CSSLP Secure Software Concepts Practice Question
When designing secure software, why is 'Economy of Mechanism' important?
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
✓
To minimize the attack surface by keeping the design simple.
Economy of mechanism suggests that designs should be as simple and small as possible to minimize the attack surface and make security easier to verify.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To lower the cost of hardware infrastructure.
Why it's wrong here
Economy of mechanism is about design simplicity, not hardware costs.
- ✓
To minimize the attack surface by keeping the design simple.
Why this is correct
Simplicity reduces the number of potential exploit vectors.
- ✗
To increase the lines of code for better functionality.
Why it's wrong here
More code leads to more complexity and more vulnerabilities.
- ✗
To ensure that the software is faster at runtime.
Why it's wrong here
Performance is not the primary driver for this security concept.
- ✗
To enable easier debugging for developers.
Why it's wrong here
While a side benefit, the goal is security, not just debugging.
About these practice questions
One of 198 original CSSLP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official (ISC)² exam blueprint
This CSSLP practice question is part of Courseiva's free (ISC)² 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 CSSLP exam.