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 of the following are valid data states that must be protected in cloud computing?
Data encryption
Why wrong: Encryption is a protection measure, not a state.
Data at rest
Data at rest is a standard state requiring protection.
Data in transit
Data in transit is a standard state requiring protection.
Data integrity
Why wrong: Integrity is a security goal, not a state.
Data in database
Why wrong: Data in database is a subset of data at rest.
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
In cloud computing, data exists in three primary states: at rest (stored on disk or in memory), in transit (moving across networks), and in use (being processed). The CCSP exam specifically identifies 'data at rest' and 'data in transit' as the two fundamental data states that require protection through encryption, access controls, and integrity mechanisms. Option B is correct because data at rest refers to inactive data stored physically on any digital device, such as databases, backups, or archives, and must be safeguarded against unauthorized access or theft.
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 encryption
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is a protection measure, not a state.
Data at rest
Why this is correct
Data at rest is a standard state requiring protection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Data in transit
Why this is correct
Data in transit is a standard state requiring protection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Data integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity is a security goal, not a state.
Data in database
Why it's wrong here
Data in database is a subset of data at rest.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the distinction between security controls (like encryption or integrity) and the actual data states that must be protected, causing candidates to confuse a protection mechanism with a state classification.
Detailed technical explanation
Data at rest protection typically involves AES-256 encryption for storage volumes (e.g., EBS encryption in AWS or Azure Disk Encryption) and key management via services like AWS KMS or Azure Key Vault. Data in transit is secured using TLS 1.2/1.3 for network communications, with protocols like HTTPS, SFTP, or IPsec VPNs ensuring confidentiality and integrity during transmission. A subtle behavior is that data can transition between states—for example, when a VM is migrated live, data at rest on the source host becomes data in transit over the network, requiring overlapping security controls.
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 — In cloud computing, data exists in three primary states: at rest (stored on disk or in memory), in transit (moving across networks), and in use (being processed). The CCSP exam specifically identifies 'data at rest' and 'data in transit' as the two fundamental data states that require protection through encryption, access controls, and integrity mechanisms. Option B is correct because data at rest refers to inactive data stored physically on any digital device, such as databases, backups, or archives, and must be safeguarded against unauthorized access or theft.
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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