ISC CISSP-ISSAP Exam Dumps & Practice Test Questions
Question 1:
In your organization, secure communication over the internet is crucial. To ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data while it is being transmitted, the organization needs a method to alter or encode messages, preventing unauthorized access and improving cybersecurity to minimize the risk of hacking attempts.
Which of the following techniques is used to alter messages, safeguard data security, and lower hacking risks during internet communication?
A. Risk assessment
B. OODA decision-making cycle
C. Encryption
D. Network firewall protection
Answer: C
Explanation:
In the context of ensuring secure communication over the internet, the technique that directly addresses the need to alter or encode messages and safeguard data security is encryption. Encryption is a process that converts data or information into a code to prevent unauthorized access during transmission. It ensures that even if a hacker intercepts the communication, the data will be unreadable without the decryption key. This is a critical practice in cybersecurity to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of data, preventing unauthorized access or tampering while it is being transmitted over the internet.
Here’s why the other options are not the best choices for this scenario:
A. Risk assessment: While risk assessment is an important part of cybersecurity, it refers to the process of identifying and evaluating potential security risks, rather than the technique used to secure data during transmission. Risk assessments help in understanding what security measures are needed but do not directly involve encoding or altering messages to protect them.
B. OODA decision-making cycle: The OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) cycle is a decision-making framework, often used in military and competitive environments. While it is useful for dynamic decision-making and responding to changing circumstances, it is not specifically aimed at altering or encoding messages for the purpose of securing data transmission over the internet.
D. Network firewall protection: A network firewall helps to protect an organization’s network from unauthorized access by filtering incoming and outgoing traffic based on security rules. While firewalls play a crucial role in cybersecurity, they do not directly alter or encode messages. Firewalls protect the network from attacks but do not encrypt data during transmission.
In conclusion, C. Encryption is the correct technique for altering messages to safeguard data security and reduce hacking risks during internet communication. Encryption ensures that data remains secure and confidential, making it unreadable to unauthorized individuals, which is essential for maintaining the integrity and security of transmitted information.
Question 2:
John, an Ethical Hacker, is evaluating the security of the website www.we-are-secure.com. During his analysis, John identifies that the network is vulnerable to a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack because the key exchange process doesn't authenticate the participants. The cryptographic algorithm in use lacks a method to verify the identity of the parties exchanging keys, leaving the communication channel open to interception and impersonation.
Which cryptographic algorithm is likely being used, given that it allows unauthenticated key exchange and is vulnerable to a MitM attack?
A. Blowfish
B. Twofish
C. RSA
D. Diffie-Hellman
Answer: D
Explanation:
The Diffie-Hellman key exchange algorithm is likely being used in this scenario, and here's why:
Diffie-Hellman is a widely used cryptographic algorithm for securely exchanging cryptographic keys over a public channel. However, the standard Diffie-Hellman key exchange does not provide any method of authenticating the participants. This creates a vulnerability to Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks.
In a MitM attack, an attacker could intercept the key exchange process and impersonate one or both parties without either participant being aware. Since Diffie-Hellman does not authenticate the participants by default, an attacker could easily insert themselves into the communication, exchange keys with both parties, and then decrypt and manipulate the communication without being detected.
To address this issue, authenticated Diffie-Hellman methods can be used, but the standard form of Diffie-Hellman (without authentication) is vulnerable to such attacks.
Now, let’s examine why the other options are less likely:
A. Blowfish: Blowfish is a symmetric encryption algorithm, not a key exchange algorithm. It is used for encrypting data rather than for securely exchanging keys. While Blowfish is a strong encryption method, it does not handle key exchange, which makes it irrelevant in this specific context.
B. Twofish: Twofish is another symmetric encryption algorithm and, like Blowfish, is used for encrypting data, not for key exchange. It shares the same limitations in this context because it does not have a mechanism for key exchange or authentication.
C. RSA: RSA is a public-key encryption algorithm and can be used for key exchange. However, RSA-based key exchange algorithms (such as RSA key transport) typically include authentication mechanisms to ensure the identities of the participants. While RSA can be vulnerable to other types of attacks, it is not as vulnerable to MitM attacks during the key exchange process as Diffie-Hellman without authentication.
