ISC2 CC Security Principles Practice Question
What is the primary purpose of hashing in information security?
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
✓
To ensure data integrity
Hashing is used to verify data integrity by detecting changes to the data.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To provide availability
Why it's wrong here
Hashing does not contribute to availability.
- ✗
To encrypt data for confidentiality
Why it's wrong here
Hashing is not encryption; it is a one-way function.
- ✓
To ensure data integrity
Why this is correct
Hashing produces a digest that changes if the data is modified, ensuring integrity.
- ✗
To authenticate users
Why it's wrong here
Hashing can be part of authentication (e.g., password storage) but its primary purpose is integrity.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Security Principles
Key term
Confidentiality Integrity and Availability
The CIA Triad is a foundational security model that ensures data is kept secret, unaltered, and accessible when needed.
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.