The correct combination is digital signature with hashing. Hashing generates a fixed-size digest of the data, ensuring integrity because any change to the original data produces a different hash, while the digital signature encrypts that hash with the sender’s private key, providing non-repudiation by cryptographically binding the sender’s identity to the message and preventing denial of origin. On the CISSP exam, this concept tests your understanding of how asymmetric cryptography and one-way hash functions work together to satisfy both integrity and non-repudiation requirements, often appearing in domain 3 (Security Architecture and Engineering). A common trap is confusing this with a Message Authentication Code (MAC), which uses a shared secret and provides integrity and authentication but not non-repudiation. Remember: hash for integrity, sign for non-repudiation—think “hash it, then sign it.”
CISSP Security Architecture and Engineering Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security architecture and engineering. 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.
A security engineer is designing a cryptographic solution to ensure data integrity and non-repudiation. Which combination should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Digital signature with hashing
Digital signature with hashing is the correct combination because hashing ensures data integrity by producing a fixed-size digest, and the digital signature encrypts that hash with the sender's private key, providing non-repudiation by proving the sender's identity and preventing denial of message origin. This satisfies both requirements without relying on a shared secret.
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.
✗
HMAC with a shared key
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. HMAC provides integrity but no non-repudiation.
✗
Asymmetric encryption with digital signature
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The combination is not standard; digital signature alone provides both.
✓
Digital signature with hashing
Why this is correct
Correct. Digital signatures provide integrity and non-repudiation; hashing ensures integrity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Symmetric encryption with HMAC
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. HMAC provides integrity but not non-repudiation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'asymmetric encryption' with 'digital signature,' thinking encryption alone provides non-repudiation, but encryption only provides confidentiality, while a digital signature specifically uses the private key for signing (not encryption) to achieve non-repudiation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a digital signature works by hashing the message (e.g., SHA-256) and then encrypting the hash with the sender's private key using an algorithm like RSA or ECDSA. The recipient verifies by decrypting the signature with the sender's public key and comparing the hash to a freshly computed hash; a match confirms integrity and origin. In real-world scenarios like code signing or email signing (S/MIME), this ensures that even if the message is intercepted, the signature cannot be forged without the private key, and the sender cannot repudiate having signed it.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
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: Digital signature with hashing — Digital signature with hashing is the correct combination because hashing ensures data integrity by producing a fixed-size digest, and the digital signature encrypts that hash with the sender's private key, providing non-repudiation by proving the sender's identity and preventing denial of message origin. This satisfies both requirements without relying on a shared secret.
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.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.