This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud data security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
$ az keyvault key list --vault-name myVault
[
{
"kid": "https://myVault.vault.azure.net/keys/myKey/abc123",
"attributes": {
"enabled": true,
"created": 1590000000,
"updated": 1590000000
},
"tags": {
"usage": "encryption"
}
}
]
$ openssl s_client -connect myserver.cloudapp.net:443 -servername myserver.cloudapp.net
CONNECTED(00000003)
140735123456:error:14094410:SSL routines:ssl3_read_bytes:sslv3 alert handshake failure:s3_pkt.c:1487:SSL alert number 40
```
An Azure application uses a key vault key for client-side encryption of data. The application also communicates with a cloud service over HTTPS. After deploying, the handshake failure occurs. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The client and server do not have a common TLS version or cipher suite
The handshake failure occurs at the transport layer (TLS/SSL), which is independent of client-side encryption using a key vault key. The most likely cause is a mismatch in TLS versions or cipher suites between the client and server, as HTTPS relies on a successful TLS handshake. Options A, B, and D relate to the key vault key's availability or configuration, which would not cause a TLS handshake failure.
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.
✗
The application is using the wrong key version
Why it's wrong here
Key version mismatch would not cause a TLS handshake failure.
✗
The key vault key is not accessible due to network restrictions
Why it's wrong here
Network restrictions would cause a different error.
✓
The client and server do not have a common TLS version or cipher suite
Why this is correct
Alert 40 indicates handshake failure due to version/cipher mismatch.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The key vault key is not enabled for encryption
Why it's wrong here
The key is enabled and tagged for encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse client-side encryption (using a key vault key) with transport-layer security (TLS), assuming a key-related issue causes the handshake failure, when in fact the handshake is a separate protocol layer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
During a TLS handshake, the client and server negotiate a common TLS version (e.g., TLS 1.2 or 1.3) and a cipher suite (e.g., TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256). If either side does not support the other's offered versions or suites, the handshake fails with an alert like 'handshake_failure' (RFC 5246). This is distinct from application-layer encryption, which uses the key vault key for client-side data protection and does not affect the TLS negotiation.
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 Data Security — This question tests Cloud Data Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The client and server do not have a common TLS version or cipher suite — The handshake failure occurs at the transport layer (TLS/SSL), which is independent of client-side encryption using a key vault key. The most likely cause is a mismatch in TLS versions or cipher suites between the client and server, as HTTPS relies on a successful TLS handshake. Options A, B, and D relate to the key vault key's availability or configuration, which would not cause a TLS handshake failure.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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