- A
Tokenization
Tokenization provides a non-reversible substitute for the original data.
- B
Pseudonymisation
Why wrong: Pseudonymisation can be reversible with proper mapping.
- C
Masking
Why wrong: Masking partially hides data but may still be reversible.
- D
Bucketing
Why wrong: Bucketing generalizes data into ranges, not suitable for unique IDs.
Question 635 of 1,000
CCSP Cloud Data Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud data security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 security engineer needs to de-identify a dataset containing credit card numbers before sharing it with a third-party analytics team. The engineer wants to replace each credit card number with a unique token that can be used for correlation but cannot be reversed to obtain the original number. Which de-identification technique should be used?
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
✓
Tokenization
Tokenization replaces sensitive data with a non-reversible token, preserving the ability to correlate records without exposing the original values.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Tokenization
Why this is correct
Tokenization provides a non-reversible substitute for the original data.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Pseudonymisation
Why it's wrong here
Pseudonymisation can be reversible with proper mapping.
- ✗
Masking
Why it's wrong here
Masking partially hides data but may still be reversible.
- ✗
Bucketing
Why it's wrong here
Bucketing generalizes data into ranges, not suitable for unique IDs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CCSP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Data Security — This question tests Cloud Data Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Tokenization — Tokenization replaces sensitive data with a non-reversible token, preserving the ability to correlate records without exposing the original values.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CCSP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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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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