Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) Practice Exam

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) focuses on:

1. Developing secure software development lifecycle practices

2. Analyzing network traffic for malicious activity

3. Examining application source code for security vulnerabilities

4. Testing network security protocols

The correct answer is: Examining application source code for security vulnerabilities

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a methodology aimed specifically at identifying security vulnerabilities within application source code. This technique involves analyzing the code without executing it, which allows developers to discover potential weaknesses early in the software development lifecycle. By examining the code, SAST tools look for common coding errors, security flaws, and weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers, making it an essential practice in ensuring the security of applications. The focus on analyzing source code enables developers to remediate issues before the software is deployed, leading to a more robust and secure application. This proactive approach helps integrate security directly into the development process, aligning with the principles of secure software development. In contrast, other options like developing secure software lifecycle practices or testing network protocols focus on different aspects of security that do not specifically deal with the actual code of applications. Analyzing network traffic pertains to operational security, while network security protocols address the safety measures for data transmitted over networks. Therefore, the specificity of SAST in examining source code distinctly underscores its role in application security.