SSCP Cryptography Practice Question
Which of the following best describes the difference between HMAC and a simple hash function like SHA-256 when used for message authentication?
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
✓
HMAC provides integrity and authentication; SHA-256 provides only integrity
HMAC incorporates a secret key into the hash process, providing authentication that a simple hash cannot.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
HMAC is faster than SHA-256
Why it's wrong here
HMAC is not necessarily faster.
- ✗
SHA-256 produces a larger digest than HMAC
Why it's wrong here
Both can produce same size.
- ✓
HMAC provides integrity and authentication; SHA-256 provides only integrity
Why this is correct
Correct: HMAC uses a key for authentication.
- ✗
HMAC is used for encryption, not hashing
Why it's wrong here
HMAC is for authentication, not encryption.
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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.