This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud data security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 architect is designing a data loss prevention (DLP) solution for a SaaS application. The DLP must inspect data in transit between end users and the cloud as well as data at rest. Which combination of controls is most appropriate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Deploy a cloud DLP service for content inspection and enforce encryption at rest.
Option B is correct because a cloud DLP service (e.g., AWS Macie, Microsoft Purview) can inspect data in transit by analyzing API calls or traffic patterns, and encryption at rest (e.g., AES-256) protects stored data. This combination directly addresses both inspection of data in transit and protection of data at rest, which is the core requirement of the question.
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.
✗
Use network segmentation and security groups.
Why it's wrong here
Network segmentation does not provide DLP content inspection.
✓
Deploy a cloud DLP service for content inspection and enforce encryption at rest.
Why this is correct
Cloud DLP inspects data in transit and at rest; encryption protects at rest.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use encryption at rest and backup retention policies.
Implement a web application firewall (WAF) and a VPN.
Why it's wrong here
WAF and VPN protect transit but are not DLP content inspection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse a WAF (which inspects for attacks) with a DLP service (which inspects for sensitive data content), leading them to choose Option D despite it lacking content inspection for data in transit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud DLP services often use content inspection engines that apply regular expressions, machine learning models, or exact data matching (e.g., for credit card numbers or PII) to data in motion via API gateways or proxy agents. Encryption at rest typically uses envelope encryption with a key management service (KMS) to rotate keys and enforce access controls, ensuring that even if storage is compromised, data remains unreadable without the decryption key.
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 Data Security — This question tests Cloud Data Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy a cloud DLP service for content inspection and enforce encryption at rest. — Option B is correct because a cloud DLP service (e.g., AWS Macie, Microsoft Purview) can inspect data in transit by analyzing API calls or traffic patterns, and encryption at rest (e.g., AES-256) protects stored data. This combination directly addresses both inspection of data in transit and protection of data at rest, which is the core requirement of the question.
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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