CCSP Cloud Application Security Practice Question
A security team is reviewing controls for a cloud application that transmits personally identifiable information (PII) over the internet. Which TWO controls are essential for protecting data in transit?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between 'essential' controls for data in transit versus 'helpful' or 'related' controls, so candidates mistakenly pick IPsec VPNs (Option C) because they associate VPNs with secure transmission, even though TLS is the standard and essential control for web-based cloud applications.
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 of signed certificates from a trusted CA
Option A is correct because signed certificates from a trusted Certificate Authority authenticate the server's identity and enable the client to establish a trusted TLS session, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks on PII in transit. Option D is correct because TLS 1.2 or higher provides strong, modern cryptographic protection (e.g., AES-GCM, ECDHE key exchange) for data transmitted over untrusted networks like the internet. Together, these controls directly secure data in transit by ensuring both endpoint authenticity and encryption. Option B (penetration testing) is a validation activity, not a protective in-transit control. Option C (IPsec VPNs) can encrypt traffic but is not essential for a cloud application exposed to arbitrary internet clients, where TLS is the appropriate mechanism. Option E (AES-256 at rest) protects stored data, not data in transit.
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 of signed certificates from a trusted CA
Why this is correct
Signed certificates from a trusted certificate authority let the client verify the server's identity during the TLS handshake, preventing man-in-the-middle interception of PII in transit. Without this authentication, encryption alone cannot confirm the endpoint, so it satisfies the stem's essential control for protecting data in transit.
- ✗
Regular penetration testing
Why it's wrong here
Penetration testing validates controls periodically but does not protect PII while it crosses the network; encryption such as TLS is required for data in transit. It tempts because penetration testing is a recognised assurance activity, and it is correct for assessing the effectiveness of deployed controls rather than securing live traffic.
- ✗
Implementation of IPsec VPNs
Why it's wrong here
IPsec VPNs encrypt traffic between configured gateways or hosts, not arbitrary browser-to-application sessions over the public internet, so PII in transit to end users remains unprotected without TLS. It tempts because IPsec is a strong transit encryption standard, and it is correct for site-to-site or remote-access tunnels between known endpoints.
- ✓
Use of TLS 1.2 or higher
Why this is correct
TLS 1.2 or higher provides the current cipher suites and handshake protections needed to encrypt PII in transit, whereas SSL and early TLS versions carry known weaknesses. Enforcing this minimum version satisfies the stem's requirement for an essential control protecting data crossing the internet.
- ✗
Encryption at rest using AES-256
Why it's wrong here
AES-256 at rest protects stored data, not PII crossing the internet, so it leaves the transmission path exposed to interception. It is tempting because encryption at rest is a core cloud control, and it would be the right choice when the requirement is protecting data held on disk or in object storage.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
Go deeper
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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.