VA-003 Explain encryption as a service Practice Question
Exhibit
path "transit/keys/mykey" {
capabilities = ["create", "update", "delete"]
}
path "transit/keys/mykey/rotate" {
capabilities = ["update"]
}
path "transit/encrypt/mykey" {
capabilities = ["create", "update"]
}
path "transit/decrypt/mykey" {
capabilities = ["create", "update"]
}Refer to the exhibit. An application token has the above policy. Which operation will fail?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the distinction between key-level operations (encrypt, decrypt, rotate, delete) and path-level operations (list), where candidates mistakenly assume that having 'create' or 'update' on keys implies the ability to list them.
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
✓
Listing keys in the transit engine
The policy shown in the exhibit grants 'create', 'update', 'delete', and 'deny' capabilities on the transit engine, but it does not include a 'list' capability. In Vault's transit secrets engine, listing keys requires the 'list' capability on the engine path. Without it, the operation will fail due to insufficient permissions, even though other key management operations are allowed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Rotating the key mykey
Why it's wrong here
The policy includes update on `transit/keys/mykey/rotate`, so rotation is allowed.
- ✗
Decrypting data using the key mykey
Why it's wrong here
The policy includes create/update on transit/decrypt/mykey, so decryption is allowed.
- ✗
Encrypting data using the key mykey
Why it's wrong here
The policy includes create/update on transit/encrypt/mykey, so encryption is allowed.
- ✗
Deleting the key mykey
Why it's wrong here
The policy includes delete on `transit/keys/mykey`, so deletion is allowed.
- ✓
Listing keys in the transit engine
Why this is correct
Listing requires list capability on `transit/keys/`, which is not granted.
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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.