- A
Implement rate limiting to control the number of requests.
Rate limiting mitigates brute-force and DoS attacks.
- B
Validate and sanitize all input to the API.
Input validation prevents injection and other attacks.
- C
Return detailed error messages to help clients debug.
Why wrong: Detailed errors can expose stack traces or sensitive information.
- D
Disable encryption to improve performance.
Why wrong: Disabling encryption exposes data in transit.
- E
Use HTTP Basic Authentication without HTTPS.
Why wrong: Basic auth without encryption sends credentials in cleartext.
Question 171 of 1,000
mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
SSCP Rate limiting Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of rate limiting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: rate limiting. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO of the following are best practices for securing an application programming interface (API)?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Implement rate limiting to control the number of requests.
Options A and B are correct. Rate limiting prevents abuse and denial-of-service attacks, while input validation and sanitization prevent injection attacks. Option C (returning detailed error messages) can leak sensitive information to attackers. Option D (disabling encryption) exposes data in transit. Option E (using HTTP Basic Authentication without HTTPS) transmits credentials in plaintext.
Key principle: Rate limiting
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Implement rate limiting to control the number of requests.
Why this is correct
Rate limiting mitigates brute-force and DoS attacks.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Rate limiting
- ✓
Validate and sanitize all input to the API.
Why this is correct
Input validation prevents injection and other attacks.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Rate limiting
- ✗
Return detailed error messages to help clients debug.
Why it's wrong here
Detailed errors can expose stack traces or sensitive information.
- ✗
Disable encryption to improve performance.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling encryption exposes data in transit.
- ✗
Use HTTP Basic Authentication without HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
Basic auth without encryption sends credentials in cleartext.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Rate limiting
- Input validation
- Secure transmission
- Error handling
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Rate limiting
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review rate limiting, then practise related SSCP questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Rate limiting
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement rate limiting to control the number of requests. — Options A and B are correct. Rate limiting prevents abuse and denial-of-service attacks, while input validation and sanitization prevent injection attacks. Option C (returning detailed error messages) can leak sensitive information to attackers. Option D (disabling encryption) exposes data in transit. Option E (using HTTP Basic Authentication without HTTPS) transmits credentials in plaintext.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Review rate limiting, then practise related SSCP questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Rate limiting
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 SSCP exam.
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