Therefore, the most likely cryptographic algorithm being used in this scenario is D. Diffie-Hellman, due to its known vulnerability to MitM attacks when it is used without proper authentication of the participants.
In conclusion, the Diffie-Hellman key exchange algorithm is known to be vulnerable to Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks when not authenticated, making it the correct answer for this scenario.
Question 3:
You are comparing the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model with the TCP/IP protocol suite. You come across the Host-to-Host layer in the TCP/IP model and need to identify which layer in the OSI model corresponds to it.
Which layer of the OSI model is equivalent to the Host-to-Host layer in the TCP/IP model?
A. The Transport layer
B. The Presentation layer
C. The Session layer
D. The Application layer
Answer: A
Explanation:
In the TCP/IP model, the Host-to-Host layer is responsible for providing end-to-end communication services, ensuring that data is delivered from one host to another across a network. It handles tasks such as error recovery, flow control, and data segmentation. This layer is primarily concerned with the reliable transmission of data between hosts.
In the OSI model, the layer that corresponds to the Host-to-Host layer in the TCP/IP model is the Transport layer. The Transport layer in the OSI model performs functions that are similar to those of the Host-to-Host layer in the TCP/IP model. It ensures the reliable delivery of data between devices, manages error detection, error correction, flow control, and can provide segmentation and reassembly of data packets. This makes the Transport layer the equivalent layer in the OSI model.
Now, let's go through the other options to clarify why they are not correct:
B. The Presentation layer: The Presentation layer in the OSI model is responsible for data translation, encryption, and compression. It ensures that data is in a format that can be understood by the application layer at both the sending and receiving ends. It does not handle end-to-end communication or data transmission reliability, which is the role of the Transport layer.
C. The Session layer: The Session layer in the OSI model is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and terminating communication sessions between two applications. While it manages the communication between processes, it is not directly concerned with the reliable end-to-end delivery of data, which is the responsibility of the Transport layer.
D. The Application layer: The Application layer in the OSI model is responsible for providing network services directly to end-user applications, such as file transfers, email, and web browsing. It is not involved in the transport or reliability of the data itself, which is handled by the Transport layer.
Therefore, the correct answer is A. The Transport layer. The Host-to-Host layer in the TCP/IP model corresponds directly to the Transport layer in the OSI model, as both layers are responsible for ensuring the reliable transmission of data between hosts in a network.
In summary, the Transport layer is responsible for the end-to-end communication of data, ensuring reliability and integrity, making it the layer in the OSI model that corresponds to the Host-to-Host layer in the TCP/IP model.
Question 4:
A company is preparing for business continuity and disaster recovery planning. They need to identify and map the dependencies between critical applications, business operations, and all supporting infrastructure to evaluate the impact of potential disruptions and prioritize recovery efforts.
Which process is used to identify the relationships and dependencies between mission-critical applications, operations, and supporting components to assess their potential impact during an interruption?
A. Path dependency analysis
B. Functional dependency analysis
C. Risk evaluation
D. Business impact assessment
Answer: D
Explanation:
The correct process for identifying and mapping the relationships and dependencies between critical applications, business operations, and supporting infrastructure is Business Impact Assessment (BIA).
A Business Impact Assessment (BIA) is a critical process in business continuity planning (BCP) and disaster recovery (DR) planning. It is designed to assess and prioritize the impact of disruptions on critical business functions and applications. The BIA helps an organization understand the interdependencies between applications, operations, and infrastructure. By identifying the critical business processes and understanding the impact that interruptions could have on these processes, the organization can prioritize recovery efforts and allocate resources more effectively in the event of a disruption.
A BIA typically involves:
Identifying critical business processes and applications.
Mapping out the dependencies between these processes and their supporting infrastructure.
Evaluating the potential impact of disruptions to these processes, including financial, operational, legal, and reputational impacts.
Determining acceptable downtime and recovery time objectives (RTOs) for critical systems.
Let's examine why the other options are not the correct answer:
A. Path dependency analysis: Path dependency analysis is not a common term in the context of business continuity or disaster recovery. It might refer to analyzing decision-making paths in some contexts but does not specifically address identifying relationships and dependencies for business operations.
B. Functional dependency analysis: Functional dependency analysis is a term more commonly associated with database design, where it is used to understand the relationships between different data elements (attributes) in a database schema. While this is important in database management, it does not focus on the broader business operations and infrastructure dependencies necessary for business continuity planning.
