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CCSP Practice Question: Server-Side Encryption with Provider-Managed Keys…
A company uses a cloud storage service to store sensitive customer data. They need to ensure that data is encrypted at rest using keys managed by the cloud provider. Which encryption model should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between 'provider-managed keys' (SSE-PMK) and 'customer-managed keys' (SSE-CMK or SSE-CPK), where candidates mistakenly choose SSE-CMK because it offers more control, but the question explicitly requires keys managed solely by the provider.
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
✓
Server-Side Encryption with Provider-Managed Keys (SSE-PMK)
The requirement specifies that the cloud provider manages the encryption keys. Server-Side Encryption with Provider-Managed Keys (SSE-PMK) uses keys that are entirely managed by the cloud provider for encrypting data at rest, with each object encrypted by a unique key that is itself encrypted by a regularly rotated master key. This aligns perfectly with the scenario where the customer does not want to manage keys.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Server-Side Encryption with Provider-Managed Keys (SSE-PMK)
Why this is correct
This model uses keys managed entirely by the cloud provider, which matches the requirement.
- ✗
Server-Side Encryption with Customer-Managed Keys (SSE-CMK)
Why it's wrong here
This model uses a key management system where the customer manages the keys, offering more control but violating the requirement for provider-managed keys.
- ✗
Client-Side Encryption (CSE)
Why it's wrong here
Client-Side Encryption requires the customer to manage encryption keys themselves, which does not meet the requirement.
- ✗
Server-Side Encryption with Customer-Provided Keys (SSE-CPK)
Why it's wrong here
This model allows the customer to provide their own encryption keys, which again requires customer management of keys.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.