This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud application security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A cloud application processes data subject to GDPR. The security team needs to ensure that all personally identifiable information (PII) is encrypted at rest and that access is logged. Which combination of controls should be implemented? (Select THREE)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement strict least privilege access controls
Option A is correct because strict least privilege access controls ensure that only authorized users or services can access PII, minimizing the risk of unauthorized exposure. This is a fundamental security principle for GDPR compliance, as it directly supports the data minimization and access control requirements. By restricting access to only what is necessary for a role, the organization reduces the attack surface and ensures that any access is intentional and auditable.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Implement strict least privilege access controls
Why this is correct
Limits who can access PII, reducing unauthorized access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Enable database encryption at rest
Why this is correct
Encrypts PII in the database, meeting the encryption requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Implement a key management system
Why it's wrong here
KMS is part of encryption but not a standalone control; encryption already implies key management.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between encryption at rest and in transit, so candidates may incorrectly select TLS (Option B) thinking it covers encryption requirements, but the question explicitly specifies 'at rest'.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Encryption at rest typically uses AES-256 with a key hierarchy where a master key encrypts data encryption keys (DEKs), which then encrypt the actual data. Logging for data access should capture user identity, timestamp, source IP, and the specific data accessed, often using a centralized logging system like AWS CloudTrail or Azure Monitor, with logs stored in an immutable format to meet GDPR audit requirements. In practice, combining least privilege with encryption ensures that even if an attacker gains access to the storage, they cannot decrypt the data without the proper keys, and any unauthorized access attempt is logged for forensic analysis.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Cloud Application Security — This question tests Cloud Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement strict least privilege access controls — Option A is correct because strict least privilege access controls ensure that only authorized users or services can access PII, minimizing the risk of unauthorized exposure. This is a fundamental security principle for GDPR compliance, as it directly supports the data minimization and access control requirements. By restricting access to only what is necessary for a role, the organization reduces the attack surface and ensures that any access is intentional and auditable.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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This CCSP 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 CCSP exam.
Question Discussion
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