200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
An organization wants to protect sensitive data at rest and in transit. Which THREE cryptographic methods can provide confidentiality? (Choose three.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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Transport Layer Security (TLS)
TLS (B) is correct because it provides confidentiality for data in transit by encrypting the session between client and server using negotiated symmetric ciphers (e.g., AES) after an asymmetric handshake. Symmetric encryption (C) is correct because it uses a shared secret key with algorithms such as AES to encrypt data at rest or in transit, directly providing confidentiality. Asymmetric encryption (E) is correct because it uses public/private key pairs (e.g., RSA, ECC) to encrypt data so that only the holder of the corresponding private key can decrypt it, protecting confidentiality. Digital signature (A) is not correct because it provides integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation, not confidentiality. Hashing (D) is not correct because it is a one-way function used for integrity verification and cannot encrypt or conceal data.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Digital signature
Why it's wrong here
A digital signature provides integrity, authenticity and non-repudiation, not confidentiality: it leaves the payload readable. It is tempting because it is a cryptographic control applied to data, but it belongs in scenarios proving origin and detecting tampering, whereas confidentiality requires encryption of the data itself.
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Transport Layer Security (TLS)
Why this is correct
TLS encrypts data in transit using symmetric and asymmetric methods.
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Symmetric encryption
Why this is correct
Symmetric encryption uses a single shared secret key to encrypt and decrypt data, delivering confidentiality both at rest and in transit. Its fast, bulk-oriented design suits the stem's requirement to protect sensitive data in both states.
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Hashing
Why it's wrong here
Hashing provides integrity and password verification, being a one-way function that cannot be reversed to recover plaintext. Confidentiality requires reversible encryption, such as symmetric or asymmetric ciphers, so hashing fails the confidentiality requirement despite its frequent pairing with encryption.
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Asymmetric encryption
Why this is correct
Asymmetric encryption uses a public/private key pair, so data encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted by the private key holder. This satisfies the stem's confidentiality requirement for data at rest and in transit.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
About these practice questions
This 200-201 question is part of Courseiva's 968-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.