CAS-004 Security Architecture Practice Question
A company must protect cryptographic keys used to sign financial transactions. The solution must be FIPS 140-2 Level 3 compliant and provide tamper-resistant hardware. Which technology should be deployed?
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
✓
Hardware security module
HSMs (Hardware Security Modules) provide tamper-resistant, FIPS 140-2 Level 3+ certified hardware for key generation, storage, and signing operations.
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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Software-based key management system
Why it's wrong here
Software-only solutions are not physically tamper-resistant.
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Hardware security module
Why this is correct
HSMs are tamper-resistant hardware meeting FIPS 140-2 Level 3.
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Cloud KMS
Why it's wrong here
Cloud KMS may not provide Level 3 tamper resistance unless backed by HSM.
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TPM
Why it's wrong here
TPMs are on motherboard chips, not typically used for high-volume transaction signing.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CAS-005 exam.