SSCP Practice Questions: Cryptography Domain

Published: July 30, 2025 | 20 min read

Test your SSCP knowledge with 10 practice questions from the Cryptography domain. Includes detailed explanations and answers.

SSCP Practice Questions

Master the Cryptography Domain

Test your knowledge in the Cryptography domain with these 10 practice questions. Each question is designed to help you prepare for the SSCP certification exam with detailed explanations to reinforce your learning.

Question 1

While setting up a new secure file transfer system, you decide to use a symmetric encryption algorithm for encrypting files before transmission. Which of the following key management practices is most critical to ensure the security of the files?

A) Regularly rotate the encryption keys and securely distribute them to authorized parties.

B) Store the encryption keys on the same server as the encrypted files for easy access.

C) Use a single encryption key for all files to simplify management.

D) Embed the encryption key within the file metadata for quick retrieval.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Regularly rotating encryption keys and securely distributing them is crucial for maintaining security in a symmetric encryption system. Storing keys with the files, using a single key for all files, or embedding keys in metadata are insecure practices that can lead to unauthorized access.

Question 2

Your organization uses a custom-developed application that requires secure key management for encrypting sensitive data. Which of the following is the most secure practice for managing encryption keys?

A) Store encryption keys within the application code for easy access.

B) Use a hardware security module (HSM) to manage and store encryption keys.

C) Store encryption keys in a database with access restricted to the application.

D) Encrypt the keys with a master key and store them on the same server as the application.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Using a hardware security module (HSM) is the most secure method for managing encryption keys, as it provides physical and logical protection. Storing keys in application code or databases can lead to exposure. Encrypting keys and storing them on the same server increases the risk of compromise.

Question 3

During a security audit, you discover that an application is using a deprecated cryptographic hash function, MD5, for password storage. What is the best immediate action to improve the security of password storage?

A) Switch to using SHA-1 for password hashing.

B) Implement salting and switch to a stronger hash function like SHA-256.

C) Increase the length of the passwords to mitigate the weakness of MD5.

D) Encrypt the passwords using a symmetric key algorithm.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The best action is to implement salting and switch to a stronger hash function like SHA-256, which provides better security for password storage. SHA-1 is also considered weak and not recommended. Increasing password length does not mitigate the weaknesses of MD5. Encrypting passwords with a symmetric key is not suitable for password storage as it requires key management.

Question 4

A company needs to securely store passwords in their database. Which cryptographic technique should be implemented to ensure the passwords are stored securely?

A) Encrypt passwords using AES-256 before storing them.

B) Hash passwords using SHA-256 with a unique salt for each password.

C) Store passwords as plain text and encrypt the entire database.

D) Use Base64 encoding to store passwords securely.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Hashing passwords with SHA-256 and a unique salt for each password is a best practice for securely storing passwords, as it protects against rainbow table attacks. Encrypting passwords does not provide the same level of security for password storage, and Base64 encoding is not a secure method for storing passwords.

Question 5

During a routine security audit, you discover that sensitive data stored on a Linux server is not encrypted. To comply with your organization's security policy, you need to encrypt this data at rest. Which of the following actions should you take to ensure the data is properly encrypted while minimizing disruption to operations?

A) Implement full disk encryption using LUKS and schedule a maintenance window to apply it.

B) Use a simple XOR cipher to encrypt the files as it is fast and easy to implement.

C) Encrypt the data using a symmetric key algorithm and store the key on the same server for easy access.

D) Compress the data to save space and then use a password-protected ZIP file for encryption.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Full disk encryption with LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup) is a robust and widely used method for encrypting data at rest on Linux systems. Scheduling a maintenance window ensures minimal disruption. Option B is incorrect because XOR is not a secure encryption method. Option C is incorrect as storing the key on the same server compromises security. Option D is incorrect because ZIP file encryption is not as secure as full disk encryption and can be bypassed if the password is weak.

Question 6

You are a security administrator tasked with securing data transmissions between your company's web server and its clients. The server is running on Linux and uses Apache. To ensure data integrity and confidentiality, which configuration should you implement?

A) Configure the server to use SSLv3 for all communications.

B) Implement HTTPS with TLS 1.2 and configure the server to use strong ciphers only.

C) Use a self-signed certificate for HTTPS to avoid costs.

D) Enable HTTP/2 without encryption to improve performance.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Option B is correct because TLS 1.2 is a secure protocol that provides confidentiality and integrity, and using strong ciphers ensures enhanced security. Option A is incorrect because SSLv3 is outdated and vulnerable to attacks like POODLE. Option C is incorrect because self-signed certificates are not trusted by clients, leading to potential security warnings. Option D is incorrect because HTTP/2 without encryption does not secure data in transit.

Question 7

You are tasked with configuring a secure communication channel between two servers that are located in different data centers. The communication must ensure data integrity and confidentiality. Which of the following methods would be the most appropriate to implement?

A) Use SSH tunneling with public key authentication.

B) Implement a VPN using PPTP protocol.

C) Configure an IPSec VPN with AES encryption.

D) Use FTP with SSL/TLS for file transfers.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: IPSec VPN with AES encryption is the most appropriate choice as it provides both data integrity and confidentiality through strong encryption (AES) and is designed for secure communication over potentially insecure networks. SSH tunneling is secure but typically used for specific applications or ports, not general communication. PPTP is considered weak due to its vulnerabilities. FTP with SSL/TLS only secures file transfers, not general communication.

Question 8

During a routine check of your organization's VPN configuration, you notice that the encryption algorithm used is outdated and vulnerable to attacks. Which algorithm should you configure to ensure secure and efficient encryption for VPN traffic?

A) AES-256

B) DES

C) RC4

D) MD5

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: AES-256 is a robust encryption algorithm widely used for securing VPN traffic due to its strength and efficiency. DES and RC4 are outdated and susceptible to attacks, while MD5 is a hashing algorithm, not suitable for encrypting data.

Question 9

You are configuring a secure email system that uses PGP for encrypting and signing emails. Which of the following is a critical step to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the emails you send?

A) Encrypt the email using the recipient's public key.

B) Sign the email using your private key.

C) Encrypt the email using your private key.

D) Sign the email using the recipient's public key.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Signing an email with your private key ensures that recipients can verify the authenticity and integrity of the email using your public key. Encrypting with the recipient's public key ensures confidentiality, not authenticity. Encrypting with your private key or signing with the recipient's public key is incorrect.

Question 10

Your organization uses a PKI to manage digital certificates. A user reports that they are unable to access a secure application due to a certificate error. Upon investigation, you find that the certificate has been revoked. What is the most likely reason for this revocation?

A) The certificate's private key has been compromised.

B) The certificate has reached its expiration date.

C) The certificate was issued by a non-trusted CA.

D) The certificate was not used for an extended period.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Option A is correct because a common reason for certificate revocation is the compromise of the private key associated with the certificate. Option B is incorrect because expiration is not a reason for revocation; the certificate simply becomes invalid. Option C could cause trust issues but not revocation. Option D is not a standard reason for revocation.

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