- A
Store the password as a plain text variable in the playbook and use the no_log: yes directive to prevent logging.
Why wrong: no_log prevents printing but the password remains in plain text in the playbook.
- B
Use the ansible-vault encrypt_string command to encrypt the password and store it in a variables file.
Encrypts the password at rest; decrypted at runtime with vault password.
- C
Store the password in an unprotected external file and reference it with include_vars.
Why wrong: External file without encryption is not secure.
- D
Save the password in an environment variable and access it via lookup('env','DB_PASS').
Why wrong: Environment variables may be exposed in process listings and logs.
Question 473 of 528
EX294 Manage automation security and operations Practice Question
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of manage automation security and operations. 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.
A systems administrator needs to securely store a database password for use in an Ansible playbook. The password should be encrypted at rest and decrypted only at runtime when the playbook is executed. Which approach should the administrator take?
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
✓
Use the ansible-vault encrypt_string command to encrypt the password and store it in a variables file.
Option B is correct because `ansible-vault encrypt_string` encrypts the password at rest using AES-256, storing it as a ciphertext string in a variables file. At runtime, when the playbook is executed with `--ask-vault-pass` or a vault password file, Ansible decrypts the value transparently, ensuring the plaintext password is never written to disk or logs.
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.
- ✗
Store the password as a plain text variable in the playbook and use the no_log: yes directive to prevent logging.
Why it's wrong here
no_log prevents printing but the password remains in plain text in the playbook.
- ✓
Use the ansible-vault encrypt_string command to encrypt the password and store it in a variables file.
Why this is correct
Encrypts the password at rest; decrypted at runtime with vault password.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Store the password in an unprotected external file and reference it with include_vars.
Why it's wrong here
External file without encryption is not secure.
- ✗
Save the password in an environment variable and access it via lookup('env','DB_PASS').
Why it's wrong here
Environment variables may be exposed in process listings and logs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse runtime log suppression (`no_log`) with encryption at rest, or assume environment variables are secure because they are not stored in a file, overlooking that they remain unencrypted in process memory.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
`ansible-vault encrypt_string` uses the same AES-256-CBC encryption as `ansible-vault encrypt` for files, but outputs a single encrypted string that can be embedded directly in YAML variables. The decryption key is derived from the vault password via PBKDF2 with a random salt, and the encrypted string includes a hex-encoded header with the salt and HMAC-SHA256 for integrity verification. In a real-world CI/CD pipeline, the vault password is often stored in a secrets manager (e.g., HashiCorp Vault) and passed via `--vault-password-file` to avoid interactive prompts.
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 practitioner preparing for the EX294 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX294 question test?
Manage automation security and operations — This question tests Manage automation security and operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the ansible-vault encrypt_string command to encrypt the password and store it in a variables file. — Option B is correct because `ansible-vault encrypt_string` encrypts the password at rest using AES-256, storing it as a ciphertext string in a variables file. At runtime, when the playbook is executed with `--ask-vault-pass` or a vault password file, Ansible decrypts the value transparently, ensuring the plaintext password is never written to disk or logs.
What should I do if I get this EX294 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 →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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