Practice Free CCSK Exam Online Questions
Question #1
What is the primary benefit of Federated Identity Management in an enterprise environment?
- A . It allows single set credential access to multiple systems and services
- B . It encrypts data between multiple systems and services
- C . It segregates user permissions across different systems and services
- D . It enhances multi-factor authentication across all systems and services
Correct Answer: A
A
Explanation:
Federated Identity Management (FIM) is designed to allow users to access multiple, separate systems using a single set of credentials, usually managed through trust relationships between Identity Providers (IdPs) and Service Providers (SPs). This process enables Single Sign-On (SSO) across cloud and on-premise services, reducing password fatigue and improving administrative efficiency.
Key federation protocols such as SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect are standard in establishing secure identity federation. FIM is especially beneficial in hybrid and multi-cloud environments where users must access numerous services seamlessly.
This is emphasized in Domain 12: Identity, Entitlement, and Access Management of the CCSK guidance, which highlights how identity federation enhances user experience, improves security, and enables scalability.
Reference: CSA Security Guidance v4.0 C Domain 12: Identity, Entitlement, and Access Management CSA Cloud Controls Matrix v3.0.1 C IAM-06: Federation & Single Sign-On
A
Explanation:
Federated Identity Management (FIM) is designed to allow users to access multiple, separate systems using a single set of credentials, usually managed through trust relationships between Identity Providers (IdPs) and Service Providers (SPs). This process enables Single Sign-On (SSO) across cloud and on-premise services, reducing password fatigue and improving administrative efficiency.
Key federation protocols such as SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect are standard in establishing secure identity federation. FIM is especially beneficial in hybrid and multi-cloud environments where users must access numerous services seamlessly.
This is emphasized in Domain 12: Identity, Entitlement, and Access Management of the CCSK guidance, which highlights how identity federation enhances user experience, improves security, and enables scalability.
Reference: CSA Security Guidance v4.0 C Domain 12: Identity, Entitlement, and Access Management CSA Cloud Controls Matrix v3.0.1 C IAM-06: Federation & Single Sign-On
Question #2
Which of the following best describes an authoritative source in the context of identity management?
- A . A list of permissions assigned to different users
- B . A network resource that handles authorization requests
- C . A database containing all entitlements
- D . A trusted system holding accurate identity information
Correct Answer: D
D
Explanation:
An authoritative source in the context of identity management refers to a trusted system that contains accurate identity information. This system is considered the source of truth for identities, and other systems or services within the organization rely on it for the most up-to-date and verified identity details, such as usernames, attributes, roles, and permissions.
A list of permissions assigned to different users represents access control data but is not considered the authoritative source of identity. A network resource that handles authorization requests refers to authorization mechanisms but is not the authoritative source for identity. A database containing all entitlements could be part of an identity management system but is not necessarily the authoritative source for identity itself; it focuses more on access rights and entitlements.
D
Explanation:
An authoritative source in the context of identity management refers to a trusted system that contains accurate identity information. This system is considered the source of truth for identities, and other systems or services within the organization rely on it for the most up-to-date and verified identity details, such as usernames, attributes, roles, and permissions.
A list of permissions assigned to different users represents access control data but is not considered the authoritative source of identity. A network resource that handles authorization requests refers to authorization mechanisms but is not the authoritative source for identity. A database containing all entitlements could be part of an identity management system but is not necessarily the authoritative source for identity itself; it focuses more on access rights and entitlements.
Question #3
How does Infrastructure as Code (IaC) facilitate rapid recovery in cybersecurity?
- A . IaC is primarily used for designing network security policies
- B . IaC enables automated and consistent deployment of recovery environments
- C . IaC provides encryption and secure key management during recovery
- D . IaC automates incident detection and alerting mechanisms
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
Infrastructure as Code (IaC)facilitates rapid recovery in cybersecurity by enabling automated and consistent deployment of recovery environments. IaC allows organizations to define infrastructure configurations as code, which can be versioned, tested, and deployed quickly to rebuild environments after an incident, ensuring consistency and reducing recovery time.
From theCCSK v5.0 Study Guide, Domain 11 (Incident Response and Recovery), Section 11.4:
“Infrastructure as Code (IaC) enhances rapid recovery by allowing organizations to automate the deployment of infrastructure and applications. By defining recovery environments as code, organizations can quickly and consistently rebuild systems after a security incident, minimizing downtime and ensuring operational continuity.”
Option B (IaC enables automated and consistent deployment of recovery environments) is the correct answer.
Option A (IaC is primarily used for designing network security policies) is incorrect because IaC focuses on infrastructure deployment, not policy design.
Option C (IaC provides encryption and secure key management) is incorrect because IaC does not directly handle encryption or key management.
Option D (IaC automates incident detection and alerting) is incorrect because IaC is not used for detection or alerting.
Reference: CCSK v5.0 Study Guide, Domain 11, Section 11.4: Infrastructure as Code in Recovery.
