ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
What is the primary purpose of a digital signature?
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
✓
Provide non-repudiation and integrity
Digital signatures provide integrity by ensuring data has not been altered, and non-repudiation by proving the signer's identity and intent.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ensure confidentiality
Why it's wrong here
Digital signatures do not encrypt data; they verify authenticity and integrity.
- ✗
Authenticate users via password
Why it's wrong here
Digital signatures use asymmetric cryptography, not passwords.
- ✗
Encrypt the data
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is for confidentiality; digital signatures do not encrypt.
- ✓
Provide non-repudiation and integrity
Why this is correct
Digital signatures bind the signer to the document and detect tampering.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Security Operations Basics
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
Non-repudiation
Non-repudiation is a security principle that ensures a party in a digital transaction cannot deny their involvement or the authenticity of their digital signature.
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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.