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Security Architecture and Engineering →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

CISSP Security Architecture and Engineering Practice Question

This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security architecture and engineering. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.

Exhibit

// AWS CloudTrail log event (truncated)
{
    "eventVersion": "1.08",
    "userIdentity": {
        "arn": "arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/AdminRole",
        "principalId": "AROAEXAMPLEID:admin"
    },
    "eventTime": "2023-08-15T14:30:00Z",
    "eventSource": "kms.amazonaws.com",
    "sourceIPAddress": "192.0.2.10",
    "userAgent": "signer.amazonaws.com",
    "requestParameters": {
        "keyId": "arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/1234abcd-12ab-34cd-56ef-1234567890ab",
        "signingAlgorithm": "RSASSA_PKCS1_V1_5_SHA_256",
        "messageType": "DIGEST",
        "message": "base64-encoded-digest"
    },
    "responseElements": null,
    "eventName": "Sign",
    "readOnly": true,
    "resources": [{
        "ARN": "arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/1234abcd-12ab-34cd-56ef-1234567890ab",
        "accountId": "123456789012"
    }],
    "recipientAccountId": "123456789012"
}

Refer to the exhibit. A security administrator is reviewing CloudTrail logs for unusual activity. Which aspect of this event is potentially concerning from a key management perspective?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
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Exhibit

// AWS CloudTrail log event (truncated)
{
    "eventVersion": "1.08",
    "userIdentity": {
        "arn": "arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/AdminRole",
        "principalId": "AROAEXAMPLEID:admin"
    },
    "eventTime": "2023-08-15T14:30:00Z",
    "eventSource": "kms.amazonaws.com",
    "sourceIPAddress": "192.0.2.10",
    "userAgent": "signer.amazonaws.com",
    "requestParameters": {
        "keyId": "arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/1234abcd-12ab-34cd-56ef-1234567890ab",
        "signingAlgorithm": "RSASSA_PKCS1_V1_5_SHA_256",
        "messageType": "DIGEST",
        "message": "base64-encoded-digest"
    },
    "responseElements": null,
    "eventName": "Sign",
    "readOnly": true,
    "resources": [{
        "ARN": "arn:aws:kms:us-east-1:123456789012:key/1234abcd-12ab-34cd-56ef-1234567890ab",
        "accountId": "123456789012"
    }],
    "recipientAccountId": "123456789012"
}

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

✓

The user agent indicates the request came from AWS Signer using a customer-managed key, which may violate key usage policies.

The event shows a KMS Sign operation using a CMK. The user agent is 'signer.amazonaws.com', which is the AWS Signer service. AWS Signer typically uses its own managed keys. The use of a customer-managed key (CMK) by Signer could indicate that the key is being used outside of its intended purpose or policy, potentially violating key usage restrictions. Also, the source IP is from outside AWS (public IP) which might be unusual if the key is restricted to VPC endpoints.

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.

  • ✗

    The event is read-only and thus not a security concern.

    Why it's wrong here

    Read-only events can still indicate misuse of cryptographic keys.

  • ✗

    The message type is DIGEST, which is unusual for signing.

    Why it's wrong here

    DIGEST is a common message type for signing operations.

  • ✓

    The user agent indicates the request came from AWS Signer using a customer-managed key, which may violate key usage policies.

    Why this is correct

    AWS Signer typically uses AWS managed keys; using a CMK could be unauthorized.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • ✗

    The signing algorithm used is outdated.

    Why it's wrong here

    RSASSA_PKCS1_V1_5_SHA_256 is still considered acceptable for many use cases.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

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.
  • Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

  • Underline the problem statement mentally.
  • 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 CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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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: The user agent indicates the request came from AWS Signer using a customer-managed key, which may violate key usage policies. — The event shows a KMS Sign operation using a CMK. The user agent is 'signer.amazonaws.com', which is the AWS Signer service. AWS Signer typically uses its own managed keys. The use of a customer-managed key (CMK) by Signer could indicate that the key is being used outside of its intended purpose or policy, potentially violating key usage restrictions. Also, the source IP is from outside AWS (public IP) which might be unusual if the key is restricted to VPC endpoints.

What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?

Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026

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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.