easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
ISC2 CC Practice Question: A company uses encryption to protect data at rest…
A company uses encryption to protect data at rest and in transit. This primarily addresses which aspect of the CIA triad?
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
✓
Confidentiality
Encryption prevents unauthorized access to data, thereby maintaining confidentiality. Option A (Integrity) is wrong because while encryption can support integrity through hashing, its primary role is confidentiality. Option B (Authentication) is wrong because encryption alone does not verify identity; authentication requires separate mechanisms like digital signatures. Option D (Availability) is wrong because encryption does not ensure data is accessible; it protects data from unauthorized access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Encryption can support integrity, but its primary role is confidentiality.
- ✗
Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication is about verifying identity; encryption does not inherently authenticate.
- ✓
Confidentiality
Why this is correct
Encryption prevents unauthorized access, ensuring confidentiality.
- ✗
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability ensures data is accessible when needed; encryption does not guarantee this.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Authentication and Authorization Methods
Key term
Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying that someone or something is who or what it claims to be before granting access to a system or resource.
Key term
Hashing
Hashing is a one-way mathematical function that converts any input data into a fixed-length string of characters, called a hash or digest, which is used to verify data integrity and store passwords securely.
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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.