- A
IOMMU (Input-Output Memory Management Unit)
Why wrong: Incorrect. IOMMU provides isolation for device-initiated DMA accesses, not for CPU memory accesses between virtual machines. It does prevent devices from reading arbitrary VM memory but does not protect against a VM reading another VM's memory via CPU instructions.
- B
Intel TXT (Trusted Execution Technology)
Why wrong: Incorrect. Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) provides a measured and verified launch environment, ensuring system integrity at boot, but it does not provide runtime memory isolation between VMs.
- C
Intel SGX (Software Guard Extensions)
Why wrong: Incorrect. Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) creates encrypted enclaves within a process to protect sensitive data from other software, including the OS and hypervisor. It does not isolate memory between different VMs.
- D
AMD SEV (Secure Encrypted Virtualization)
Correct. AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV) encrypts the memory of each VM using a unique key, so even if a malicious VM attempts to read memory allocated to another VM, it will only see encrypted data, thus providing hardware-assisted memory isolation.
CCSP A cloud provider uses KVM as its hypervisor Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of a cloud provider uses kvm as its hypervisor. 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 provider uses KVM as its hypervisor. To prevent a malicious VM from reading memory allocated to another VM, which hardware-assisted memory isolation technology should be enabled?
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
AMD SEV (Secure Encrypted Virtualization)
AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV) encrypts the memory of each VM with a unique key, preventing a malicious VM from reading another VM's memory. This hardware-assisted technology isolates VM memory at the hardware level, making it the correct choice for this scenario. IOMMU (Input-Output Memory Management Unit) controls device DMA access, not CPU memory accesses between VMs. Intel TXT ensures trusted boot, and Intel SGX protects application enclaves, neither of which prevent cross-VM memory reads.
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.
- ✗
IOMMU (Input-Output Memory Management Unit)
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. IOMMU provides isolation for device-initiated DMA accesses, not for CPU memory accesses between virtual machines. It does prevent devices from reading arbitrary VM memory but does not protect against a VM reading another VM's memory via CPU instructions.
- ✗
Intel TXT (Trusted Execution Technology)
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) provides a measured and verified launch environment, ensuring system integrity at boot, but it does not provide runtime memory isolation between VMs.
- ✗
Intel SGX (Software Guard Extensions)
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) creates encrypted enclaves within a process to protect sensitive data from other software, including the OS and hypervisor. It does not isolate memory between different VMs.
- ✓
AMD SEV (Secure Encrypted Virtualization)
Why this is correct
Correct. AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV) encrypts the memory of each VM using a unique key, so even if a malicious VM attempts to read memory allocated to another VM, it will only see encrypted data, thus providing hardware-assisted memory isolation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 CCSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AMD SEV (Secure Encrypted Virtualization) — AMD Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV) encrypts the memory of each VM with a unique key, preventing a malicious VM from reading another VM's memory. This hardware-assisted technology isolates VM memory at the hardware level, making it the correct choice for this scenario. IOMMU (Input-Output Memory Management Unit) controls device DMA access, not CPU memory accesses between VMs. Intel TXT ensures trusted boot, and Intel SGX protects application enclaves, neither of which prevent cross-VM memory reads.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Identify which CCSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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