CCSP Cloud Data Security Practice Question
A healthcare company stores medical images in a cloud object storage bucket. The images are accessed by radiologists via a web application. The security team wants to ensure that data is encrypted in transit and that the encryption keys are not accessible to the cloud provider. Which solution should they implement?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that server-side encryption with customer-provided keys (SSE-C) keeps keys inaccessible to the provider, when in fact the keys are used within the provider's environment and could be exposed.
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
✓
Implement client-side encryption with keys stored in an on-premises HSM and enforce HTTPS for all access.
Client-side encryption with keys held in an on-premises HSM ensures the cloud provider never possesses the key material, so the provider cannot access the plaintext. Enforcing HTTPS encrypts data in transit, meeting both the transit encryption and key control requirements. This combination provides the necessary security for sensitive medical images.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable server-side encryption with customer-provided keys (SSE-C) and enforce HTTPS for all access.
Why it's wrong here
SSE-C allows the customer to provide the key with each request, but the key is transmitted to the provider and used in their environment, meaning the provider could potentially access it. This does not meet the requirement that keys are not accessible to the provider. HTTPS encrypts transit data, but key control is insufficient.
- ✗
Configure the bucket to use HTTPS with TLS 1.2 and enable server-side encryption with provider-managed keys.
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS with TLS 1.2 encrypts data in transit, but server-side encryption with provider-managed keys means the cloud provider controls the keys and can access the plaintext. This does not meet the requirement that keys are not accessible to the provider. While transit encryption is addressed, the key control requirement is not.
- ✓
Implement client-side encryption with keys stored in an on-premises HSM and enforce HTTPS for all access.
Why this is correct
Client-side encryption with keys in an on-premises HSM ensures the cloud provider never has access to the keys, satisfying the key control requirement. Enforcing HTTPS encrypts data in transit. Together, these meet both requirements: data is encrypted in transit and the provider cannot access the encryption keys.
- ✗
Use client-side encryption with keys stored in the cloud provider's KMS and enforce HTTPS for all access.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption with keys in the provider's KMS still gives the provider access to the keys, violating the requirement. HTTPS encrypts data in transit, but the key control is insufficient. The provider could potentially access the keys and decrypt the data, so this solution fails the key accessibility requirement.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 934 original CCSP practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.