CISSP Study Plan – Day 10 of 55 | Inference Attacks in Software Development Security
- Luke Ahmed
- Sep 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 19
"Software Development Security — a MUST know for the CISSP exam."– Luke Ahmed
Today is Day 10 of Yihenew’s CISSP study plan, staying within Software Development Security, this time focusing on inference attacks and their role in protecting sensitive information.
Key Areas Covered:
Inference Attacks Defined — deducing sensitive data from non-sensitive data through logical reasoning
Real-World Example — attacker combines salary ranges with job titles to reveal exact compensation data
CISSP Context — highlights the importance of proper database design and query restrictions
Countermeasures — data suppression, query restrictions, noise and perturbation, and access controls
Manager’s Viewpoint — inference attacks are less about raw hacking and more about gaps in governance and oversight
In this CISSP study plan session, Yihenew emphasized that inference attacks test whether a security professional understands how data can leak indirectly. The exam often frames these questions from a risk management perspective, not just a technical one.
Quick CISSP Practice Question
Which of the following best describes an inference attack?
A. Exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities to access databases
B. Deducing restricted information by analyzing accessible data
C. Injecting malicious code to manipulate application behavior
D. Overwhelming systems to deny access to authorized users
✅ Correct Answer: B. Deducing restricted information by analyzing accessible data
Explanation: Inference attacks occur when an attacker pieces together available data to derive sensitive information. Unlike injection or DoS attacks, inference is indirect and often overlooked unless proper countermeasures are in place.
👉 Can you take the Yani Challenge?
55 days of consistent CISSP prep, tackling one domain at a time, using only the resources below:
Course
Luke's CISSP Course (2 months access, $89.98)
One-to-one Zoom sessions with Luke Ahmed (2 weeks before exam)
Books, Notes, and Practice Questions
All-In-One Study Guide by Shon Harris (Around $45)
Sybex 10th Edition (Around $52.55)
Total Cost: approxiamately $250 depending on your geographic location. Yani is located in East Africa.
📚 Study Plan (55 Days of Dedication):
- Weekdays: 2–3 hours of focused study—late nights and early mornings (5 AM).
- Weekends: 5–6 hours of deep study sessions.
Pass CISSP in first attempt within 100 questions.
Yani's biggest expense was his time, committment, consistency, and dedication! It was worth it because he passed first attempt in 100 questions using the above resources only.
If Yihenew could do it, so can you.
All the best Future CISSP. You can feel free to contact me anytime as well.
Thank you.
Luke Ahmed
