The answer is the Attestation Service, Key Cache services, and a Trust Authority cluster with at least one trusted ESXi host. These three components are required because vSphere Trust Authority (vTA) establishes a hardware-rooted chain of trust, where the Attestation Service verifies host integrity, the Key Cache securely stores and distributes keys, and the Trust Authority cluster itself provides the isolated management domain for these services. On the VCP-DCV exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish vTA from vSphere Trusted Infrastructure (vTPM), which requires a Key Provider—a common trap. Remember that NSX is never needed for vTA. A helpful memory tip: think “TAK” for Trust Authority, Attestation, and Key Cache—the three pillars that lock down your trusted hosts.
VCP-DCV vSphere Security Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere security. 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 THREE of the following are required components for setting up a vSphere Trust Authority (vTA) cluster?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A dedicated Trust Authority cluster with at least one host.
Options A, C, and D are correct. vTA requires at least one trusted ESXi host, a Trust Authority cluster, and an attestation service. Option B is incorrect because a Key Provider is part of vSphere Trusted Infrastructure (vTPM) but not vTA. Option E is incorrect because NSX is not required for vTA.
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.
✗
A Key Provider, such as VMware Key Provider or an external KMS.
Why it's wrong here
Key providers are for encryption, not vTA attestation.
✓
A dedicated Trust Authority cluster with at least one host.
Why this is correct
The Trust Authority cluster hosts the attestation service.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
NSX-T Data Center deployed for network segmentation.
Why it's wrong here
NSX is not a requirement for vTA.
✓
A physical Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on each trusted host.
Why this is correct
TPM is required for hardware root of trust attestation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
The Attestation Service and Key Cache services installed on the Trust Authority cluster.
Why this is correct
These services are required for vTA functionality.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 VCP-DCV 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
vSphere Security — This question tests vSphere Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A dedicated Trust Authority cluster with at least one host. — Options A, C, and D are correct. vTA requires at least one trusted ESXi host, a Trust Authority cluster, and an attestation service. Option B is incorrect because a Key Provider is part of vSphere Trusted Infrastructure (vTPM) but not vTA. Option E is incorrect because NSX is not required for vTA.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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