Free Cloud Security Alliance CCSK Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 8

Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) tools are designed to help organizations visualize, monitor, and manage the security of their data in the cloud. These tools help ensure that data is properly classified, protected, and compliant with relevant regulations and standards. DSPM tools typically provide capabilities like identifying and managing sensitive data, assessing security risks, and ensuring data security posture is aligned with best practices.

The other options are not the primary focus of DSPM tools:

Firewall management relates to network security rather than data security.

User activity monitoring is more about identity and access management or security information and event management (SIEM).

Encryption is important for data protection but is not the primary function of DSPM, which focuses more on data visibility and management.

The best way for organizations to establish a foundation for safeguarding data, upholding privacy, and meeting regulatory requirements in cloud applications is by integrating security at the architectural and design level. This approach ensures that security is built into the application from the start, rather than being added as an afterthought. By incorporating security features like encryption, access controls, and compliance measures during the design and development phases, organizations can better protect sensitive data, reduce vulnerabilities, and meet regulatory requirements more effectively.

While implementing encryption, multi-factor authentication, conducting audits, and deploying monitoring tools are also important, they are part of the overall security strategy rather than the foundational approach. Integrating security into the architecture ensures a more comprehensive, proactive security posture.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Large Language Models (LLMs), is significantly impacting IT and security by enablingautomation of threat detection and response. AI-driven tools can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, identify patterns indicative of threats, and respond faster than human operators, improving security operations efficiency and effectiveness.

From theCCSK v5.0 Study Guide, Domain 12 (Emerging Technologies), Section 12.4:

“AI and machine learning, including Large Language Models, are transforming cloud security by automating threat detection and response. These technologies can process and analyze security logs, network traffic, and user behavior to identify anomalies and potential threats, enabling rapid incident response and reducing the burden on security teams.”

Option C (Automating threat detection and response) is the correct answer.

Option A (Eliminating the need for encryption) is incorrect because AI does not eliminate the need for encryption; encryption remains a fundamental security control.

Option B (Replacing all IT personnel) is incorrect because AI augments, rather than replaces, IT and security personnel.

Option D (Standardizing software development languages) is incorrect because AI does not primarily focus on standardizing development languages.

Correct Option: B. To provide core components for VM images

In cloud computing and virtualization, VM image sources serve as base templates used to build new virtual machine instances. These image sources typically contain the core operating system, necessary drivers, and pre-installed software configurations that allow users to deploy environments quickly and consistently.

From the CSA Security Guidance v4.0 – Domain 8: Virtualization and Containers:

"The VM image repository (or image store) contains templates from which new VMs are instantiated. These base images include the core operating system and predefined settings. VM image sources ensure that instances can be created consistently and securely."

— Domain 8: Virtualization and Containers, CSA Security Guidance v4.0

Additionally, cloud providers often pre-harden these images to enhance security and ensure that they meet organizational compliance standards. However, the primary function remains to serve as starting points or blueprints for VM creation — not performance tuning or backup.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. To back up data within the VM➤ VM image sources are not used for data backup. Backups involve capturing dynamic runtime data, while image sources are static templates used at deployment.

C. To optimize VM performance➤ Image sources do not optimize performance. Performance is influenced by hardware, resource allocation, and tuning — not the image source itself.

D. To secure the VM against unauthorized access➤ While hardened images may help reduce attack surface, security is not the primary purpose of VM image sources. That responsibility falls more under access controls, patching, and configuration management.

Main Topic: Virtualization and Containers

Source: CSA Security Guidance v4.0, Domain 8 – Virtualization and Containers