Match each cryptography term to its definition.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Same key for encryption and decryption
Key pair: public and private
One-way function producing fixed output
Ensures authenticity and non-repudiation
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Symmetric Encryption: Uses the same key for encryption and decryption
Correct matches: Symmetric encryption uses one key; asymmetric uses a key pair; hashing produces fixed-size digests; digital signatures ensure non-repudiation. Common confusions include swapping symmetric/asymmetric definitions or treating hashing as encryption.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Symmetric Encryption: Uses the same key for encryption and decryption
Why this is correct
Symmetric encryption relies on a single shared key for both encryption and decryption, making it fast but requiring secure key exchange.
Asymmetric Encryption: Uses a pair of keys (public and private)
Why this is correct
Asymmetric encryption uses two mathematically related keys: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption.
Hashing: Produces a fixed-size output from variable-length input
Why this is correct
A hash function takes any size input and produces a fixed-size hash value, with properties like preimage resistance and collision resistance.
Digital Signature: Provides non-repudiation and verifies authenticity
Why this is correct
Digital signatures use asymmetric cryptography to sign data with a private key, allowing anyone with the public key to verify the signer's identity and data integrity.
Symmetric Encryption: Uses a pair of keys (public and private)
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — this describes asymmetric encryption, not symmetric encryption. Symmetric encryption uses a single shared key.
Hashing: Used to encrypt data for confidentiality
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — hashing is a one-way function that does not provide encryption; it is used for integrity verification, not confidentiality.
Quick reference
| 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 |
Go deeper
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every SSCP question from scratch — 920 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.