- A
Use a VPN to encrypt data in transit between the on-premises environment and the cloud.
Why wrong: This protects data during transfer, but the image at rest in the cloud is still exposed.
- B
Use a cryptographic hash of the image to ensure integrity, and store the image in object storage with access controls.
Why wrong: Hashing ensures integrity, not confidentiality; the image remains unencrypted.
- C
Encrypt the virtual machine images using a customer-provided key (CMK) integrated with the cloud provider's key management service.
Encryption with a CMK ensures the provider cannot decrypt the image without the key.
- D
Tokenize the embedded credentials and replace them with placeholders in the image.
Why wrong: Tokenization is for sensitive data elements, not entire images, and may break functionality.
Quick Answer
Encrypting VM images with a customer-managed key (CMK) integrated with the cloud provider’s key management service is the best strategy because it ensures that only you—not the cloud provider’s administrators—can decrypt the embedded credentials and proprietary software. This works through envelope encryption, where your CMK wraps a data encryption key, and since you alone hold the master key material, the provider cannot access the image contents even if they manage the infrastructure. On the CCSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the shared responsibility model and data sovereignty, often appearing as a distractor where candidates mistakenly choose provider-managed keys or simple encryption at rest. A common trap is assuming that any encryption suffices, but the key distinction is who controls the key material. Remember: CMK = Customer Master Key = Customer Maintains Control.
CCSP Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud platform and infrastructure security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
During a cloud migration, a company discovers that its existing virtual machine images contain embedded credentials and proprietary software that must not be exposed to the cloud provider's administrators. Which of the following is the BEST strategy to protect this sensitive data while maintaining the ability to create new instances?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Encrypt the virtual machine images using a customer-provided key (CMK) integrated with the cloud provider's key management service.
Option C is correct because encrypting the virtual machine images with a customer-provided key (CMK) integrated with the cloud provider's key management service ensures that the cloud provider's administrators cannot access the embedded credentials and proprietary software. The encryption is performed client-side or using envelope encryption where the CMK wraps a data encryption key, and only the customer holds the master key material. This allows the customer to create new instances from the encrypted image while maintaining full control over access to the sensitive data.
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.
- ✗
Use a VPN to encrypt data in transit between the on-premises environment and the cloud.
Why it's wrong here
This protects data during transfer, but the image at rest in the cloud is still exposed.
- ✗
Use a cryptographic hash of the image to ensure integrity, and store the image in object storage with access controls.
Why it's wrong here
Hashing ensures integrity, not confidentiality; the image remains unencrypted.
- ✓
Encrypt the virtual machine images using a customer-provided key (CMK) integrated with the cloud provider's key management service.
Why this is correct
Encryption with a CMK ensures the provider cannot decrypt the image without the key.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Tokenize the embedded credentials and replace them with placeholders in the image.
Why it's wrong here
Tokenization is for sensitive data elements, not entire images, and may break functionality.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse integrity controls (hashing) with confidentiality controls (encryption), or assume that network-level protections like VPNs extend to data at rest, leading them to pick Option A or B instead of the correct encryption-based answer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CMK-based image encryption typically uses envelope encryption: the CMK (stored in the cloud KMS) encrypts a data encryption key (DEK), which then encrypts the image. The cloud provider's KMS enforces key usage policies so that even administrators with full infrastructure access cannot decrypt the image without the CMK. In a real-world scenario, this is critical for regulated industries like healthcare or finance where cloud provider personnel must be explicitly barred from accessing protected health information (PHI) or payment card data (PCI DSS).
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.
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Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security — This question tests Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Encrypt the virtual machine images using a customer-provided key (CMK) integrated with the cloud provider's key management service. — Option C is correct because encrypting the virtual machine images with a customer-provided key (CMK) integrated with the cloud provider's key management service ensures that the cloud provider's administrators cannot access the embedded credentials and proprietary software. The encryption is performed client-side or using envelope encryption where the CMK wraps a data encryption key, and only the customer holds the master key material. This allows the customer to create new instances from the encrypted image while maintaining full control over access to the sensitive data.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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.
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