200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
Which element of the CIA triad is primarily concerned with preventing unauthorized access to data?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between confidentiality and integrity, where candidates mistakenly choose integrity because they conflate 'preventing changes' with 'preventing access'.
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
✓
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is the CIA triad element that ensures data is accessible only to authorized users. It is primarily enforced through encryption (e.g., AES-256 for data at rest, TLS 1.3 for data in transit) and access control mechanisms (e.g., RBAC, ACLs). Preventing unauthorized access directly aligns with confidentiality's goal of protecting data from disclosure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation is related to cryptography, not a core CIA element.
- ✗
Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity ensures data is not altered or tampered with.
- ✓
Confidentiality
Why this is correct
Confidentiality prevents unauthorized disclosure of information.
- ✗
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability focuses on ensuring systems are accessible when needed.
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 |
Go deeper
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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.