Quick Answer
Encrypting the backup tapes is the correct choice because it provides data-centric protection that remains effective regardless of physical security failures during transport. While locks, couriers, or tamper-evident seals guard the media itself, encryption renders the sensitive data unreadable without the decryption key, directly addressing the confidentiality risk if the tapes are lost or stolen. On the CISSP exam, this question tests your understanding of defense in depth and the principle that data must be protected at rest, even in transit. A common trap is choosing physical security controls like bonded couriers or locked containers, which protect the asset but not the data; encryption is the only control that secures the actual information. Remember the mnemonic “Data over Device”—always prioritize protecting the data itself, not just the container.
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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.
An organization needs to ensure that backup tapes containing sensitive data are protected during transportation between sites. What is the most effective control?
Applying tamper-evident seals
Why wrong: Seals show opening but don't prevent data access.
Encrypting the backup tapes
Encryption protects data at rest in transit.
Using a chain of custody log
Why wrong: Logs don't protect data confidentiality.
Using a bonded courier service
Why wrong: Bonded courier reduces theft risk but not data exposure.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Encrypting the backup tapes
Encrypting the backup tapes ensures that even if the physical media is lost, stolen, or intercepted during transit, the sensitive data remains unreadable without the decryption key. This provides a strong, data-centric security control that protects confidentiality regardless of the physical security measures in place. Encryption is the most effective control because it directly addresses the risk of unauthorized access to the data itself.
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.
Applying tamper-evident seals
Why it's wrong here
Seals show opening but don't prevent data access.
Encrypting the backup tapes
Why this is correct
Encryption protects data at rest in transit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Using a chain of custody log
Why it's wrong here
Logs don't protect data confidentiality.
Using a bonded courier service
Why it's wrong here
Bonded courier reduces theft risk but not data exposure.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often choose a physical security control (like tamper-evident seals or bonded couriers) thinking it is sufficient, but the CISSP exam emphasizes that data-centric controls (encryption) are the most effective for protecting data in transit, as physical controls can be bypassed or fail.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Seals show opening but don't prevent data access.
Detailed technical explanation
Encryption of backup tapes typically uses AES-256 (Advanced Encryption Standard with 256-bit keys) as specified in NIST SP 800-38A, often implemented through hardware-based encryption on tape drives (e.g., LTO-4 and later with hardware encryption) or software-based encryption using tools like OpenSSL or BitLocker. The encryption key management is critical; if the key is stored on the tape itself or transmitted alongside it, the encryption is effectively useless. In real-world scenarios, organizations often use a key management system (KMS) to separate key storage from the encrypted media, ensuring that even if the tape is stolen, the key remains secure.
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
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Encrypting the backup tapes — Encrypting the backup tapes ensures that even if the physical media is lost, stolen, or intercepted during transit, the sensitive data remains unreadable without the decryption key. This provides a strong, data-centric security control that protects confidentiality regardless of the physical security measures in place. Encryption is the most effective control because it directly addresses the risk of unauthorized access to the data itself.
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 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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