AZ-400 Practice Question: Design and implement build and release pipelines
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement build and release pipelines. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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 practices help improve the security of container images in a CI/CD pipeline? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Sign container images to verify their integrity.
Options A and D are correct. Option A: Scanning images for vulnerabilities as part of the build process helps catch issues early. Option D: Using signed images ensures integrity and trust. Option B is wrong because using the 'latest' tag can lead to unpredictable updates; pinning to specific versions is more secure. Option C is wrong because storing images in a public registry exposes them to potential attacks; private registries are more secure. Option E is wrong because running containers as root is a security risk.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Run containers with root privileges to avoid permission issues.
Why it's wrong here
Running as root increases security vulnerabilities; use least privilege.
✗
Store container images in a public registry for easy access.
Why it's wrong here
Public registries increase risk of unauthorized access; private registries are more secure.
✓
Sign container images to verify their integrity.
Why this is correct
Image signing ensures that the image has not been tampered with.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Use the 'latest' tag for base images to always get the newest patches.
Why it's wrong here
'latest' tags are mutable and can introduce breaking changes; pinning to specific tags is recommended.
✓
Scan container images for vulnerabilities during the build.
Why this is correct
Vulnerability scanning identifies known issues before deployment.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-400 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related AZ-400 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Design and implement build and release pipelines — This question tests Design and implement build and release pipelines — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Sign container images to verify their integrity. — Options A and D are correct. Option A: Scanning images for vulnerabilities as part of the build process helps catch issues early. Option D: Using signed images ensures integrity and trust. Option B is wrong because using the 'latest' tag can lead to unpredictable updates; pinning to specific versions is more secure. Option C is wrong because storing images in a public registry exposes them to potential attacks; private registries are more secure. Option E is wrong because running containers as root is a security risk.
What should I do if I get this AZ-400 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related AZ-400 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Question Discussion
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