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ISC2 CC Practice Question: A company deploys a web application that stores…
A company deploys a web application that stores user passwords using a salted hash. During a security review, an auditor recommends switching from SHA-1 to SHA-256. What is the primary security benefit of this change?
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
✓
It increases collision resistance
SHA-1 is considered weak due to collision vulnerabilities, while SHA-256 is more resistant. The change improves integrity protection for stored passwords. Option C (collision resistance) is correct. Option A (availability) is not directly related. Option B (encryption) is wrong because hashing is not encryption. Option D (non-repudiation) requires digital signatures, not just hashing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It improves system availability
Why it's wrong here
Hash algorithm choice does not directly affect availability.
- ✗
It provides encryption of the passwords at rest
Why it's wrong here
Hashing is a one-way function, not encryption; it does not allow decryption.
- ✓
It increases collision resistance
Why this is correct
SHA-256 offers stronger collision resistance than SHA-1, reducing the risk of two different inputs producing the same hash.
- ✗
It enhances non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation typically requires digital signatures, not just hashing.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Integrity
Integrity is the assurance that data has not been altered or tampered with in an unauthorized way, preserving its accuracy and consistency from source to destination.
Key term
Encryption
Encryption is the process of converting readable data into a secret code to prevent unauthorized access.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.