B
Explanation:
Infrastructure as Code (IaC)facilitates rapid recovery in cybersecurity by enabling automated and consistent deployment of recovery environments. IaC allows organizations to define infrastructure configurations as code, which can be versioned, tested, and deployed quickly to rebuild environments after an incident, ensuring consistency and reducing recovery time.
From theCCSK v5.0 Study Guide, Domain 11 (Incident Response and Recovery), Section 11.4:
“Infrastructure as Code (IaC) enhances rapid recovery by allowing organizations to automate the deployment of infrastructure and applications. By defining recovery environments as code, organizations can quickly and consistently rebuild systems after a security incident, minimizing downtime and ensuring operational continuity.”
Option B (IaC enables automated and consistent deployment of recovery environments) is the correct answer.
Option A (IaC is primarily used for designing network security policies) is incorrect because IaC focuses on infrastructure deployment, not policy design.
Option C (IaC provides encryption and secure key management) is incorrect because IaC does not directly handle encryption or key management.
Option D (IaC automates incident detection and alerting) is incorrect because IaC is not used for detection or alerting.
Reference: CCSK v5.0 Study Guide, Domain 11, Section 11.4: Infrastructure as Code in Recovery.
Question #4
What are the essential characteristics of cloud computing as defined by the NIST model?
- A . Resource sharing, automated recovery, universal connectivity, distributed costs, fair pricing
- B . High availability, geographical distribution, scaled tenancy, continuous resourcing, market pricing
- C . On-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, measured service
- D . Equal access to dedicated hosting, isolated networks, scalability resources, and automated continuous provisioning
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) defines the essential characteristics of cloud computing as:
On-demand self-service: Users can provision and manage computing resources automatically without requiring human intervention from the service provider.
Broad network access: Cloud services are accessible over the network through standard mechanisms, enabling access from various devices and locations.
Resource pooling: Cloud providers pool computing resources to serve multiple consumers, with resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to demand.
Rapid elasticity: Cloud resources can be rapidly scaled up or down to meet varying demand.
Measured service: Cloud services are metered, and customers pay based on their usage, which allows for cost efficiency.
These characteristics define how cloud computing services are provided and accessed, focusing on flexibility, scalability, and efficiency.
C
Explanation:
The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) defines the essential characteristics of cloud computing as:
On-demand self-service: Users can provision and manage computing resources automatically without requiring human intervention from the service provider.
Broad network access: Cloud services are accessible over the network through standard mechanisms, enabling access from various devices and locations.
Resource pooling: Cloud providers pool computing resources to serve multiple consumers, with resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to demand.
Rapid elasticity: Cloud resources can be rapidly scaled up or down to meet varying demand.
Measured service: Cloud services are metered, and customers pay based on their usage, which allows for cost efficiency.
These characteristics define how cloud computing services are provided and accessed, focusing on flexibility, scalability, and efficiency.
Question #5
When mapping functions to lifecycle phases, which functions are required to successfully process data?
- A . Create, Store, Use, and Share
- B . Create and Store
- C . Create and Use
- D . Create, Store, and Use
- E . Create, Use, Store, and Delete
Correct Answer: A
Question #6
If there are gaps in network logging data, what can you do?
- A . Nothing. There are simply limitations around the data that can be logged in the cloud.
- B . Ask the cloud provider to open more ports.
- C . You can instrument the technology stack with your own logging.
- D . Ask the cloud provider to close more ports.
- E . Nothing. The cloud provider must make the information available.
Correct Answer: C
Question #7
In cloud environments, why are Management Plane Logs indispensable for security monitoring?
- A . They provide real-time threat detection and response
- B . They detail the network traffic between cloud services
- C . They track cloud administrative activities
- D . They report on user activities within applications
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
Management Plane Logs are indispensable for security monitoring because they track administrative activities related to the management of cloud resources. These logs capture actions such as user logins, configuration changes, access control modifications, and resource provisioning or decommissioning. By monitoring these logs, organizations can detect unauthorized or suspicious administrative actions, ensuring that only authorized personnel are making changes to critical cloud resources. This helps prevent configuration errors, privilege escalation, and potential attacks targeting the management plane.
Other options refer to different aspects of security monitoring but are not specifically related to the role of Management Plane Logs.
C
Explanation:
Management Plane Logs are indispensable for security monitoring because they track administrative activities related to the management of cloud resources. These logs capture actions such as user logins, configuration changes, access control modifications, and resource provisioning or decommissioning. By monitoring these logs, organizations can detect unauthorized or suspicious administrative actions, ensuring that only authorized personnel are making changes to critical cloud resources. This helps prevent configuration errors, privilege escalation, and potential attacks targeting the management plane.
Other options refer to different aspects of security monitoring but are not specifically related to the role of Management Plane Logs.
Question #8
What are the most important practices for reducing vulnerabilities in virtual machines (VMs) in a cloud environment?
