CCSP Cloud Security Operations Practice Question
A company uses AWS CloudTrail with log file validation enabled. An auditor wants to verify that a specific log file has not been tampered with. Which process should the auditor use to confirm the integrity of the CloudTrail log file?
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
✓
Use the AWS CLI command 'aws cloudtrail validate-logs' which automatically verifies the digital signature and hash
CloudTrail log file validation uses SHA-256 hashing and digital signatures. The log file digest file contains the hash of the log file and is signed by a private key. To verify, the auditor uses the public key (from AWS) to verify the signature on the digest, then compares the hash of the log file to the hash in the digest.
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 the AWS CLI command 'aws cloudtrail validate-logs' which automatically verifies the digital signature and hash
Why this is correct
The validate-logs command performs the verification using the digest files and public key.
- ✗
Check the log file’s last modified timestamp against the CloudTrail delivery timestamp
Why it's wrong here
Timestamps can be altered; cryptographic verification is needed.
- ✗
Compare the log file’s SHA-256 hash with the hash stored in AWS Key Management Service (KMS)
Why it's wrong here
The hash is not stored in KMS; it is in the digest file.
- ✗
Review the log file’s integrity using the SHA-256 checksum provided in the S3 object metadata
Why it's wrong here
S3 object metadata checksums are not signed and can be tampered with.
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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.