JNCIA-DevOps Data Serialization Practice Question
When working with PyYAML in Python for Junos automation scripts, which THREE of the following practices enhance script security and robustness? (Choose three)
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
✓
Always using yaml.safe_load() instead of yaml.load() to prevent arbitrary code execution.
Using safe loading methods, verifying file existence, and handling scanner errors properly are best practices when processing external YAML configurations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Always using yaml.safe_load() instead of yaml.load() to prevent arbitrary code execution.
Why this is correct
Correct. yaml.safe_load() mitigates security vulnerabilities by restricting deserialization.
- ✓
Catching yaml.scanner.YAMLError exceptions to handle malformed configuration syntax gracefully.
Why this is correct
Correct. Catching parsing exceptions prevents script crashes on bad syntax.
- ✗
Storing unencrypted credentials directly inside YAML global anchors.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Credentials should never be hardcoded insecurely.
- ✗
Relying on yaml.load() to automatically execute embedded Python object constructors.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Executing arbitrary constructors is dangerous and discouraged.
- ✓
Using yaml.safe_dump() when generating output configurations for consistency.
Why this is correct
Correct. safe_dump ensures safe serialization of data structures.
About these practice questions
One of 307 original JNCIA-DevOps 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 Juniper Networks exam blueprint
This JNCIA-DevOps practice question is part of Courseiva's free Juniper Networks 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 JNCIA-DevOps exam.