- A
AES
AES is the correct answer.
- B
RSA
Why wrong: RSA is an asymmetric algorithm.
- C
3DES
Why wrong: 3DES is legacy and not recommended.
- D
ChaCha20
Why wrong: ChaCha20 is a stream cipher, not a block cipher.
Question 557 of 1,000
SSCP Cryptography Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of cryptography. 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.
Which of the following encryption algorithms is classified as a symmetric block cipher and is the current standard recommended by NIST, supporting key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits?
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
✓
AES
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric block cipher that encrypts data in fixed 128-bit blocks and is the current standard recommended by NIST (FIPS 197). It supports key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits, making it the correct answer for a symmetric block cipher with those specific key lengths.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
AES
Why this is correct
AES is the correct answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
RSA
Why it's wrong here
RSA is an asymmetric algorithm.
- ✗
3DES
Why it's wrong here
3DES is legacy and not recommended.
- ✗
ChaCha20
Why it's wrong here
ChaCha20 is a stream cipher, not a block cipher.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse symmetric vs. asymmetric algorithms or mistake 3DES for a modern standard, but NIST specifically deprecated 3DES in 2018 (NIST SP 800-131A Rev. 2) and recommends AES for all new applications.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AES operates on a 4x4 column-major order matrix of bytes (the state) and uses a variable number of rounds (10, 12, or 14) depending on key size (128, 192, or 256 bits). Each round involves SubBytes (nonlinear substitution using an S-box), ShiftRows (transposition), MixColumns (mixing), and AddRoundKey (XOR with round key). In real-world scenarios, AES is used in modes like GCM (Galois/Counter Mode) for authenticated encryption, which is critical for secure communications in TLS 1.3.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
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 |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Cryptography — This question tests Cryptography — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AES — AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric block cipher that encrypts data in fixed 128-bit blocks and is the current standard recommended by NIST (FIPS 197). It supports key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits, making it the correct answer for a symmetric block cipher with those specific key lengths.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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