- A
TLS for in transit and AES-256 for at rest
TLS secures data during transmission, and AES-256 (via cloud provider encryption) secures stored data, meeting both requirements.
- B
SSL for at rest and IPsec for in transit
Why wrong: SSL is a protocol for in-transit encryption, not at rest; IPsec is also for in-transit, so this combination leaves at-rest data unencrypted.
- C
VPN for in transit and hashing for at rest
Why wrong: A VPN encrypts traffic but is typically used for site-to-site connections, not necessarily for database connections; hashing is one-way and not suitable for encrypting stored data that needs to be decrypted.
- D
SSH tunneling for at rest and TLS for in transit
Why wrong: SSH tunneling encrypts data in transit, not at rest; this would double-encrypt in transit but leave stored data unprotected.
Cloud Data Encryption: At Rest and In Transit
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cloud computing concepts. 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 technician is migrating a database from an on-premises server to a cloud platform. The database contains sensitive customer information. The company requires that data be encrypted both at rest and in transit. Which combination of technologies should the technician implement?
Quick Answer
The correct combination is TLS for data in transit and AES-256 for data at rest. TLS, or Transport Layer Security, encrypts the communication channel between the application and the cloud database, ensuring that sensitive customer information cannot be intercepted during migration or ongoing access. For data at rest, AES-256 is the industry-standard symmetric encryption algorithm used by cloud providers to protect stored data on disk, typically implemented through services like AWS EBS encryption or Azure SQL Transparent Data Encryption. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to pair encryption technologies with their specific use cases—a common trap is confusing TLS with at-rest encryption or assuming a single method covers both. Remember the memory tip: “TLS travels, AES stays” to quickly recall that TLS secures data in motion while AES-256 secures data sitting still.
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
TLS for in transit and AES-256 for at rest
For data in transit, TLS/SSL encrypts communication between the application and the database. For data at rest, the cloud provider's encryption feature (e.g., AWS EBS encryption or Azure SQL TDE) encrypts the stored data. AES-256 is a common encryption standard for at-rest data, but it must be implemented by the provider's service.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
TLS for in transit and AES-256 for at rest
Why this is correct
TLS secures data during transmission, and AES-256 (via cloud provider encryption) secures stored data, meeting both requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
SSL for at rest and IPsec for in transit
- ✗
VPN for in transit and hashing for at rest
Why it's wrong here
A VPN encrypts traffic but is typically used for site-to-site connections, not necessarily for database connections; hashing is one-way and not suitable for encrypting stored data that needs to be decrypted.
- ✗
SSH tunneling for at rest and TLS for in transit
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 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.
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 |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Cloud Computing Concepts — This question tests Cloud Computing Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: TLS for in transit and AES-256 for at rest — For data in transit, TLS/SSL encrypts communication between the application and the database. For data at rest, the cloud provider's encryption feature (e.g., AWS EBS encryption or Azure SQL TDE) encrypts the stored data. AES-256 is a common encryption standard for at-rest data, but it must be implemented by the provider's service.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
This 220-1201 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 220-1201 exam.
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