ISC Security Planning And Engineering Practice Question
A system is being designed to process PII. The requirement is to maintain data sovereignty while utilizing a hybrid cloud model. What architectural strategy best achieves this?
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 Cloud HSM to store keys and keep raw PII in an on-premises database.
Data at rest is kept on-premises in a sovereign zone, while ephemeral processing is performed in the cloud, utilizing encryption with customer-managed keys (CMK) stored on-premises to ensure control.
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 a full database mirror in the cloud without encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Lack of encryption and data sovereignty controls creates significant regulatory risk.
- ✗
Migrate all data to the cloud and rely on the Cloud Service Provider's encryption-at-rest.
Why it's wrong here
This does not guarantee sovereignty or control over the encryption keys.
- ✓
Use Cloud HSM to store keys and keep raw PII in an on-premises database.
Why this is correct
Keeping the data locally and using cloud keys for processing ensures sovereignty.
- ✗
Use public cloud object storage and rely on IP whitelisting.
Why it's wrong here
IP whitelisting is not a substitute for data sovereignty and encryption.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official (ISC)² exam blueprint
This ISC practice question is part of Courseiva's free (ISC)² 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 ISC exam.