The correct answer is that asymmetric encryption involves a public key and a private key. This is because the algorithm relies on a mathematically linked key pair: one key is kept secret (the private key) while the other is freely distributed (the public key), enabling secure communication without sharing a secret beforehand. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this concept tests your understanding of cryptographic foundations, often appearing in questions about key exchange, digital signatures, or PKI infrastructure. A common trap is confusing asymmetric encryption with symmetric encryption, which uses only a single shared key; remember that if you see two keys, it’s asymmetric. For the CEH, focus on the fact that asymmetric encryption provides both confidentiality (via public-key encryption) and non-repudiation (via digital signatures). A helpful memory tip: think of a locked mailbox—anyone with the public key can drop in a letter, but only the private key holder can open it.
CEH Practice Question: Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of advanced topics: wireless, cloud, iot, cryptography. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which THREE of the following are characteristics of asymmetric encryption?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Supports digital signatures
Asymmetric encryption uses two keys (public/private), provides key exchange, and supports digital signatures.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Uses a single shared key for both encryption and decryption
Why it's wrong here
That describes symmetric encryption.
✓
Supports digital signatures
Why this is correct
Private key signing and public key verification enable digital signatures.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Provides key exchange without prior shared secret
Why this is correct
Algorithms like Diffie-Hellman enable key exchange.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Involves a public key and a private key
Why this is correct
Asymmetric encryption uses a key pair.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Typically faster than symmetric encryption
Why it's wrong here
Symmetric encryption is generally faster.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CEH question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CEH NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — This question tests Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Supports digital signatures — Asymmetric encryption uses two keys (public/private), provides key exchange, and supports digital signatures.
What should I do if I get this CEH question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CEH NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are examples of asymmetric cryptography? (Select 2)
medium
✓ A.RSA
✓ B.ECC
C.3DES
D.MD5
E.AES
Why A: RSA and ECC are asymmetric algorithms. AES and 3DES are symmetric. MD5 is a hash function.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
Question Discussion
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This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CEH exam.
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