VCP-DCV vSphere Security Practice Question
A healthcare provider's vSphere 8 environment must encrypt all VM files at rest. The security team requires that encryption keys be stored on a hardware security module (HSM) and that the vCenter Server never hold the keys in its database. An administrator configures a Key Provider and enables VM encryption. Which component is responsible for storing the encryption keys?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that vCenter Server stores encryption keys because it manages the encryption process, when in fact keys are held externally by the KMS.
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
✓
The Key Management Server (KMS) configured as a standard key provider.
VM encryption requires a key provider to store keys externally. A standard key provider, typically a KMS with an HSM, holds the keys outside vCenter and ESXi. vCenter brokers key requests but does not store keys. The ESXi ramdisk is volatile, and Trust Authority handles attestation, not key storage. Thus, the KMS is the correct component.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The vCenter Server's VMware Postgres database.
Why it's wrong here
The vCenter Server database stores configuration and metadata, but encryption keys for VM encryption are not stored there. Storing keys in the vCenter database would violate the requirement that keys reside on an HSM. vCenter acts as a broker to the KMS, not as a key store.
- ✓
The Key Management Server (KMS) configured as a standard key provider.
Why this is correct
A standard key provider, such as a KMS, stores encryption keys externally on an HSM or key server, not in the vCenter Server database. When VM encryption is enabled, ESXi hosts request keys from the KMS via the vCenter Server, but the keys are never persisted in vCenter. This meets the requirement that keys reside on an HSM.
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The ESXi host's ramdisk, which persists across reboots.
Why it's wrong here
The ESXi ramdisk is volatile and does not persist across reboots. Encryption keys are not stored on the ESXi host; they are requested from the KMS when needed. The ramdisk holds configuration state but is not a key store for VM encryption.
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A vSphere Trust Authority attestation service running on the ESXi host.
Why it's wrong here
vSphere Trust Authority provides attestation of ESXi hosts, ensuring they are trusted before receiving keys, but it does not store encryption keys. The attestation service verifies host integrity, while the KMS stores the keys. Trust Authority is not a key provider.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official VMware exam blueprint
This VCP-DCV practice question is part of Courseiva's free VMware 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 VCP-DCV exam.