CAS-004 Security Architecture Practice Question
An organization is designing a PKI for certificate lifecycle management. Which TWO practices are critical for maintaining the security of the certificate authority (CA)? (Select TWO.)
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
✓
Storing the root CA private key in a hardware security module (HSM)
HSMs protect private keys, and OCSP provides real-time revocation status. Both are essential for CA security.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Setting long certificate validity periods to reduce renewal frequency
Why it's wrong here
Long validity increases risk if the key is compromised.
- ✓
Storing the root CA private key in a hardware security module (HSM)
Why this is correct
HSMs provide tamper-resistant key storage.
- ✗
Using certificate pinning to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks
Why it's wrong here
Pinning is a client-side practice; not critical for CA security.
- ✗
Using self-signed certificates for all internal services
Why it's wrong here
Self-signed certificates do not involve a CA and are not a best practice.
- ✓
Implementing Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) for revocation checking
Why this is correct
OCSP allows real-time validation of certificate status.
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JA
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.