Free Eccouncil 312-97 Exam Actual Questions & Explanations

Last updated on: Jul 14, 2026
Author: Priya Martin (Senior Security Certification Specialist, EC-Council)

The EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (ECDE) certification, validated through exam 312-97, is designed for security professionals and DevOps engineers who want to integrate security practices throughout the software development lifecycle. This credential demonstrates your ability to design, implement, and manage secure development pipelines from planning through production monitoring. Whether you're transitioning into DevSecOps or deepening your expertise, this page provides a clear roadmap of what the Certified DevSecOps Engineer exam covers and how to prepare effectively. Use the syllabus breakdown, question formats, and study strategies below to build confidence and competency before test day.

312-97 Exam Syllabus & Core Topics

Use this topic map to guide your study for Eccouncil 312-97 (EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (ECDE)) within the Certified DevSecOps Engineer path.

  • Understanding DevOps Culture: Grasp the mindset, values, and organizational practices that enable rapid, reliable software delivery. You'll need to recognize how collaboration, automation, and shared responsibility reduce silos and improve security posture.
  • Introduction to DevSecOps: Learn how security is embedded as a core responsibility rather than an afterthought. Understand the shift-left principle, threat modeling early in design, and continuous security validation across all stages.
  • DevSecOps Pipeline - Plan Stage: Master security requirements gathering, threat modeling, and compliance planning before development begins. You'll identify risks, define security acceptance criteria, and establish baseline controls for the project.
  • DevSecOps Pipeline - Code Stage: Apply secure coding standards, use static analysis tools, and perform code reviews with security focus. Recognize vulnerable patterns, enforce code policies, and integrate security gates into version control workflows.
  • DevSecOps Pipeline - Build and Test Stage: Execute automated security testing including SAST, dependency scanning, and container image analysis. Interpret scan results, remediate findings, and ensure quality gates prevent insecure artifacts from advancing.
  • DevSecOps Pipeline - Release and Deploy Stage: Manage secure artifact signing, configuration management, and deployment approvals. Validate infrastructure-as-code for misconfigurations, enforce least privilege access, and audit deployment logs for compliance.
  • DevSecOps Pipeline - Operate and Monitor Stage: Implement runtime security monitoring, log aggregation, and incident response procedures. Detect anomalies, correlate security events, and maintain audit trails for forensics and regulatory reporting.

Question Formats & What They Test

The 312-97 exam uses multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to assess both foundational knowledge and the ability to make sound decisions in realistic DevSecOps situations. Questions progress in difficulty and require you to connect concepts across the entire pipeline.

  • Multiple Choice: Core definitions, tool capabilities, security best practices, and terminology. For example, identifying which SAST tool is best for a specific language or recognizing the correct order of pipeline stages.
  • Scenario-Based Items: Real-world cases where you analyze a development workflow, identify security gaps, and select the best remediation strategy. Example: given a container deployment issue, choose the appropriate scanning tool and explain why.
  • Process Flow Questions: Demonstrate understanding of how planning, coding, testing, release, and operations stages interconnect and where security controls belong.

Questions emphasize practical application; expect to justify your choices based on risk, compliance requirements, and operational constraints.

Preparation Guidance

Effective preparation requires mapping each topic to dedicated study blocks and reinforcing connections between pipeline stages. Allocate time proportionally to your weaker areas, and use practice questions to identify gaps early. A structured 4-6 week plan typically allows for thorough coverage and confidence building.

  • Assign each topic (Understanding DevOps Culture, Introduction to DevSecOps, DevSecOps Pipeline - Plan Stage, DevSecOps Pipeline - Code Stage, DevSecOps Pipeline - Build and Test Stage, DevSecOps Pipeline - Release and Deploy Stage, DevSecOps Pipeline - Operate and Monitor Stage) to weekly study goals; track completion and flag difficult areas.
  • Work through practice question sets in topic order, then review explanations for every answer, correct and incorrect, to understand the reasoning.
  • Link pipeline stages together: trace how a security requirement from Plan flows into Code reviews, Build testing, Release approvals, and Operate monitoring.
  • Complete a timed mini mock exam under realistic conditions to build pacing, reduce anxiety, and identify last-minute weak spots.
  • In the final week, focus on scenario-based questions and re-review topics where you scored below 75%.

