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CCSP Practice Question: A company uses cloud storage for sensitive data…
A company uses cloud storage for sensitive data and wants to ensure that the cloud provider cannot access their encryption keys. Which approach should they implement?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between 'cloud-managed' and 'customer-managed' keys, where candidates mistakenly think that using hardware keys (HSM) automatically prevents provider access, but the trap is that provider-managed HSMs still give the provider administrative control over the hardware.
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 External Key Manager (EKM)
Cloud External Key Manager (EKM) allows the customer to manage and store encryption keys outside the cloud provider's infrastructure, often in an on-premises HSM or a third-party key management system. This ensures the cloud provider never has access to the plaintext keys, meeting the requirement that the provider cannot access the encryption keys. EKM typically uses protocols like PKCS#11 or KMIP to allow the cloud service to perform cryptographic operations without exposing the keys to the provider.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Cloud KMS with software keys
Why it's wrong here
Software-protected Cloud KMS keys are generated, stored and unwrapped within Google's infrastructure, so the provider retains the technical ability to access them. It is tempting because KMS centralises key management and auditing, which is correct when you need control and rotation rather than sole custody.
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Cloud KMS with hardware keys
Why it's wrong here
Hardware-backed Cloud KMS keys still reside in Google-managed HSMs, so the provider administers the key material and can access it. It is tempting because hardware protection sounds like exclusive custody, and it is the right answer when regulatory hardware assurance is required rather than provider exclusion.
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Cloud HSM
Why it's wrong here
Cloud HSM stores keys in FIPS 140-2 Level 3 hardware but the provider still administers that hardware and its key hierarchy, so it does not meet the requirement. It is tempting because HSM-backed keys are the strongest KMS protection, and would be right when hardware assurance, not provider exclusion, is the goal.
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Cloud External Key Manager (EKM)
Why this is correct
Cloud External Key Manager stores and manages keys in an external, customer-controlled system outside the cloud provider's infrastructure. The provider only brokers cryptographic operations, so it never holds the key material and cannot access the encrypted data.
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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.