CSSLP Secure Software Concepts Practice Question
Which TWO of the following actions support the 'Open Design' security principle?
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
✓
Publishing the system architecture for security review.
Open design suggests that security should not rely on the secrecy of the design or the algorithm itself (Kerckhoffs's principle).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Publishing the system architecture for security review.
Why this is correct
Transparency allows for peer review and finding flaws.
- ✓
Relying on standard, public cryptographic protocols like TLS.
Why this is correct
Public standards have been vetted by the community.
- ✗
Keeping the API endpoint documentation private.
Why it's wrong here
This is not related to open design.
- ✗
Hiding the source code from all development team members.
Why it's wrong here
This does not aid in security design analysis.
- ✗
Using a proprietary, secret encryption algorithm.
Why it's wrong here
This is 'security through obscurity', which is discouraged.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every CSSLP question from scratch — 198 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. 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.