- A . Disabling unnecessary VM services and using containers
- B . Encryption for data at rest and software bill of materials
- C . Using secure base images, patch and configuration management
- D . Network isolation and monitoring
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
To reduce vulnerabilities in virtual machines (VMs) in a cloud environment, it is critical to use secure base images that are free from known vulnerabilities, ensure regular patching to fix any discovered security issues, and implement configuration management to ensure that VMs are properly configured according to security best practices. This combination of practices ensures that VMs are both secure from the start and remain secure over time as new vulnerabilities are discovered.
Disabling unnecessary VM services and using containers is a good security practice but does not directly address vulnerabilities in VMs specifically. Encryption and SBOM is important for securing data and understanding dependencies but does not specifically focus on reducing vulnerabilities in VMs. Network isolation and monitoring are key network security practices but do not directly address the security of the VMs themselves.
C
Explanation:
To reduce vulnerabilities in virtual machines (VMs) in a cloud environment, it is critical to use secure base images that are free from known vulnerabilities, ensure regular patching to fix any discovered security issues, and implement configuration management to ensure that VMs are properly configured according to security best practices. This combination of practices ensures that VMs are both secure from the start and remain secure over time as new vulnerabilities are discovered.
Disabling unnecessary VM services and using containers is a good security practice but does not directly address vulnerabilities in VMs specifically. Encryption and SBOM is important for securing data and understanding dependencies but does not specifically focus on reducing vulnerabilities in VMs. Network isolation and monitoring are key network security practices but do not directly address the security of the VMs themselves.
Question #9
Which strategy is critical for securing containers at the image creation stage?
- A . Implementing network segmentation
- B . Using secure, approved base images
- C . Regularly updating repository software
- D . Enforcing runtime protection measures
Correct Answer: B
B
Explanation:
Securing containers begins at the image creation stage, and one of the most critical strategies at this point is ensuring that only secure and approved base images are used. Container images form the foundation of the runtime environment, and if a base image is compromised, every container derived from it will inherit that vulnerability.
The CSA Security Guidance v4.0 under Domain 8: Virtualization and Containers stresses:
“The use of trusted and validated base images is critical in preventing the introduction of vulnerabilities during the image build process. Organizations must ensure that all base images are sourced from authorized registries and are continuously verified for security and compliance.”
(CSA Security Guidance v4.0, Domain 8: Virtualization and Containers)
Furthermore, the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) under VIR-06 supports this principle:
“Ensure that container images used in the environment are created from secure, validated, and approved sources. Prevent use of untrusted third-party containers to mitigate risk.”
Why not the other options?
B
Explanation:
Securing containers begins at the image creation stage, and one of the most critical strategies at this point is ensuring that only secure and approved base images are used. Container images form the foundation of the runtime environment, and if a base image is compromised, every container derived from it will inherit that vulnerability.
The CSA Security Guidance v4.0 under Domain 8: Virtualization and Containers stresses:
“The use of trusted and validated base images is critical in preventing the introduction of vulnerabilities during the image build process. Organizations must ensure that all base images are sourced from authorized registries and are continuously verified for security and compliance.”
(CSA Security Guidance v4.0, Domain 8: Virtualization and Containers)
Furthermore, the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) under VIR-06 supports this principle:
“Ensure that container images used in the environment are created from secure, validated, and approved sources. Prevent use of untrusted third-party containers to mitigate risk.”
Why not the other options?
Question #10
Which resilience tool helps distribute network or application traffic across multiple servers to ensure reliability and availability?
- A . Redundancy
- B . Auto-scaling
- C . Load balancing
- D . Failover
Correct Answer: C
C
Explanation:
Load balancing is a key resilience strategy in both traditional and cloud environments. It evenly distributes network or application traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server becomes a point of failure or overloaded, thereby improving system availability, performance, and fault tolerance.
In cloud infrastructure, load balancers may work at various OSI layers (Layer 4 or Layer 7) and are often integrated into cloud platforms as managed services (e.g., AWS Elastic Load Balancer or Azure Load Balancer). They play a critical role in mitigating risks like traffic spikes, system failure, or regional outages.
This technique is described in Domain 7: Infrastructure Security of the CCSK guidance, which highlights tools like load balancing, redundant systems, and failover mechanisms to support cloud resilience and availability.
Reference: CSA Security Guidance v4.0 C Domain 7: Infrastructure Security
C
Explanation:
Load balancing is a key resilience strategy in both traditional and cloud environments. It evenly distributes network or application traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server becomes a point of failure or overloaded, thereby improving system availability, performance, and fault tolerance.
In cloud infrastructure, load balancers may work at various OSI layers (Layer 4 or Layer 7) and are often integrated into cloud platforms as managed services (e.g., AWS Elastic Load Balancer or Azure Load Balancer). They play a critical role in mitigating risks like traffic spikes, system failure, or regional outages.
This technique is described in Domain 7: Infrastructure Security of the CCSK guidance, which highlights tools like load balancing, redundant systems, and failover mechanisms to support cloud resilience and availability.
Reference: CSA Security Guidance v4.0 C Domain 7: Infrastructure Security