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SSCP Practice Question: A software developer wants to ensure the…
A software developer wants to ensure the authenticity and integrity of an API request but does not require non-repudiation. Which cryptographic method should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between authentication/integrity (HMAC) and non-repudiation (digital signatures), leading candidates to incorrectly choose digital signatures when non-repudiation is explicitly not required.
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
✓
Hash-based message authentication code (HMAC)
HMAC uses a shared secret key combined with a cryptographic hash function to produce a fixed-size authentication tag. This ensures both authenticity (the request came from a party knowing the key) and integrity (the data has not been altered) without providing non-repudiation, because the same key is shared between sender and receiver, so the receiver could also have generated the tag.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Digital signature using RSA
Why it's wrong here
Digital signatures provide non-repudiation, which is not needed.
- ✗
Symmetric encryption with CBC mode
Why it's wrong here
Encryption provides confidentiality, not authenticity.
- ✓
Hash-based message authentication code (HMAC)
Why this is correct
HMAC verifies authenticity and integrity without non-repudiation.
- ✗
Elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH)
Why it's wrong here
ECDH is key exchange, not authentication.
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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.