- A
SHA-1
Why wrong: SHA-1 is deprecated due to collision attacks.
- B
RC4
Why wrong: RC4 is a stream cipher, not a hash algorithm.
- C
MD5
Why wrong: MD5 is broken and vulnerable to collision attacks; it should not be used.
- D
SHA-256
SHA-256 is a current standard and is considered secure.
Question 685 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 is a secure hash algorithm currently recommended by NIST?
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
✓
SHA-256
SHA-256 is a member of the SHA-2 family of secure hash algorithms and is currently recommended by NIST for cryptographic use. It produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value and is widely deployed in protocols such as TLS, SSH, and IPsec, as well as in digital signatures and certificate validation.
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.
- ✗
SHA-1
Why it's wrong here
SHA-1 is deprecated due to collision attacks.
- ✗
RC4
Why it's wrong here
RC4 is a stream cipher, not a hash algorithm.
- ✗
MD5
Why it's wrong here
MD5 is broken and vulnerable to collision attacks; it should not be used.
- ✓
SHA-256
Why this is correct
SHA-256 is a current standard and is considered secure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between hash algorithms and encryption ciphers, so candidates may mistakenly select RC4 because it is a well-known cryptographic algorithm, but it is not a hash function at all.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SHA-256 operates on 512-bit message blocks using a compression function with 64 rounds of processing, employing bitwise operations, modular addition, and logical functions to achieve avalanche effect. NIST formally standardized SHA-2 in FIPS PUB 180-4, and while SHA-3 (Keccak) is also approved, SHA-256 remains the most commonly deployed hash in enterprise environments, such as for integrity verification of firmware updates and in certificate transparency logs.
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
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: SHA-256 — SHA-256 is a member of the SHA-2 family of secure hash algorithms and is currently recommended by NIST for cryptographic use. It produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value and is widely deployed in protocols such as TLS, SSH, and IPsec, as well as in digital signatures and certificate validation.
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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