This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud data security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO data states must be encrypted to meet common compliance requirements for data in the cloud? (Choose two.)
Data in audit logs
Why wrong: Audit logs are a subset of data at rest.
Data in backup
Why wrong: Backups are part of data at rest.
Data at rest
Required by regulations like PCI DSS, HIPAA.
Data in transit
Required to prevent interception.
Data in use
Why wrong: Not commonly required; emerging technologies.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Data at rest
Data at rest (C) must be encrypted because compliance frameworks like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR require protection of stored data against unauthorized access. Encryption at rest typically uses AES-256 or similar algorithms to secure data on disks, databases, or object storage, ensuring that even if physical media is compromised, the data remains unreadable.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Data in audit logs
Why it's wrong here
Audit logs are a subset of data at rest.
Data in backup
Why it's wrong here
Backups are part of data at rest.
Data at rest
Why this is correct
Required by regulations like PCI DSS, HIPAA.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Data in transit
Why this is correct
Required to prevent interception.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Data in use
Why it's wrong here
Not commonly required; emerging technologies.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the distinction between data states and data locations, so the trap here is that candidates confuse 'data in backup' or 'data in audit logs' as separate states when they are actually subsets of data at rest or in transit.
Detailed technical explanation
Data at rest encryption is implemented at the storage layer (e.g., AWS EBS encryption using AES-256-XTS, or SQL Server TDE) and often relies on key management services like AWS KMS or Azure Key Vault. Data in transit encryption uses protocols such as TLS 1.3 (RFC 8446) or IPsec to protect data moving over networks, with HTTPS (port 443) being the most common implementation. A subtle behavior is that encryption at rest does not automatically protect data in transit, and vice versa, so both must be explicitly configured to meet compliance requirements like PCI DSS Requirement 3.4 and Requirement 4.1.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Cloud Data Security — This question tests Cloud Data Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Data at rest — Data at rest (C) must be encrypted because compliance frameworks like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR require protection of stored data against unauthorized access. Encryption at rest typically uses AES-256 or similar algorithms to secure data on disks, databases, or object storage, ensuring that even if physical media is compromised, the data remains unreadable.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
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