ISC Security Planning And Engineering Practice Question
Which TWO methods are effective for managing cryptographic keys in a cloud architecture?
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
✓
Deploy a dedicated Hardware Security Module (HSM).
Using a managed Key Management Service (KMS) or a Hardware Security Module (HSM) are the industry standard approaches for secure key management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Deploy a dedicated Hardware Security Module (HSM).
Why this is correct
HSMs provide the highest level of physical and logical security for keys.
- ✗
Hardcode keys in the application source code.
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoded keys are a major security vulnerability.
- ✓
Use a cloud-native Key Management Service (KMS).
Why this is correct
KMS provides centralized, audited key management.
- ✗
Save keys as plain text files on the VM.
Why it's wrong here
Plain text keys are insecure.
- ✗
Store keys in environment variables.
Why it's wrong here
Environment variables are easily exposed in logs or memory dumps.
About these practice questions
One of 209 original ISC 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 and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official (ISC)² exam blueprint
This ISC practice question is part of Courseiva's free (ISC)² 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 ISC exam.