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Get the PDF & Practice Test

Strengthen your preparation with up-to-date resources from validexamdumps.com. These materials align to 312-97 and cover practical scenarios with clear explanations.

  • Q&A PDF with explanations: Topic-mapped questions that clarify why correct options are right and others aren't.
  • Practice Test: Realistic items, timed and untimed modes, progress tracking, and detailed review to identify knowledge gaps.
  • Focused coverage: Aligned to Understanding DevOps Culture, Introduction to DevSecOps, DevSecOps Pipeline - Plan Stage, DevSecOps Pipeline - Code Stage, DevSecOps Pipeline - Build and Test Stage, DevSecOps Pipeline - Release and Deploy Stage, and DevSecOps Pipeline - Operate and Monitor Stage so you study what matters most.
  • Regular reviews: Content refreshes that reflect syllabus and product changes.

Visit the exam page to download the PDF, Online Practice Test, or get a Bundle Discount offer for both formats: EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (ECDE).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which topics carry the most weight on the 312-97 exam?

The DevSecOps Pipeline stages (Plan, Code, Build and Test, Release and Deploy, Operate and Monitor) typically account for the majority of exam questions because they represent the practical application of DevSecOps principles. However, Understanding DevOps Culture and Introduction to DevSecOps provide essential context, so don't skip them. A balanced study approach ensures you're prepared for the full scope of the exam.

How do the pipeline stages connect in a real project workflow?

Each pipeline stage builds on the previous one: Plan establishes security requirements and threat models; Code implements secure coding and integrates security reviews; Build and Test runs automated scanning and validates artifacts; Release and Deploy manages approvals and infrastructure security; Operate and Monitor detects runtime issues and maintains compliance. Understanding these connections helps you answer scenario questions correctly and apply knowledge to your own organization.

What hands-on experience is most valuable for this exam?

Practical experience with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions), container scanning (Trivy, Anchore), SAST tools (SonarQube, Checkmarx), and log aggregation platforms (ELK, Splunk) strengthens your ability to recognize tool capabilities and limitations. If possible, set up a small lab pipeline with security gates enabled, run scans, and interpret results. Even simulated or sandbox environments help you understand real-world workflows.

What common mistakes cause candidates to lose points?

Many candidates confuse the purpose of different security tools (e.g., SAST vs. DAST) or overlook the importance of early threat modeling in the Plan stage. Others underestimate the Operate and Monitor stage, which tests your ability to respond to runtime security events. Finally, failing to connect pipeline stages in scenario questions often leads to selecting a technically correct but contextually wrong answer. Review explanations carefully and practice linking stages together.

How should I pace my study in the final week before the exam?

Shift from learning new topics to reinforcing weak areas and practicing full-length timed scenarios. Review your practice test results to identify patterns in missed questions. Spend 30-40% of your time on scenario-based questions because they closely mirror exam difficulty. Get adequate sleep the night before the exam; cramming new material in the final 24 hours typically hurts performance more than it helps.

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Question No. 1

(Charlotte Flair is a DevSecOps engineer at Egma Soft Solution Pvt. Ltd. Her organization develops software and applications related to supply chain management. Charlotte would like to integrate Sqreen RASP tool with Slack to monitor the application at runtime for malicious activities and block them before they can damage the application. Therefore, she created a Sqreen account and installed Sqreen Microagent. Now, she would like to install the PHP microagent. To do so, she reviewed the PHP microagent's compatibility, then she signed in to Sqreen account and noted the token in Notepad. Which of the following commands should Charlotte run in the terminal to install the PHP extension and the Sqreen daemon?.)

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Correct Answer: A

The correct installation procedure for the Sqreen PHP microagent involves downloading the installer script and executing it with the organization token and application name. The curl -s option downloads the script silently, while the > redirection operator saves it locally as sqreen-install.sh. The script is then executed using bash, passing the required token and app name as parameters. Options using input redirection (<) are incorrect because they do not save the downloaded script to a file. The -i option includes HTTP headers in the output, which is unnecessary and could corrupt the script. Installing the microagent correctly enables runtime monitoring, attack detection, and automatic blocking, supporting strong runtime security during the Operate and Monitor stage.


