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
min_decryption_version sets the lowest key version Vault will accept for decryption, so it directly governs whether version 1 ciphertext can be decrypted. It is tempting because min_encryption_version only affects new encryptions, and confusing the two settings would be the correct reasoning when only encryption version is configured.
- ✓
Yes, because min_decryption_version is 1, which allows decryption with version 1 and higher.
Why this is correct
The key's min_decryption_version of 1 sets the lowest version Vault will accept for decryption, and version 1 meets that floor. Since the version remains above the minimum and has not been deleted, Vault decrypts the ciphertext successfully.
- ✗
No, because min_decryption_version is 1, so only version 2 and higher can decrypt.
Why it's wrong here
min_decryption_version of 1 permits decryption with version 1; the threshold blocks versions strictly below it, so only version 2 and higher is a misreading. It is tempting because a minimum of 1 appears restrictive, and setting min_decryption_version to 2 would be the correct configuration to block version 1 ciphertext.
- ✗
No, because the data was encrypted with version 1 and min_decryption_version is 1, so decryption is blocked.
Why it's wrong here
Decryption succeeds because min_decryption_version is 1, which permits version 1 ciphertext; the setting blocks versions below the minimum, not those equal to it. It is tempting because min_decryption_version does restrict older key versions, and raising it above 1 would be the correct action to retire version 1 decryption.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 366 original VA-003 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This VA-003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free HashiCorp 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 VA-003 exam.