easyMultiple Select
CV0-004 Practice Question: Which TWO of the following are effective methods…
Which TWO of the following are effective methods to protect data in transit within a cloud environment? 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
✓
VPN overlay networks
Options D and E are correct because VPN overlay networks and TLS/SSL encryption both protect data in transit by encrypting the communication channel. Option A (object-level ACLs) controls access to data but does not encrypt it in transit. Option B (server-side encryption with AES-256) protects data at rest. Option C (data masking) obscures data but does not protect it during transmission.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Object-level ACLs
Why it's wrong here
Object-level ACLs govern who may access a stored object, an at-rest authorisation control, not the confidentiality of data crossing the network; TLS or IPsec is required for transit. It tempts because ACLs are a genuine cloud data-protection mechanism, but they control access, not transmission.
- ✗
Server-side encryption with AES-256
Why it's wrong here
Server-side encryption protects data at rest on the storage medium, not data moving across the network; in-transit protection requires TLS or IPsec. It tempts because AES-256 is a strong cipher, but applied server-side it encrypts stored objects, leaving the wire unencrypted.
- ✗
Data masking
Why it's wrong here
Data masking alters stored values so sensitive fields are obscured in databases, which protects data at rest, not in transit. It is tempting because masking genuinely reduces exposure when copies are shared with testers or analysts, but encryption such as TLS or IPsec is what protects data moving across networks.
- ✓
VPN overlay networks
Why this is correct
VPN overlay networks encapsulate traffic within encrypted tunnels, such as IPsec or TLS, protecting data as it crosses untrusted networks between cloud and on-premises resources. This directly satisfies the "in transit" requirement by securing the transmission path itself, rather than data at rest or endpoint authentication.
- ✓
TLS/SSL encryption
Why this is correct
TLS/SSL encrypts data moving between clients and cloud services, directly satisfying the in-transit protection requirement. It secures protocols such as HTTPS, preventing interception or tampering on untrusted networks. Unlike encryption at rest, which protects stored volumes, TLS operates on the wire, making it the appropriate control for data actively traversing the network.
Visual reference
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 |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CV0-004 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 CV0-004 exam.