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CCSP Practice Question: Stores archival data in cloud cold storage and…
An organization stores archival data in cloud cold storage and requires each customer's data to be encrypted with unique keys managed by the customer. Which encryption approach meets this requirement?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between where encryption occurs (client-side vs. server-side) and who manages the keys, leading candidates to mistakenly choose SSE-C because it involves customer-provided keys, even though the encryption still happens on the server side.
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
✓
Client-side encryption
Client-side encryption ensures that data is encrypted before it is sent to the cloud, and the customer retains sole control over the encryption keys. This approach meets the requirement for each customer's data to be encrypted with unique keys managed by the customer, as the cloud provider never has access to the keys or the unencrypted data.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Server-side encryption with customer-managed keys (SSE-KMS)
Why it's wrong here
Keys are managed in the cloud, giving the provider potential access.
- ✗
Server-side encryption with cloud-provider keys (SSE-S3)
Why it's wrong here
Uses shared keys, not unique per customer.
- ✗
Server-side encryption with customer-provided keys (SSE-C)
Why it's wrong here
SSE-C requires the customer to send the key with each upload, which is inconvenient for archival.
- ✓
Client-side encryption
Why this is correct
Customer encrypts data before upload with their own keys, ensuring uniqueness and control.
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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.