- A
Restrict inbound SSH access to only a bastion host's IP address, generate a new 2048-bit RSA key pair, configure the application to send logs via TLS to a centralized logging service, and enable server-side encryption for the logging bucket.
This fully addresses both vulnerabilities and logging requirements.
- B
Implement a VPN connection for all administrative access, keep the existing key pair, and use a third-party logging tool with TLS.
Why wrong: VPN does not fix the weak key, and the existing key pair remains vulnerable.
- C
Change the SSH port to a non-standard port, keep the existing key pair, and enable logging to a cloud storage bucket without encryption.
Why wrong: Changing port is not a security fix, and weak key remains; unencrypted logs are not compliant.
- D
Disable SSH access entirely and use a serial console for administration, keep the existing key pair, and send logs via plaintext syslog to a logging server.
Why wrong: Disabling SSH is impractical, and plaintext logs are insecure.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to restrict inbound SSH access to only a bastion host’s IP address, generate a new 2048-bit RSA key pair, configure the application to send logs via TLS to a centralized logging service, and enable server-side encryption for the logging bucket. This combination directly remediates SSH open to internet weak key pair vulnerabilities by eliminating the broad 0.0.0.0/0 exposure and replacing the insecure 1024-bit RSA key with a stronger 2048-bit key, all without requiring application downtime. On the CCSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of secure access controls and cryptographic hygiene for PHI compliance, often appearing as a multi-step remediation question where a common trap is to suggest changing the security group to a different wide range or using a weaker key for speed. Remember the memory tip: “Bastion, Bigger Bits, TLS, and Bucket Encryption” — each element addresses a distinct compliance requirement: access restriction, key strength, transit encryption, and at-rest encryption.
CCSP Cloud Security Operations Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud security operations. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A healthcare organization has deployed a cloud-based application that handles protected health information (PHI). The application runs on virtual machines in a virtual private cloud (VPC). The security team has implemented security groups to control traffic to the VMs. Recently, an external penetration test revealed that a web server VM is accessible from the internet on port 22 (SSH) from any IP address (0.0.0.0/0). The security team also discovered that the SSH key pair used for the web server was created with a weak algorithm (1024-bit RSA). The team needs to remediate these issues without causing downtime for the application. Additionally, the application logs must be sent to a centralized logging solution that is encrypted in transit and at rest. Which combination of actions should the security team take?
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
Restrict inbound SSH access to only a bastion host's IP address, generate a new 2048-bit RSA key pair, configure the application to send logs via TLS to a centralized logging service, and enable server-side encryption for the logging bucket.
Option A is correct because it addresses both critical vulnerabilities without downtime: restricting SSH to a bastion host's IP eliminates internet-wide exposure, and generating a new 2048-bit RSA key pair replaces the weak 1024-bit key. For logging, TLS ensures encryption in transit, and server-side encryption for the logging bucket ensures encryption at rest, meeting compliance requirements for PHI.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Restrict inbound SSH access to only a bastion host's IP address, generate a new 2048-bit RSA key pair, configure the application to send logs via TLS to a centralized logging service, and enable server-side encryption for the logging bucket.
Why this is correct
This fully addresses both vulnerabilities and logging requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Implement a VPN connection for all administrative access, keep the existing key pair, and use a third-party logging tool with TLS.
Why it's wrong here
VPN does not fix the weak key, and the existing key pair remains vulnerable.
- ✗
Change the SSH port to a non-standard port, keep the existing key pair, and enable logging to a cloud storage bucket without encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Changing port is not a security fix, and weak key remains; unencrypted logs are not compliant.
- ✗
Disable SSH access entirely and use a serial console for administration, keep the existing key pair, and send logs via plaintext syslog to a logging server.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling SSH is impractical, and plaintext logs are insecure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between security by obscurity (e.g., changing ports) and actual security controls (e.g., restricting IPs and using strong keys), leading candidates to pick options that seem quick but fail compliance requirements.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
1024-bit RSA is considered weak because it can be factored with sufficient computational resources (e.g., using the GNFS algorithm), and NIST deprecated it for use beyond 2013. Security groups in a VPC are stateful firewalls that filter traffic at the instance level; restricting SSH to a bastion host's IP (e.g., 10.0.1.5/32) reduces the attack surface. TLS for log transport (e.g., syslog over TLS per RFC 5425) and server-side encryption (e.g., AES-256 for S3 buckets) are standard for protecting PHI in transit and at rest.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Cloud Security Operations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Cloud Security Operations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CCSP questions
504 questions across all exam domains
- →
Certified Cloud Security Professional CCSP study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CCSP practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CCSP practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Cloud Application Security practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Application Security.
Cloud Security Operations practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Security Operations.
Legal, Risk and Compliance practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Legal, Risk and Compliance.
Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design.
Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security.
Cloud Data Security practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to Cloud Data Security.
CCSP fundamentals practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to CCSP fundamentals.
CCSP scenario practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to CCSP scenario.
CCSP troubleshooting practice questions
Practise CCSP questions linked to CCSP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free CCSP practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Security Operations — This question tests Cloud Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Restrict inbound SSH access to only a bastion host's IP address, generate a new 2048-bit RSA key pair, configure the application to send logs via TLS to a centralized logging service, and enable server-side encryption for the logging bucket. — Option A is correct because it addresses both critical vulnerabilities without downtime: restricting SSH to a bastion host's IP eliminates internet-wide exposure, and generating a new 2048-bit RSA key pair replaces the weak 1024-bit key. For logging, TLS ensures encryption in transit, and server-side encryption for the logging bucket ensures encryption at rest, meeting compliance requirements for PHI.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More CCSP practice questions
- Refer to the exhibit. An administrator is reviewing an AWS S3 bucket policy. Based on the policy, which of the following…
- Which TWO of the following are required for GDPR compliance when processing personal data in the cloud?
- A cloud provider experiences a data breach affecting customer data. Which of the following laws most likely requires the…
- A company is performing a risk assessment of its cloud environment. They have identified a risk with a likelihood of 4 (…
- A company is implementing a secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) for its cloud-native applications. Which pract…
- A company wants to ensure that its cloud provider's data deletion process is verifiable. Which of the following should t…
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.