ISC Systems Security Engineering Foundations Practice Question
When applying NIST SP 800-160 Systems Security Engineering principles, which THREE activities are critical during the 'System Design' phase to ensure confidentiality and integrity?
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
✓
Identifying security-relevant system components
System design involves defining architectural components, securing interfaces, and establishing trust boundaries.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Developing incident response plans
Why it's wrong here
This is part of the operational lifecycle, not the design phase.
- ✓
Identifying security-relevant system components
Why this is correct
Identifying components helps focus security controls where they are most needed.
- ✓
Specifying security-enforcing interfaces
Why this is correct
Interfaces are common attack vectors that require specific design attention.
- ✗
Performing final penetration testing
Why it's wrong here
Testing occurs after design and implementation, not during design.
- ✓
Defining system trust boundaries
Why this is correct
Trust boundaries are essential to limit the propagation of threats.
About these practice questions
This ISC question is part of Courseiva's 209-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam 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 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.