ISC Identity And Access Management Architecture Practice Question
In the context of the OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code flow, why is the 'client_secret' never sent to the user's browser?
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
✓
Because it must be kept confidential on the backend server.
The client secret is a shared secret between the Authorization Server and the application. If exposed to the browser, it can be easily extracted and used by attackers to impersonate the client.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Because the client secret is only used for PKCE.
Why it's wrong here
Client secret and PKCE are distinct security mechanisms.
- ✗
Because the browser does not support SSL.
Why it's wrong here
Browsers support TLS/SSL.
- ✓
Because it must be kept confidential on the backend server.
Why this is correct
Confidentiality of the secret is paramount to ensure trust in the client application.
- ✗
Because browsers block outbound requests with secrets.
Why it's wrong here
Browsers do not have a built-in block for sending secrets.
About these practice questions
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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 ISC 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 ISC exam.