for committing code vs. deploying to production — Option B is correct because requiring different permissions for code commit and deployment enforces separation. Option A is wrong because a single admin violates separation. Option C is wrong because allowing all developers to deploy combines duties. Option D is wrong because manual approval alone does not enforce separate roles.
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.
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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