VA-003 Explain encryption as a service Practice Question
Exhibit
{
"request_id": "1",
"data": {
"allow_plaintext_backup": false,
"deletion_allowed": false,
"derived": false,
"exportable": false,
"keys": {
"1": {
"creation_time": "2023-01-01T00:00:00Z",
"name": "mykey"
},
"2": {
"creation_time": "2023-06-01T00:00:00Z",
"name": "mykey"
}
},
"latest_version": 2,
"min_encryption_version": 0,
"min_decryption_version": 1,
"name": "mykey"
}
}Refer to the exhibit. A DevOps engineer runs `vault read -format=json transit/keys/mykey` and receives the output shown. A microservice attempts to decrypt data that was encrypted with version 1 of the key. Will the decryption succeed?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often misinterpret `min_decryption_version` as a minimum version that is required (i.e., only versions above that number are allowed), when in fact it means the minimum version that is still permitted — so version 1 is allowed if the value is 1.
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
✓
Yes, because min_decryption_version is 1, which allows decryption with version 1 and higher.
The `min_decryption_version` parameter in Vault's transit secrets engine specifies the lowest key version that can be used for decryption. In the exhibit, `min_decryption_version` is set to 1, meaning any version from 1 upward is allowed. Since the data was encrypted with version 1, decryption will succeed. This parameter does not block decryption with version 1; it only prevents decryption with versions lower than the specified value.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Yes, because min_decryption_version does not affect decryption.
Why it's wrong here
It does affect decryption; it sets the minimum allowed version.
- ✓
Yes, because min_decryption_version is 1, which allows decryption with version 1 and higher.
Why this is correct
Correct interpretation of min_decryption_version.
- ✗
No, because min_decryption_version is 1, so only version 2 and higher can decrypt.
Why it's wrong here
Version 1 is allowed because it is >= 1.
- ✗
No, because the data was encrypted with version 1 and min_decryption_version is 1, so decryption is blocked.
Why it's wrong here
Version 1 meets the minimum, so it is allowed.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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