CCSP Cloud Data Security Practice Question
A company is migrating its on-premises database to a cloud-based managed database service. The security policy requires that data at rest be encrypted and that the company retain control over key rotation. Which cloud service should they use to meet these requirements?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse encryption at rest with key control; default provider encryption encrypts data but does not give the customer control over rotation.
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
✓
Cloud HSM or Key Management Service (KMS) with customer-managed keys.
A cloud HSM or KMS with customer-managed keys gives the company control over key lifecycle, including rotation, while still encrypting data at rest. Provider-managed keys, client-side encryption with local key storage, and TDE with in-database keys either cede rotation control or introduce operational risks that fail the policy requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cloud HSM or Key Management Service (KMS) with customer-managed keys.
Why this is correct
Using a cloud HSM or KMS with customer-managed keys allows the company to create, rotate, and disable keys according to its own policies. The cloud provider manages the hardware but cannot access key material. This meets both encryption at rest and customer control over rotation.
- ✗
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with keys stored in the database.
Why it's wrong here
TDE with keys stored in the database encrypts data at rest, but the keys reside within the database environment. This may not provide sufficient separation of duties, and rotation control may be limited to database administrators rather than the security team. It does not fully meet the requirement for customer-controlled rotation.
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Cloud provider's default encryption with provider-managed keys.
Why it's wrong here
Default encryption with provider-managed keys means the provider controls key rotation and access. The company cannot enforce its own rotation schedule or retain full control. This fails the requirement to retain control over key rotation, even though data at rest is encrypted.
- ✗
Client-side encryption with keys stored in a local file server.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption with keys on a local file server encrypts data before it reaches the cloud, but key management becomes an on-premises burden. It may not integrate with the managed database service, and losing the file server could render data unrecoverable. It also does not leverage cloud-native rotation features.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.