CISSP Security Architecture and Engineering Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security architecture and engineering. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 principles are fundamental to a defense-in-depth security architecture?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Diversity of defense
Options A and C are correct: Defense in depth relies on layered security controls (A) and diversity of defense (C) to ensure that if one layer fails, others still protect. Option B is incorrect because a single point of failure contradicts defense in depth. Option D (centralized logging) is a good practice but not a foundational principle. Option E (minimal user training) is counterproductive.
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.
✓
Diversity of defense
Why this is correct
Using different types of controls across layers reduces the risk of a common vulnerability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Centralized logging
Why it's wrong here
Centralized logging is a monitoring mechanism, not a core principle of defense in depth.
✗
Single point of failure
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth aims to eliminate single points of failure.
✓
Layered security controls
Why this is correct
Multiple layers prevent a single failure from compromising security.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Minimal user training
Why it's wrong here
User training is essential; minimal training undermines security.
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.
Security Architecture and Engineering — This question tests Security Architecture and Engineering — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Diversity of defense — Options A and C are correct: Defense in depth relies on layered security controls (A) and diversity of defense (C) to ensure that if one layer fails, others still protect. Option B is incorrect because a single point of failure contradicts defense in depth. Option D (centralized logging) is a good practice but not a foundational principle. Option E (minimal user training) is counterproductive.
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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