Free Practice Questions for Cloud Security Alliance CCSK Exam

MFA enhances security by requiring multiple independent forms of authentication, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access. Reference: [Security Guidance v5, Domain 5 - IAM]

A key benefit ofSoftware-Defined Networking (SDN)is that it allows networks to bedynamically configured and managed through software. SDN separates the control plane from the data plane, enabling centralized management and programmable network configurations, which improves flexibility and scalability in cloud environments.

From theCCSK v5.0 Study Guide, Domain 9 (Network Security), Section 9.3:

“Software-Defined Networking (SDN) enables dynamic configuration and management of networks through software, decoupling the control plane from the data plane. This allows organizations to programmatically adjust network policies and traffic flows, improving agility and scalability in cloud environments.”

Option C (SDN allows networks to be dynamically configured and managed through software) is the correct answer.

Option A (Hardware-based solution) is incorrect because SDN is software-based.

Option B (Eliminates physical devices) is incorrect because SDN still relies on physical infrastructure.

Option D (Focused on firewalls) is incorrect because SDN’s primary benefit is flexibility, not firewalls.

A governance hierarchy provides a structured approach to managing cloud services, ensuring policies and controls are effectively enforced. Reference: [Security Guidance v5, Domain 2 - Cloud Governance]

The shift-left approach in software development refers to integrating security measures early in the development process, rather than waiting until later stages (such as post-deployment) to address security issues. By shifting security "left" in the software development lifecycle, teams can identify and address potential vulnerabilities and risks early, reducing costs and improving the overall security of the application.

Cascading log architecture enables centralized collection of logs from various sources, enhancing visibility and simplifying security monitoring in hybrid environments. Reference: [Security Guidance v5, Domain 6 - Security Monitoring]

Zero Trust (ZT) security architectureis amodern cloud security approachthat operates on the principle of"Never Trust, Always Verify."

Primary Benefits of Zero Trust in Cloud:

Minimizes Attack Surface

Traditional security modelsassume trust within an internal network.

Zero Trust eliminates implicit trustand enforcescontinuous verification of user identities.

Reduces the risk ofdata breaches, insider threats, and lateral movement attacks.

Strong Authentication & Access Controls

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) & Just-in-Time (JIT) accessare mandatory inZero Trust models.

Usescontext-based access policies (device, location, behavior analytics)to enforceadaptive security.

Micro-Segmentation & Least Privilege Access

Restricts access to only necessary applications, minimizing lateral movement in cloud environments.

Micro-segmentation isolates workloads, reducing the impact of breaches.

Cloud-Native Zero Trust Integration

Cloud providers(AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)offerZero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)solutions.

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)continuously scans cloud environments for security compliance.

This aligns with:

CCSK v5 - Security Guidance v4.0, Domain 12 (Identity, Entitlement, and Access Management)

Zero Trust Cloud Security Architecture (CSA Zero Trust Working Group)​.