hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: During a code review, you discover that an…
During a code review, you discover that an application stores passwords in plaintext. What is the most secure remediation?
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 bcrypt with a unique salt per password
Bcrypt with a unique salt is designed for password storage; it is slow and resistant to brute force. MD5 is fast and weak. AES encryption is reversible if the key is compromised. Database access control does not protect if the database is breached.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hash passwords with MD5
Why it's wrong here
MD5 is fast and vulnerable to rainbow tables.
- ✓
Use bcrypt with a unique salt per password
Why this is correct
Bcrypt is slow and salted, making brute force impractical.
- ✗
Use AES encryption of passwords
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is reversible; key compromise exposes passwords.
- ✗
Store passwords in a database with restricted access
Why it's wrong here
Access control does not protect against data breach.
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 |
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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.