- A
Set the password as an environment variable on the control node.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Environment variables can be exposed via logging or process listing; not a direct solution to verbose output.
- B
Store the password in a file with 0600 permissions and use lookup('file', ...).
Why wrong: Incorrect: Storing securely is good, but if the task prints the variable, it will still be logged in verbose output.
- C
Use the 'no_log: true' directive on the task.
Correct: 'no_log: true' suppresses logging of task input/output, protecting sensitive data.
- D
Use the 'ansible-vault encrypt_string' command and reference the variable from a vault file.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Vault encrypts the variable at rest, but if the task prints the decrypted value, it will appear in verbose logs.
How to Prevent Sensitive Data from Printing with no_log
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of implement advanced ansible automation. 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.
A team wants to ensure that a sensitive variable, such as a database password, is not printed when ansible-playbook runs with -v (verbose). What is the best method to achieve this?
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
Use the 'no_log: true' directive on the task.
Option C is correct because the `no_log: true` directive explicitly prevents Ansible from printing the value of any variable used in that task to the console, even when verbosity is increased with `-v`. This is the most direct and secure method to ensure sensitive data like passwords are not exposed in output logs, as it overrides the default logging behavior at the task level.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set the password as an environment variable on the control node.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Environment variables can be exposed via logging or process listing; not a direct solution to verbose output.
- ✗
Store the password in a file with 0600 permissions and use lookup('file', ...).
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Storing securely is good, but if the task prints the variable, it will still be logged in verbose output.
- ✓
Use the 'no_log: true' directive on the task.
Why this is correct
Correct: 'no_log: true' suppresses logging of task input/output, protecting sensitive data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the 'ansible-vault encrypt_string' command and reference the variable from a vault file.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Vault encrypts the variable at rest, but if the task prints the decrypted value, it will appear in verbose logs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the misconception that encrypting data at rest (e.g., with vault or file permissions) is sufficient to prevent exposure during execution, but the real risk is runtime output in verbose logs, which only `no_log: true` addresses.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect: Environment variables can be exposed via logging or process listing; not a direct solution to verbose output.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `no_log: true` sets a flag on the task's result object that instructs the Ansible callback plugins to mask the task's `stdout`, `stderr`, and `msg` fields with `***` before writing to the log or console. This is enforced at the callback level, meaning even custom callback plugins must respect this flag. A subtle behavior is that `no_log` applies to the entire task result, not just specific variables, so it can inadvertently hide non-sensitive output if used broadly; for finer control, you can use `no_log: true` only on specific parameters via the `loop_control` or by splitting tasks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the EX294 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX294 question test?
Implement advanced Ansible automation — This question tests Implement advanced Ansible automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the 'no_log: true' directive on the task. — Option C is correct because the `no_log: true` directive explicitly prevents Ansible from printing the value of any variable used in that task to the console, even when verbosity is increased with `-v`. This is the most direct and secure method to ensure sensitive data like passwords are not exposed in output logs, as it overrides the default logging behavior at the task level.
What should I do if I get this EX294 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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