mediumMultiple Choice
FC0-U71 Practice Question: A small business owner wants to protect sensitive…
A small business owner wants to protect sensitive customer data stored on a laptop that is frequently used on public Wi-Fi networks. The owner is considering implementing a security control that ensures data remains confidential even if the laptop is stolen. Which of the following is the BEST control for this scenario?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse encryption of data in transit (VPN) with encryption of data at rest (FDE), or assume that a strong password alone is sufficient to protect data after physical theft.
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
✓
Implement full-disk encryption
Full-disk encryption (FDE) protects data at rest by encrypting the entire storage volume, typically using AES-128 or AES-256. Even if the laptop is stolen, the encrypted data remains unreadable without the decryption key, ensuring confidentiality. This directly addresses the requirement for data protection after physical theft.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a VPN when connected to public Wi-Fi
Why it's wrong here
A VPN protects data in transit over untrusted Wi-Fi but leaves the local disk readable once the laptop is stolen, so confidentiality after theft is unmet. VPNs are correct when the threat is interception on the network path, not physical device loss.
- ✗
Install antivirus software
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus detects malware execution but does not render stored customer data unreadable to someone who removes the drive, so theft confidentiality fails. Antivirus is the right control against malicious code infection, not against physical loss of the device.
- ✓
Implement full-disk encryption
Why this is correct
Full-disk encryption renders the laptop's storage unreadable without the decryption key, so stolen hardware exposes only ciphertext. This directly satisfies the confidentiality requirement for sensitive customer data, unlike controls that only protect network traffic or access.
- ✗
Require a strong password for user login
Why it's wrong here
A strong login password gates the running operating system, yet an attacker can pull the disk and read it offline, bypassing that prompt. Login hardening suits shared-workstation misuse; full-disk encryption is required when data must stay confidential after the device is stolen.
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
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This FC0-U71 question is part of Courseiva's 988-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.