C. Risk evaluation: While risk evaluation is an important component of business continuity and disaster recovery planning, it is a broader process that involves identifying potential risks and assessing their likelihood and impact. Risk evaluation alone doesn't specifically address the detailed mapping of dependencies and the impact of disruptions on business functions, which is the primary goal of a Business Impact Assessment (BIA).
In conclusion, D. Business impact assessment is the process used to identify and assess the relationships and dependencies between mission-critical applications, business operations, and supporting components. This allows an organization to understand the potential impact of disruptions and helps prioritize recovery efforts in the event of a disaster.
Question 5:
A company is conducting a market study to understand the extent of the total market demand that is currently being met. The company aims to measure the gap between the market's potential capacity and the actual consumption by all consumers. This analysis helps identify potential growth opportunities.
What type of gap specifically refers to the difference between the total market capacity and current market usage?
A. Project gap
B. Product gap
C. Competitive gap
D. Demand gap
Answer: D
Explanation:
A demand gap specifically refers to the difference between the total market capacity and the current market usage. It represents the untapped market potential, indicating that there is an opportunity for growth or expansion in the market. If a company is analyzing this gap, they are trying to understand how much of the total potential market is actually being utilized by consumers, and how much of the potential demand remains unmet. This analysis helps the company identify areas where they could increase market penetration or product offerings to capitalize on the unused demand.
Now let’s examine the other options to see why they are not correct:
A. Project gap: A project gap refers to the difference between the goals of a project and its actual performance or progress. It is often used in project management to evaluate the discrepancy between planned and actual outcomes. It does not apply to the concept of market demand or capacity.
B. Product gap: A product gap typically refers to the difference between a customer’s expectations and the product offerings available in the market. It can also indicate unmet needs in the market for a specific product or feature. While related to gaps in the market, it focuses more on product offerings and customer needs, rather than the difference between market capacity and usage.
C. Competitive gap: A competitive gap refers to the difference in market position, features, or performance between a company and its competitors. This gap helps identify where a company may be lagging behind or outpacing its competitors in terms of product offerings, services, or overall market share. However, it does not directly address the overall demand and capacity relationship.
In conclusion, the demand gap is the correct term for the difference between the total market capacity and the actual consumption by consumers. Identifying this gap helps businesses understand where growth opportunities lie by evaluating the market's potential that has yet to be realized.
Question 6:
As the Network Administrator at a college, you have noticed that frequent movement of individuals, including non-students, in and out of computer-equipped areas (such as libraries and labs) is leading to an increase in laptop thefts. The college is seeking a cost-effective solution to reduce or prevent thefts while maintaining access for students and staff.
What is the most cost-effective security measure to reduce laptop theft in high-traffic areas like computer labs and libraries?
A. Implement card-based access control at all computer lab entrances
B. Provide physical locks for securing laptops
C. Install video surveillance cameras in all computer-equipped areas
D. Hire a security guard to monitor the facilities at all times
Answer: B
Explanation:
The most cost-effective solution to reduce laptop thefts in high-traffic areas, like computer labs and libraries, is to provide physical locks for securing laptops.
Physical locks, such as Kensington locks, are affordable and simple to implement. These locks allow laptops to be secured to desks or other immovable objects, making it much harder for thieves to steal them. This solution directly addresses the risk of theft in a straightforward and economical manner, as it prevents opportunistic thefts by individuals who might grab an unattended laptop and run. It also allows students and staff to use laptops freely without significantly restricting access to the computer-equipped areas.
Now, let's analyze the other options:
A. Implement card-based access control at all computer lab entrances: While card-based access control can enhance security by restricting access to authorized individuals, it does not specifically address the issue of laptop theft. It primarily controls who can enter the building or room, not the security of the equipment inside. Additionally, this solution could be more expensive to implement than physical locks, especially if card readers and infrastructure need to be set up across multiple entrances.
C. Install video surveillance cameras in all computer-equipped areas: Video surveillance can help deter theft and provide evidence if a theft occurs. However, surveillance alone is passive and may not prevent thefts in real-time. Also, it comes with ongoing costs for installation, maintenance, and monitoring. While useful, it is generally not as cost-effective as providing locks that actively prevent theft.
