easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: A security professional is implementing a…
A security professional is implementing a solution to verify the authenticity of a digital certificate. Which component of a PKI is responsible for issuing and revoking certificates?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the OCSP responder or CRL as the entity that performs revocation, when in fact they are merely mechanisms to check or distribute revocation status, while only the CA has the authority to issue or revoke a certificate.
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
✓
Certificate Authority (CA)
The Certificate Authority (CA) is the core component of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) responsible for issuing digital certificates and, crucially, for revoking them when they are no longer trusted. While other components support certificate status checking or verification, only the CA has the authority to sign and publish certificates or revocation information.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) responder
Why it's wrong here
OCSP checks revocation status but does not issue certificates.
- ✓
Certificate Authority (CA)
Why this is correct
The CA issues and revokes digital certificates.
- ✗
Certificate Revocation List (CRL)
Why it's wrong here
A CRL is a list, not an issuer.
- ✗
Registration Authority (RA)
Why it's wrong here
The RA verifies identity but does not issue certificates.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.