Free CSSLP Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance Practice Test 2026 — ISC² CBK Questions

Last updated: May 2026 · Aligned with the current ISC² CSSLP CBK · 12% of the exam

This free CSSLP Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance practice test covers hardening deployments and runtime — secure configuration, secrets management, logging and monitoring, incident response, patching, and end-of-life planning. Each question includes a detailed explanation with secure-SDLC and AppSec context — perfect for ISC² CSSLP exam prep.

Key Topics in CSSLP Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

10 Free CSSLP Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance Practice Questions with Answers

Each question below includes 4 answer options, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation. These are real questions from the FlashGenius CSSLP question bank for the Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance domain (12% of the exam).

Sample Question 1 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

A financial services company is deploying a new application in a cloud environment. The company has a strong DevSecOps culture and wants to ensure that security is integrated into their CI/CD pipeline. Which of the following practices would best help the company identify vulnerabilities early in the deployment process?

  1. A. Implementing a static application security testing (SAST) tool in the build phase. (Correct answer)
  2. B. Conducting manual penetration testing after deployment.
  3. C. Relying on network firewalls to protect the application.
  4. D. Performing regular vulnerability scans in the production environment.

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Implementing a static application security testing (SAST) tool in the build phase allows developers to identify and fix vulnerabilities early in the software development lifecycle, aligning with DevSecOps practices.

Sample Question 2 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

An organization is using a third-party open-source library in its application. To manage risks associated with supply chain security, what is the most effective approach the organization should take?

  1. A. Periodically check for updates to the library and apply them immediately.
  2. B. Conduct a comprehensive security assessment of the library before integration.
  3. C. Rely solely on the library's documentation for security information.
  4. D. Implement a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) to track the library and its dependencies. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Implementing a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) allows the organization to track all components and dependencies, facilitating better risk management and quick response to vulnerabilities.

Sample Question 3 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

A healthcare organization must comply with regulatory requirements for patient data protection. As part of their software maintenance strategy, what should be prioritized to ensure ongoing compliance?

  1. A. Regularly updating the software to the latest version.
  2. B. Implementing a robust logging and monitoring system.
  3. C. Conducting annual security training for developers.
  4. D. Performing periodic security audits and assessments. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Performing periodic security audits and assessments helps the organization identify compliance gaps and vulnerabilities, ensuring that the software continues to meet regulatory requirements.

Sample Question 4 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

During a threat modeling session for a new web application, the development team identifies a potential threat involving unauthorized data access. What should be the team's next step to mitigate this threat?

  1. A. Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to block malicious traffic.
  2. B. Develop a detailed incident response plan.
  3. C. Design and implement proper access controls and data encryption. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Perform a cost-benefit analysis of potential security measures.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Designing and implementing proper access controls and data encryption directly addresses the identified threat of unauthorized data access, providing a proactive security measure.

Sample Question 5 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

A company is transitioning from a traditional software development lifecycle to a DevSecOps model. Which of the following changes is most critical to successfully integrate security into the new model?

  1. A. Increasing the frequency of security awareness training.
  2. B. Embedding security champions within development teams. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Outsourcing security testing to third-party vendors.
  4. D. Reducing the number of security tools to simplify processes.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Embedding security champions within development teams ensures that security is considered throughout the development process, which is crucial for a successful DevSecOps transition.

Sample Question 6 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

A financial institution is deploying a new online banking application. During the deployment phase, the security team identifies a potential vulnerability in the third-party library used for encryption. What should be the BEST next step to ensure secure software deployment?

  1. A. Deploy the application and schedule a patch for the vulnerability.
  2. B. Conduct a risk assessment to evaluate the impact of the vulnerability. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Replace the third-party library with an alternative that is verified as secure.
  4. D. Notify the third-party vendor and wait for a patch before proceeding.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Conducting a risk assessment (B) is the best next step as it allows the organization to evaluate the impact and likelihood of the vulnerability being exploited. This aligns with risk-based decision-making. Deploying the application with a known vulnerability (A) is reckless. Replacing the library (C) may be a solution but requires risk assessment first. Waiting for a patch (D) could delay deployment unnecessarily without understanding the risk.

Sample Question 7 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

During the operations phase of a cloud-based application, the DevOps team is tasked with ensuring compliance with new data protection regulations. Which of the following actions would BEST address this requirement?

  1. A. Implement logging and monitoring for all application activities.
  2. B. Review and update the application's data handling procedures. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Conduct a penetration test to identify security vulnerabilities.
  4. D. Encrypt all data at rest and in transit within the application.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Reviewing and updating the application's data handling procedures (B) directly addresses compliance with data protection regulations, ensuring that the application meets the required standards. Logging and monitoring (A) are important but do not directly address compliance. Penetration testing (C) is useful for vulnerability identification but not specifically for compliance. Encrypting data (D) is a good practice but may not cover all compliance requirements.

Sample Question 8 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

A software development company is maintaining a legacy system that is critical for business operations. The system has known vulnerabilities that cannot be patched due to compatibility issues. What is the MOST strategic approach to mitigate the risk associated with these vulnerabilities?

  1. A. Implement network segmentation to isolate the legacy system. (Correct answer)
  2. B. Upgrade the system to a newer version that supports patches.
  3. C. Increase monitoring and alerting for any suspicious activities.
  4. D. Conduct regular security awareness training for employees.

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Implementing network segmentation (A) is a strategic approach to mitigate risk by isolating the legacy system, reducing the potential attack surface. Upgrading the system (B) is ideal but not feasible here due to compatibility issues. Increasing monitoring (C) is reactive and does not prevent exploitation. Security awareness training (D) is beneficial but does not directly address the technical risk.

Sample Question 9 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

In the maintenance phase of a secure software lifecycle, a company discovers that an open-source component in its application has a newly identified critical vulnerability. What should be the FIRST action to take in response to this discovery?

  1. A. Immediately remove the component from the application.
  2. B. Assess the impact of the vulnerability on the application. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Notify users of the potential security risk.
  4. D. Apply available patches to the component.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The first action should be to assess the impact of the vulnerability (B) to understand how it affects the application and the level of risk involved. Removing the component (A) could disrupt functionality and should not be done without assessment. Notifying users (C) is premature without knowing the impact. Applying patches (D) is a potential solution but requires assessment to ensure compatibility and effectiveness.

Sample Question 10 — Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

A company has integrated a new CI/CD pipeline for its software development process. To ensure secure deployment, which of the following practices should be prioritized?

  1. A. Automate static code analysis in the pipeline. (Correct answer)
  2. B. Conduct manual code reviews before each release.
  3. C. Implement a bug bounty program for external testing.
  4. D. Schedule quarterly security audits of the pipeline.

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Automating static code analysis (A) in the CI/CD pipeline ensures that security checks are consistently applied to every build, making it a priority for secure deployment. Manual code reviews (B) are valuable but less scalable in a CI/CD environment. Bug bounty programs (C) are useful but external and less controlled. Quarterly audits (D) are infrequent and may not catch issues in a timely manner.

How to Study CSSLP Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance

Combine these CSSLP Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance practice questions with the official ISC² CSSLP CBK guide and hands-on labs. The CSSLP exam emphasizes scenario reasoning, so always relate concepts back to real engineering decisions in your own projects — that applied understanding is what separates passing and failing scores.

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