CISSP Practice Questions: Software Development Security Domain

Published: June 9, 2025 | 5 min read

Test your CISSP knowledge with 5 practice questions from the Software Development Security domain. Includes detailed explanations and answers.

CISSP Practice Questions

Master the Software Development Security Domain

Test your knowledge in the Software Development Security domain with these 5 practice questions. Each question is designed to help you prepare for the CISSP certification exam with detailed explanations to reinforce your learning.

Question 1

A development team is using third-party libraries in their project. What should be a key security consideration when integrating these libraries?

A) Ensuring the libraries are open-source

B) Verifying the integrity and trustworthiness of the libraries

C) Using the latest version available

D) Checking that the libraries have no associated costs

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Verifying the integrity and trustworthiness of third-party libraries is crucial to ensure they do not introduce vulnerabilities or malicious code into the application.

Question 2

What is the primary reason for implementing threat modeling during the software development process?

A) To identify potential attackers and their goals

B) To schedule development tasks efficiently

C) To determine cost-saving opportunities

D) To improve application performance

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: The primary reason for implementing threat modeling is to identify potential attackers, their goals, and the methods they might use, allowing for the design of security measures to mitigate identified threats. While scheduling (B) and cost-saving (C) might benefit indirectly, they are not the focus. Performance (D) is not the primary goal of threat modeling.

Question 3

In a software development project, the team is considering using open-source components. What is a critical security practice they should adopt?

A) Ensure all components are from the same vendor.

B) Regularly update components to the latest versions.

C) Conduct a full security audit of each component before use.

D) Limit the use of open-source components to non-critical applications.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Regularly updating components ensures vulnerabilities are patched, reducing security risks. Option A does not address security, C is often impractical, and D limits the benefits of open-source without addressing security.

Question 4

When implementing secure coding practices, which of the following is the best method for preventing buffer overflow vulnerabilities?

A) Using dynamic memory allocation

B) Conducting code reviews

C) Employing input validation and bounds checking

D) Encrypting sensitive data

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: CORRECT: Employing input validation and bounds checking directly addresses buffer overflow vulnerabilities by ensuring data fits within allocated memory. OPTION A: Dynamic memory allocation does not inherently prevent buffer overflows. OPTION B: Code reviews are important but not specific to preventing buffer overflows. OPTION C: Correct answer. OPTION D: Encrypting data does not prevent buffer overflows.

Question 5

Your team is tasked with developing an application that must comply with ISO/IEC 27001 standards. What is the most critical initial step to align the software development process with this standard?

A) Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential threats.

B) Certify developers in ISO/IEC 27001 practices.

C) Schedule regular compliance audits throughout the development lifecycle.

D) Focus on encrypting all application data.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Option A is correct as conducting a risk assessment helps identify threats and vulnerabilities early, guiding the implementation of ISO/IEC 27001 controls. Option B is supportive but not foundational. Option C is necessary but secondary. Option D is a specific control, not a holistic strategy.

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About CISSP Certification

The CISSP certification validates your expertise in software development security and other critical domains. Our comprehensive practice questions are carefully crafted to mirror the actual exam experience and help you identify knowledge gaps before test day.

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