The SANS SEC488 Cloud Security Essentials Practice Exam prepares candidates for certification in cloud security. Topics include cloud architecture, threat detection, identity management, and security controls for cloud environments. Candidates are tested on their ability to secure cloud platforms, ...
1. Which of the following is the most critical first step in secure instance/virtual machine
deployment in the cloud?
a) Patching the operating system
b) Installing antivirus software
c) Configuring network security groups
d) Selecting a secure base image
Answer: d) Selecting a secure base image
Explanation: The most critical first step in secure instance or virtual machine deployment is
selecting a secure base image. This ensures that the foundation of the VM is free from
vulnerabilities, providing a secure starting point for further configuration and deployment.
2. What is the primary purpose of Configuration Management Tools in cloud security?
a) Monitoring network traffic
b) Automating patch management
c) Tracking and controlling changes in the environment
d) Encrypting data at rest
Answer: c) Tracking and controlling changes in the environment
Explanation: Configuration Management Tools are used primarily to track and control
changes in the environment. This helps ensure that configurations are consistent and secure,
reducing the risk of configuration drift that could lead to security vulnerabilities.
3. In the context of Image Management, why is it important to use hardened images?
a) They are easier to deploy.
b) They are optimized for performance.
c) They have unnecessary services disabled and security configurations pre-applied.
d) They are more cost-effective.
Answer: c) They have unnecessary services disabled and security configurations pre-applied.
Explanation: Hardened images are crucial in cloud security because they come pre-
configured with unnecessary services disabled and security settings applied, reducing the
attack surface and enhancing overall security.
4. Which of the following is a common security challenge when using Platform as a
Service (PaaS)?
a) Ensuring proper scaling of services
b) Managing underlying infrastructure
c) Securing the application code
d) Implementing multi-factor authentication
Answer: c) Securing the application code
Explanation: In PaaS environments, while the provider manages the underlying
infrastructure, the customer is responsible for securing their application code. This includes
addressing vulnerabilities and ensuring that secure coding practices are followed.
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5. Which cloud storage option provides the highest level of control over encryption
keys?
a) Cloud provider-managed encryption
b) Client-side encryption with customer-managed keys
c) Server-side encryption with cloud provider-managed keys
d) No encryption
Answer: b) Client-side encryption with customer-managed keys
Explanation: Client-side encryption with customer-managed keys offers the highest level of
control because the customer retains control over the encryption keys, ensuring that only they
can decrypt the data.
6. What is a key security consideration when deploying containers in the cloud?
a) Ensuring that containers are stateless
b) Keeping containers isolated from each other
c) Deploying containers in public networks
d) Using shared images for consistency
Answer: b) Keeping containers isolated from each other
Explanation: Container isolation is a key security consideration because it prevents one
compromised container from affecting others, thereby maintaining the overall security of the
containerized environment.
7. In the context of Threat Modeling, what is the primary objective?
a) To document system requirements
b) To identify potential threats and vulnerabilities
c) To design user-friendly applications
d) To optimize system performance
Answer: b) To identify potential threats and vulnerabilities
Explanation: The primary objective of Threat Modeling is to identify potential threats and
vulnerabilities in a system. This process helps in designing more secure systems by
anticipating and mitigating possible security risks.
8. Which of the following is an effective way to secure applications in a cloud
environment?
a) Disabling logging
b) Regularly updating libraries and frameworks
c) Limiting user access to application source code
d) Avoiding the use of encryption
Answer: b) Regularly updating libraries and frameworks
Explanation: Regularly updating libraries and frameworks is crucial for application security
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as it ensures that any known vulnerabilities in the components are patched, thereby reducing
the risk of exploitation.
9. What is a major security concern with Software as a Service (SaaS) applications?
a) Scalability
b) Data ownership and control
c) Server uptime
d) Performance monitoring
Answer: b) Data ownership and control
Explanation: Data ownership and control are significant security concerns with SaaS
applications because the service provider typically controls the data. Customers need to
understand the implications for data privacy and security.
10. In a cloud environment, what is a key benefit of using automated configuration
management tools?
a) They eliminate the need for security audits.
b) They provide real-time performance monitoring.
c) They ensure consistent security configurations across all environments.
d) They reduce the cost of cloud services.
Answer: c) They ensure consistent security configurations across all environments.
Explanation: Automated configuration management tools are vital for ensuring that security
configurations remain consistent across all environments, reducing the risk of
misconfigurations that could lead to security breaches.
Here are the next set of 70 MCQs for the SEC488: Cloud Security Essentials exam.
Compute and Configuration Management
11. Which of the following best describes the principle of least privilege in cloud
compute environments?
a) Providing all users with admin access
b) Ensuring users only have access to resources necessary for their role
c) Enabling full network access by default
d) Allowing unrestricted data sharing across instances
Answer: b) Ensuring users only have access to resources necessary for their role
Explanation: The principle of least privilege restricts users' access rights to the minimum
necessary to perform their job, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or actions.
12. What is the primary advantage of using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for
configuration management?
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a) Easier manual configuration of resources
b) Automated documentation of security policies
c) Enabling automated, consistent, and repeatable environment setups
d) Reducing the need for security patches
Answer: c) Enabling automated, consistent, and repeatable environment setups
Explanation: IaC allows for automated, consistent, and repeatable configurations, which
helps in maintaining a secure and reliable infrastructure across different environments.
Secure Instance/ Virtual Machine Deployment
13. Which method ensures that virtual machines (VMs) remain secure after
deployment?
a) Disabling automatic updates
b) Running applications as root
c) Regularly applying security patches and updates
d) Using default credentials
Answer: c) Regularly applying security patches and updates
Explanation: Regularly applying security patches and updates ensures that VMs are
protected from known vulnerabilities, maintaining their security over time.
14. What is the recommended approach to securing cloud instances against
unauthorized access?
a) Allowing SSH access to all users
b) Using default usernames and passwords
c) Configuring strong, unique SSH keys for access
d) Disabling encryption
Answer: c) Configuring strong, unique SSH keys for access
Explanation: Using strong, unique SSH keys enhances security by controlling access to
cloud instances, making it difficult for unauthorized users to gain entry.
Host Configuration Management
15. What is the benefit of using a host-based firewall in a cloud environment?
a) It allows unrestricted access to the host
b) It blocks all incoming traffic by default
c) It helps control and filter traffic to and from the host based on security policies
d) It eliminates the need for network security groups
Answer: c) It helps control and filter traffic to and from the host based on security policies
Explanation: A host-based firewall provides an additional layer of security by controlling
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