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SSCP Practice Question: Which THREE of the following are considered…
Which THREE of the following are considered cryptographic best practices for key management? (Select exactly 3.)
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that convenience (like storing keys with data) is acceptable, when in fact it violates the core security principle of key separation and confidentiality.
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
✓
Separate keys used for encryption and digital signatures
Using separate keys for encryption and digital signatures ensures that compromising one key does not affect the other. This separation aligns with the principle of key usage restrictions, as defined in NIST SP 800-57, which mandates distinct keys for different cryptographic operations to prevent misuse and maintain non-repudiation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Separate keys used for encryption and digital signatures
Why this is correct
Using the same key for both purposes weakens security.
- ✓
Rotate keys periodically
Why this is correct
Limits exposure if a key is compromised.
- ✓
Use hardware security modules (HSMs) for key storage
Why this is correct
HSMs provide tamper-resistant storage.
- ✗
Publish symmetric keys on the company website for transparency
Why it's wrong here
Symmetric keys must be kept secret.
- ✗
Store keys with the encrypted data for convenience
Why it's wrong here
Keys must be stored separately from data.
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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.