CSSLP Secure Software Implementation Practice Question
When developing a microservice using gRPC, which mechanism is recommended for authenticating service-to-service communication?
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
✓
Mutual TLS (mTLS)
Mutual TLS (mTLS) ensures both the client and server verify each other's certificates, providing strong authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
HTTP Basic Auth
Why it's wrong here
Basic auth is not suitable for inter-service communication.
- ✓
Mutual TLS (mTLS)
Why this is correct
mTLS is the standard for gRPC service authentication.
- ✗
IP allow-listing
Why it's wrong here
IP spoofing makes this unreliable.
- ✗
Shared API keys in headers
Why it's wrong here
Managing shared keys at scale is complex and error-prone.
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.