CSSLP Secure Software Lifecycle Management Practice Question
You are tasked with implementing a 'Shift-Left' approach in a legacy waterfall project transitioning to DevSecOps. What is the highest priority action for early security lifecycle management?
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
✓
Defining security requirements during the initial project planning/requirements phase.
Security requirements must be defined at the start of the project to ensure that security is built-in, rather than added as an afterthought in later phases.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Implementing automated DAST tools.
Why it's wrong here
DAST is a runtime tool, which is later in the lifecycle than requirements definition.
- ✗
Deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to protect the current environment.
Why it's wrong here
WAF is an operational control, not a secure lifecycle practice.
- ✗
Performing a manual code review on all legacy source code.
Why it's wrong here
While important, it does not address the overall lifecycle management strategy.
- ✓
Defining security requirements during the initial project planning/requirements phase.
Why this is correct
Requirement phase is the earliest point to integrate security, providing the highest return on investment.
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.