Question No. 2

(Kevin Williamson is working as a DevSecOps engineer in an IT company located in Los Angles, Californi

a. His team has integrated Jira with Jenkins to view every issue on Jira, including the status of the latest build or successful deployment of the work to an environment. Which of the following can Kevin use to search issues on Jira?)

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Correct Answer: C

Jira uses Atlassian Query Language, commonly referred to as JQL, to search, filter, and manage issues. This query language allows users to create advanced searches using fields such as project, status, assignee, priority, and custom attributes. Although often informally called Jira Query Language, the official name among the given options is Atlassian Query Language. SQL and Java query language are unrelated and not used for issue searching in Jira. Using JQL during the Code stage improves traceability between source code commits, builds, and tracked issues, enabling teams to monitor progress, validate deployment status, and maintain alignment between development and delivery activities.


Question No. 3

(James Harden has been working as a senior DevSecOps engineer in an IT company located in Oakland, Californi

a. To detect vulnerabilities and to evaluate attack vectors compromising web applications, he would like to integrate Burp Suite with Jenkins. He downloaded the Burp Suite Jenkins plugins and then uploaded the plugin and successfully integrated Burp Suite with Jenkins. After integration, he would like to scan web application using Burp Suite; therefore, he navigated to Jenkins' dashboard, opened an existing project, and clicked on Configure. Then, he navigated to the Build tab and selected Execute shell from Add build step. Which of the following commands should James enter under the Execute shell?.)

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Correct Answer: D

When configuring Burp Suite scans in Jenkins using an Execute shell build step, environment variables are often set or echoed so that subsequent scan steps can consume them. The echo command is used to output or define values in the shell context. In this case, echo BURP_SCAN_URL = http://target-website.com correctly defines the target URL for Burp Suite scanning. Commands like grep and cat are used for searching or displaying file contents and are not appropriate for setting scan parameters. The sudo command is unnecessary and incorrect in this context. Using the correct shell command ensures that Burp Suite receives the proper target information during the Build and Test stage, enabling accurate dynamic application security testing.


Question No. 4

(Dustin Hoffman is a DevSecOps engineer at SantSol Pvt. Ltd. His organization develops software products and web applications related to mobile apps. Using Gauntlt, Dustin would like to facilitate testing and communication between teams and create actionable tests that can be hooked in testing and deployment process. Which of the following commands should Dustin use to install Gauntlt?.)

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Correct Answer: C

Gauntlt is a security testing framework written in Ruby and distributed as a Ruby gem. The correct way to install a Ruby gem is using the gem install command followed by the lowercase gem name. RubyGems are case-sensitive and standardized to lowercase naming conventions, which makes gem install gauntlt the correct command. The gems command does not exist in Ruby's package management ecosystem, and using uppercase names such as Gauntlt can lead to installation failures. Installing Gauntlt allows DevSecOps teams to write human-readable security tests and integrate them into CI/CD pipelines, enabling automated and collaborative security validation during the Build and Test stage.


Question No. 5

(Joe Adler has recently been offered a job as a DevSecOps engineer in an IT company that develops software products and web applications for the healthcare industry. He would like to implement DevSec Hardening Framework to add a layer into the automation framework that configures operating systems and services and takes care of difficult settings, compliance guidelines, cryptography recommendations, and secure defaults. To apply DevSec Hardening Framework to the machine, he scanned the machine using Nessus scanning tool; he then checked the compliance results before using DevSec Hardening Framework. Which of the following commands should Joe use to run DevSec Hardening Framework?.)

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Correct Answer: A

The DevSec Hardening Framework is commonly implemented using Chef, and it is executed locally using the chef-solo command. The -c flag specifies the configuration file (solo.rb), and the -j flag specifies the JSON attributes file (solo.json). Option A correctly uses both required parameters in the proper format. The other options incorrectly swap or misuse flags that are not supported by Chef-solo. Running this command applies secure configurations, compliance controls, and cryptographic standards to the target system. Executing DevSec Hardening Framework during the Operate and Monitor stage ensures that systems remain secure, compliant, and resilient against misconfiguration-based attacks.


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