Free Practice Questions for Cloud Security Alliance CCZT Exam

A key architectural consideration that needs to be taken into account while deploying SDP is how SDP deployment fits into existing network topologies and technologies. This is because SDP deployment may require changes or adaptations to the existing network infrastructure, such as routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, etc. SDP deployment may also affect the network performance, availability, scalability, and resilience. Therefore, it is important to assess the impact and compatibility of SDP deployment with the existing network topologies and technologies, and to plan and design the SDP deployment accordingly.

References = Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) - Cloud Security Alliance, Zero Trust Training (ZTT) - Module 7: Network Infrastructure and SDP

The essential components of an organization’s ongoing risk analysis are assessment frequency, metrics, and data. Assessment frequency refers to how often the organization conducts risk assessments to monitor and measure the effectiveness of the zero trust architecture and policies. Metrics refer to the quantitative and qualitative indicators that are used to evaluate the security posture, performance, and compliance of the zero trust architecture. Data refers to the information that is collected, analyzed, and reported from various sources, such as telemetry, logs, audits, and feedback, to support risk analysis and decision making.

References =

Zero Trust Planning - Cloud Security Alliance, section “Monitor & Measure”

How to improve risk management using Zero Trust architecture | Microsoft Security Blog, section “Monitoring and reporting”

Zero Trust Adoption: Managing Risk with Cybersecurity Engineering and Adaptive Risk Assessment - SEI Blog, section “Continuous Monitoring and Improvement”

In a ZTA, a policy decision point (PDP) is a logical component that evaluates the incoming signals from an entity requesting access to a resource against a set of access determination criteria, such as identity, context, device, location, and behavior1. A PDP then makes a decision to grant or deny access, or to request additional information or verification, based on the policies defined by the policy administrator1. A policy enforcement point (PEP) is a logical component that uses the incoming signals from the PDP to open or close a connection between the entity and the resource1. A PEP acts as a gateway or intermediary that enforces the decision made by the PDP and prevents unauthorized or risky access2.

References =

Zero Trust Architecture | NIST

Policy Enforcement Point (PEP) - Pomerium

The first step that organizations should take to strengthen access requirements and protect their resources from unauthorized access by potential cyber threats is to understand and identify the data and assets that need to be protected. This step involves conducting a data and asset inventory and classification, which helps to determine the value, sensitivity, ownership, and location of the data and assets. By understanding and identifying the data and assets that need to be protected, organizations can define the appropriate access policies and controls based on the Zero Trust principles of never trust, always verify, and assume breach.

References = Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) - Cloud Security Alliance, Zero Trust Training (ZTT) - Module 2: Data and Asset Classification

In a continual improvement model, policy administrators are the ones who maintain the ZT policies. Policy administrators are ZTA policy entities that are responsible for crafting and maintaining the policies that govern the access to resources in a ZT environment1. Policy administrators define the rules and conditions that specify who, what, when, where, and how an entity can access a resource, based on the principle of least privilege2. Policy administrators also update and review the policies periodically to ensure they are aligned with the changing business and security requirements3.

References =

Zero Trust Architecture | NIST

Zero Trust Architecture: Policy Engine and Policy Administrator

Zero Trust Architecture: Policy Administration

For a successful implementation of Zero Trust security, planning and aligning incident and response management processes with existing access procedures are crucial. These processes ensure that the organization is prepared to effectively respond to security incidents and breaches, minimizing potential impacts. Aligning these processes with Zero Trust principles enhances the organization's resilience and ability to quickly adapt to threats, maintaining the integrity and availability of its systems and data​​.

ZTA planning can improve the developer experience by streamlining access provisioning to deployment environments. This means that developers can access the resources and services they need to deploy their applications in a fast and secure manner, without having to go through complex and manual processes. ZTA planning can also help to automate and orchestrate the access provisioning using dynamic and granular policies based on the context and attributes of the developers, devices, and applications.

References = Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) - Cloud Security Alliance, Zero Trust Training (ZTT) - Module 10: ZTA Planning and Implementation

The scope of the target state definition in Zero Trust planning is significantly influenced by an organization's risk appetite. This entails a strategic evaluation of the level of risk an organization is willing to accept in pursuit of its objectives. Continuous authentication and authorization, integral to Zero Trust, adapt to the dynamic state of threats and the organization's risk posture, ensuring that authorization decisions align with the prevailing risk appetite and the changing security landscape​​.