Quick Answer
The answer is Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX), AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV), and ARM TrustZone. These three secure enclave technologies are correct because each provides hardware-level isolation for sensitive data in use, protects data at rest through memory encryption, and supports attestation mechanisms that verify the enclave’s integrity to remote parties. SGX creates encrypted memory regions within a CPU, SEV encrypts entire virtual machine memory to shield it from the hypervisor, and TrustZone partitions a system into secure and normal worlds with hardware-enforced access control. On the CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between trusted execution environments (TEEs) that protect data in use, a key domain for cloud and PII processing scenarios. A common trap is selecting only one technology or confusing SEV with simple disk encryption—remember that SEV protects memory, not storage. For a memory tip, think “SST”: SGX for CPU-level enclaves, SEV for VM-level encryption, and TrustZone for system-wide partitioning.
This CAS-004 practice question tests your understanding of security engineering. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security engineer is designing a secure enclave for processing sensitive personally identifiable information (PII). The enclave must protect data at rest and in use, and must support attestation to verify its integrity. Which THREE technologies should the engineer incorporate? (Choose three.)
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
Why wrong: TPM provides platform attestation but not enclave computation.
AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV)
Encrypts memory for VMs, supports attestation.
ARM TrustZone
Creates a secure world for trusted execution.
Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX)
Provides enclave isolation and attestation.
Hardware Security Module (HSM)
Why wrong: HSM is for key management, not enclave computation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV)
AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV) encrypts the memory of virtual machines, protecting data in use from the hypervisor and other VMs. It also supports attestation via the AMD Secure Processor, which generates a signed measurement of the VM's initial state, allowing a remote party to verify integrity. This makes SEV a valid choice for a secure enclave that must protect data at rest and in use and support attestation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
Why it's wrong here
TPM provides platform attestation but not enclave computation.
AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV)
Why this is correct
Encrypts memory for VMs, supports attestation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
ARM TrustZone
Why this is correct
Creates a secure world for trusted execution.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX)
Why this is correct
Provides enclave isolation and attestation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Hardware Security Module (HSM)
Why it's wrong here
HSM is for key management, not enclave computation.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the distinction between hardware roots of trust (TPM, HSM) and actual secure enclave technologies (SGX, SEV, TrustZone), so candidates mistakenly choose TPM or HSM because they associate them with 'trust' and 'security' without understanding that enclaves require isolated memory regions for processing data in use.
Detailed technical explanation
AMD SEV leverages the AMD Secure Processor (a dedicated ARM Cortex-A5) to encrypt VM memory using AES-128 encryption with per-VM keys, and the encryption is transparent to the guest OS. The attestation report includes a measurement of the VM's firmware and kernel, signed by the AMD SEV firmware, which can be verified against a known good value to detect tampering. In real-world scenarios, SEV is used in confidential computing to protect workloads in multi-tenant cloud environments, such as AWS Nitro Enclaves, where the hypervisor is untrusted.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CAS-004 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Engineering — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security Engineering practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CAS-004 questions
510 questions across all exam domains
CompTIA SecurityX CAS-004 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CAS-004 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CAS-004 questions linked to Scripting, Containers and Automation.
Practise CAS-004 questions linked to Application Environment, Configuration and Security.
Practise CAS-004 questions linked to Governance, Risk and Compliance.
Practise CAS-004 questions linked to Security Engineering.
Practise CAS-004 questions linked to Security Architecture.
Practise CAS-004 questions linked to Security Operations.
Practise CAS-004 questions linked to CAS-004 fundamentals.
Practise CAS-004 questions linked to CAS-004 scenario.
Practise CAS-004 questions linked to CAS-004 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security Engineering — This question tests Security Engineering — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV) — AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV) encrypts the memory of virtual machines, protecting data in use from the hypervisor and other VMs. It also supports attestation via the AMD Secure Processor, which generates a signed measurement of the VM's initial state, allowing a remote party to verify integrity. This makes SEV a valid choice for a secure enclave that must protect data at rest and in use and support attestation.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CAS-004 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-004 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.