- A
Implement network segmentation with VLANs and IPsec encryption between VMs.
Why wrong: Network isolation cannot prevent memory access if the hypervisor is compromised.
- B
Deploy a data loss prevention (DLP) system to monitor data transfers between VMs.
Why wrong: DLP is reactive and does not prevent the hypervisor from reading memory.
- C
Use a public key infrastructure (PKI) to issue certificates for each VM and enforce mutual TLS for all inter-VM communication.
Why wrong: TLS protects data in transit only, not memory or data at rest.
- D
Use a hardware security module (HSM) to manage keys and implement full memory encryption using AES-256 with integrity protection, and use a trusted execution environment (TEE) for each VM, ensuring that even the hypervisor cannot access VM memory.
TEE provides hardware-enforced isolation; HSM secures keys. Memory encryption protects data at rest and in use.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is the solution combining a hardware security module (HSM) for key management, full memory encryption with AES-256 and integrity protection, and a trusted execution environment (TEE) for each VM. This approach directly addresses the core requirement of protecting VMs from hypervisor compromise by ensuring that even if the hypervisor is breached, it cannot access decrypted VM memory. The TEE creates a hardware-enforced isolation boundary, while memory encryption with integrity protection prevents both unauthorized reads and tampering, effectively enforcing multi-tenant isolation at the hardware level rather than relying solely on hypervisor-based mandatory access control. On the CISSP exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Domain 3 (Security Architecture and Engineering) concept that virtualization security must assume a compromised hypervisor and therefore requires hardware-rooted trust. A common trap is choosing hypervisor-level MAC alone, which fails if the hypervisor itself is compromised. Memory tip: “TEE + HSM = hypervisor-proof isolation” — think of the TEE as a locked room that even the landlord (hypervisor) cannot enter.
CISSP Security Architecture and Engineering Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security architecture and engineering. 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.
A large financial institution is migrating its core banking system to a private cloud. The architecture must protect against data leakage between different business units sharing the same physical infrastructure. The system uses a hypervisor and virtual machines. Each business unit has its own security classification. The security requirement is that no VM belonging to a lower classification should be able to read data from a higher classification VM, even if the hypervisor is compromised. The architect proposes using mandatory access control at the hypervisor level. However, the IT team notes that a hypervisor compromise could bypass MAC. Additionally, they need to ensure that data at rest is encrypted and keys are stored securely. Which of the following would BEST meet the requirement?
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
Use a hardware security module (HSM) to manage keys and implement full memory encryption using AES-256 with integrity protection, and use a trusted execution environment (TEE) for each VM, ensuring that even the hypervisor cannot access VM memory.
Option D is correct because it addresses the core requirement: preventing data leakage even if the hypervisor is compromised. By using a hardware security module (HSM) for key management, full memory encryption with AES-256 and integrity protection, and a trusted execution environment (TEE) for each VM, the solution ensures that VM memory is encrypted and isolated at the hardware level. The hypervisor, even if compromised, cannot access the decrypted memory of a VM, thus enforcing the security classification separation regardless of hypervisor integrity.
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.
- ✗
Implement network segmentation with VLANs and IPsec encryption between VMs.
Why it's wrong here
Network isolation cannot prevent memory access if the hypervisor is compromised.
- ✗
Deploy a data loss prevention (DLP) system to monitor data transfers between VMs.
Why it's wrong here
DLP is reactive and does not prevent the hypervisor from reading memory.
- ✗
Use a public key infrastructure (PKI) to issue certificates for each VM and enforce mutual TLS for all inter-VM communication.
- ✓
Use a hardware security module (HSM) to manage keys and implement full memory encryption using AES-256 with integrity protection, and use a trusted execution environment (TEE) for each VM, ensuring that even the hypervisor cannot access VM memory.
Why this is correct
TEE provides hardware-enforced isolation; HSM secures keys. Memory encryption protects data at rest and in use.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often focus on network-level controls (like encryption or segmentation) and overlook the requirement that protection must hold even when the hypervisor is compromised, which demands hardware-enforced memory isolation rather than software-only solutions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A trusted execution environment (TEE), such as Intel SGX or AMD SEV, creates hardware-enforced enclaves that isolate VM memory from the host OS and hypervisor. Full memory encryption with integrity protection (e.g., using AES-XTS or AES-GCM) ensures that even if an attacker gains hypervisor-level access, they cannot read or tamper with VM memory without the keys stored in the HSM. In a real-world scenario, a financial institution with multiple business units sharing a private cloud could use AMD SEV-ES to encrypt each VM's memory with a unique key, preventing cross-VM data leakage even if the hypervisor is compromised.
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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Security Architecture and Engineering — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Security Architecture and Engineering — This question tests Security Architecture and Engineering — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a hardware security module (HSM) to manage keys and implement full memory encryption using AES-256 with integrity protection, and use a trusted execution environment (TEE) for each VM, ensuring that even the hypervisor cannot access VM memory. — Option D is correct because it addresses the core requirement: preventing data leakage even if the hypervisor is compromised. By using a hardware security module (HSM) for key management, full memory encryption with AES-256 and integrity protection, and a trusted execution environment (TEE) for each VM, the solution ensures that VM memory is encrypted and isolated at the hardware level. The hypervisor, even if compromised, cannot access the decrypted memory of a VM, thus enforcing the security classification separation regardless of hypervisor integrity.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on CISSP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is implementing a secure multi-tenant cloud environment. The primary security requirement is that tenants cannot access each other's data even if the hypervisor is compromised. Which architecture best meets this requirement?
hard- A.Encrypt each tenant's data with a single master key stored in the hypervisor.
- ✓ B.Use a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) such as Intel SGX to isolate tenant processes and memory.
- C.Implement Mandatory Access Control (MAC) on the hypervisor.
- D.Use VLANs to isolate tenant traffic at the network layer.
Why B: A Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) like Intel SGX creates hardware-enforced enclaves that isolate tenant processes and memory at the CPU level. Even if the hypervisor is compromised, the enclave's memory is encrypted and inaccessible to the host OS or hypervisor, ensuring tenant data remains confidential. This directly meets the requirement that tenants cannot access each other's data despite a hypervisor breach.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CISSP 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 CISSP exam.
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