Quick Answer
The answer is to use bcrypt with a unique salt per password. Bcrypt is the correct choice for secure password storage because it is a computationally slow, adaptive hashing algorithm specifically designed to resist brute-force and rainbow table attacks; the unique salt ensures that even identical passwords produce different hashes, preventing precomputation attacks. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this concept tests your understanding of cryptographic storage controls and common pitfalls—the trap is confusing hashing with encryption or choosing a fast hash like MD5, which is weak and reversible at scale. Remember that password storage requires a one-way, salted, and slow function, not a reversible cipher or simple access controls. Memory tip: think “bcrypt = slow + salt” to block brute force and rainbow tables.
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of systems and application security. 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.
During a code review, you discover that an application stores passwords in plaintext. What is the most secure remediation?
Hash passwords with MD5
Why wrong: MD5 is fast and vulnerable to rainbow tables.
Use bcrypt with a unique salt per password
Bcrypt is slow and salted, making brute force impractical.
Use AES encryption of passwords
Why wrong: Encryption is reversible; key compromise exposes passwords.
Store passwords in a database with restricted access
Why wrong: Access control does not protect against data breach.
Answer choices
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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Systems and Application Security — This question tests Systems and Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 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.
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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