- A
TLS_DHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA
Why wrong: DHE provides forward secrecy but RSA certificates are larger, and CBC mode is slower than GCM.
- B
TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA256
Why wrong: RSA key exchange lacks forward secrecy, and CBC mode is less efficient than GCM.
- C
TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256
Why wrong: This is also strong but uses RSA certificates, which are larger than ECDSA for equivalent security.
- D
TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
This suite offers forward secrecy, strong authentication with ECDSA, and efficient authenticated encryption.
Question 824 of 1,000
SSCP Cryptography Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of cryptography. 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 administrator is configuring a web server to use TLS. They want to optimize performance while maintaining strong security. Which cipher suite should they prioritize?
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
✓
TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
Option D is correct because TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384 uses Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral (ECDHE) for perfect forward secrecy, ECDSA for efficient authentication, AES-256 in GCM mode for authenticated encryption, and SHA-384 for integrity. This combination provides the strongest security with modern, optimized algorithms, making it the best choice for performance and security on a TLS web server.
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.
- ✗
TLS_DHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA
Why it's wrong here
DHE provides forward secrecy but RSA certificates are larger, and CBC mode is slower than GCM.
- ✗
TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA256
Why it's wrong here
RSA key exchange lacks forward secrecy, and CBC mode is less efficient than GCM.
- ✗
TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256
Why it's wrong here
This is also strong but uses RSA certificates, which are larger than ECDSA for equivalent security.
- ✓
TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
Why this is correct
This suite offers forward secrecy, strong authentication with ECDSA, and efficient authenticated encryption.
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 choose option C (ECDHE_RSA) because it uses ECDHE and GCM, but they overlook that ECDSA with AES-256 and SHA-384 provides stronger security and better performance than RSA-based authentication, especially in modern TLS configurations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ECDHE provides perfect forward secrecy by generating ephemeral Diffie-Hellman keys per session, ensuring that compromise of the server's long-term key does not expose past session keys. ECDSA uses elliptic curve cryptography for digital signatures, offering equivalent security to RSA with much smaller key sizes (e.g., 256-bit ECC ≈ 3072-bit RSA), reducing computational overhead. AES-256-GCM is an AEAD cipher that combines encryption and authentication, preventing tampering without separate MACs, and is recommended by NIST for high-security environments.
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.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Cryptography — This question tests Cryptography — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384 — Option D is correct because TLS_ECDHE_ECDSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384 uses Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral (ECDHE) for perfect forward secrecy, ECDSA for efficient authentication, AES-256 in GCM mode for authenticated encryption, and SHA-384 for integrity. This combination provides the strongest security with modern, optimized algorithms, making it the best choice for performance and security on a TLS web server.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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 →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
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