D. Hire a security guard to monitor the facilities at all times: Hiring a security guard is a more labor-intensive and costly solution. The cost of employing a security guard (including wages, benefits, and training) would be much higher than simply providing physical locks for laptops. Moreover, even with a security guard, it would be difficult to monitor every laptop at all times, especially if there are multiple labs or libraries.
In conclusion, providing physical locks is the most cost-effective solution for securing laptops in high-traffic areas. This simple and inexpensive measure directly addresses the issue of laptop theft, giving students and staff the freedom to use the facilities without worrying about leaving their laptops unattended and vulnerable to theft.
Question 7:
To protect a network, firewalls often filter traffic between internal and external networks. One key method firewalls use is to examine individual data packets and either permit or block them based on predefined rules, such as IP address, port number, or protocol.
What is the term used to describe the method by which a firewall controls traffic flow by evaluating data packets based on set criteria?
A. Packet inspection
B. Packet filtering
C. Web content caching
D. Packet spoofing
Answer: B
Explanation:
The correct term for the method by which a firewall controls traffic flow by examining individual data packets based on predefined criteria, such as IP address, port number, or protocol, is packet filtering.
Packet filtering is one of the fundamental methods used by firewalls to control the flow of network traffic. It works by examining the header of each data packet (not the content of the packet) and then comparing it against a set of rules defined by the network administrator. These rules might specify which IP addresses, ports, or protocols are allowed or blocked. If a packet meets the conditions of a rule (for example, if it comes from a certain IP address or uses a specific port), the firewall either allows it to pass through or blocks it.
Now, let’s break down why the other options are not correct:
A. Packet inspection: Packet inspection is a more general term that can refer to any type of analysis of data packets, including filtering or deep inspection. However, packet filtering specifically refers to examining the packet header and allowing or denying the packet based on predefined rules. The term "packet inspection" could include a broader range of activities, including deeper analysis beyond filtering, such as inspecting the content of the packet.
C. Web content caching: Web content caching refers to the process of storing web pages and resources temporarily (such as images, scripts, or entire web pages) to improve performance and reduce server load. This is unrelated to the function of firewalls, which are designed to control network traffic and not to store or cache web content.
D. Packet spoofing: Packet spoofing refers to the act of forging the source IP address in a data packet to make it appear as though it is coming from a trusted source. This is an attack method rather than a legitimate network security practice. Firewalls can be used to block spoofed packets, but packet spoofing itself is not a method used by firewalls to control traffic flow.
In conclusion, packet filtering is the correct term for the method by which firewalls evaluate data packets based on predefined rules and either permit or block them. This process is essential for controlling the flow of network traffic and protecting the network from unauthorized access or malicious activity.
Question 8:
When accessing remote systems across a network, particularly the internet, it's crucial to ensure secure communication and verify the identity of the remote machine. One way to achieve this is by utilizing public-key cryptography, which uses a pair of keys (public and private) to encrypt data and authenticate identities.
Which protocol uses public-key cryptography to authenticate the identity of a remote computer during a connection?
A. SSH (Secure Shell)
B. Telnet
C. SCP (Secure Copy Protocol)
D. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
Answer: A
Explanation:
SSH (Secure Shell) is a network protocol that provides a secure method for remote system administration and file transfers over an insecure network. One of the key features of SSH is its use of public-key cryptography to authenticate the identity of the remote machine. In this process, SSH relies on a pair of cryptographic keys — one public and one private. The public key is shared with remote systems, while the private key remains securely stored on the client. When the client connects to a remote server, the server authenticates the client by verifying the client's public key, ensuring that the client is indeed the legitimate one.
SSH also ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the communication by encrypting data, making it highly secure for activities such as remote shell access, secure file transfer, and port forwarding.
Now, let's analyze the other options to see why they are not the correct answer:
B. Telnet: Telnet is an older, unencrypted protocol used to access remote systems. It does not use public-key cryptography or any encryption mechanism to secure the communication or authenticate the remote system. As a result, Telnet is vulnerable to eavesdropping, making it insecure for remote connections over the internet.
C. SCP (Secure Copy Protocol): SCP is a protocol used for securely transferring files between computers over a network. While it operates over SSH and thus benefits from SSH's public-key cryptography, SCP itself is not responsible for the authentication of the remote machine. Rather, it relies on SSH for the secure, encrypted transfer and authentication processes.
D. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): SSL (or its successor, TLS) is a cryptographic protocol used primarily to secure communication over the internet, such as in web browsing (HTTPS). SSL/TLS also uses public-key cryptography, but it is used to establish secure connections between clients and servers rather than to authenticate a remote computer directly, like SSH does. While SSL/TLS helps authenticate the server's identity during a secure web connection, it does not authenticate the identity of the remote machine in the same way SSH does.
In conclusion, SSH (Secure Shell) is the correct protocol that uses public-key cryptography to authenticate the identity of a remote computer during a connection. SSH is widely used for secure remote access and file transfer, and it ensures both confidentiality and integrity of the data being transmitted.
Question 9:
When securing IP packets transmitted over a network, certain protocols ensure data integrity and verify the authenticity of the sender, without the need for an active connection. This is especially important in IPsec environments where different protocols fulfill specific security roles.
Which protocol provides connectionless integrity and ensures the authenticity of the data sender for IP packets?
A. ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload)
B. AH (Authentication Header)
C. IKE (Internet Key Exchange)
D. ISAKMP (Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol)
Answer: B
Explanation:
AH (Authentication Header) is a protocol used in IPsec to provide connectionless integrity and authentication of the data packet's sender. It ensures that the data in an IP packet has not been altered during transit and verifies the authenticity of the sender, without requiring an active connection or the need for encryption. AH does this by adding a header to the IP packet that includes a hash value (created using a cryptographic algorithm) to verify that the data has not been tampered with. However, AH does not provide encryption of the payload (unlike ESP), so it only focuses on integrity and authenticity, not confidentiality.
Now, let’s review the other options to see why they are not correct:
A. ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload): ESP is another protocol used in IPsec environments, but it provides both confidentiality (encryption) and data integrity. While ESP does offer data integrity and authenticity (like AH), it also adds encryption for the payload. However, the focus of the question is specifically on connectionless integrity and authentication, which are the primary roles of AH, not ESP.
C. IKE (Internet Key Exchange): IKE is a protocol used to establish and manage security associations (SAs) in IPsec, including the negotiation of encryption keys and authentication parameters. While IKE plays a critical role in securing communication by setting up secure channels, it does not itself provide connectionless integrity or authenticate the sender of data packets. It is used primarily for the key exchange process rather than for protecting the data itself.
D. ISAKMP (Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol): ISAKMP is a protocol used to establish, negotiate, modify, and delete security associations (SAs) in IPsec. It works with IKE as part of the key exchange process but does not provide connectionless integrity or sender authentication for IP packets. ISAKMP is focused on the management of security protocols and does not directly secure the data packets.
In conclusion, AH (Authentication Header) is the correct protocol for providing connectionless integrity and verifying the authenticity of the data sender in IPsec environments. It focuses specifically on ensuring that the data has not been tampered with and that the sender can be trusted, without the need for an active connection or encryption of the packet's payload.
Question 10:
In environments where employees input passwords or handle sensitive data in public or visible settings, attackers may attempt to gather information by secretly observing their actions without being detected.
Which type of attack involves secretly watching an employee's screen or keyboard to gather sensitive information such as passwords or confidential data?
A. Buffer overflow attack
B. Man-in-the-middle attack
C. Shoulder surfing attack
D. Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack
Answer: C
Explanation:
Shoulder surfing is a type of physical security attack where an attacker observes a person’s screen, keyboard, or other sensitive activities in public or semi-public places to collect confidential information. This could include passwords, credit card numbers, PINs, or other private data. The attacker typically stands or sits close enough to the target to discreetly view what is being entered or displayed on the screen. This type of attack is particularly common in environments like coffee shops, airports, or open office spaces, where employees might be working on their laptops or mobile devices in public settings.
Now, let's examine why the other options are incorrect:
A. Buffer overflow attack: A buffer overflow attack occurs when an attacker sends more data to a program than it can handle, causing the program to overwrite adjacent memory. This can lead to crashes, data corruption, or potentially allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code. However, this attack is a software vulnerability and does not involve physical observation or monitoring the actions of a user.
B. Man-in-the-middle attack: A man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack occurs when an attacker secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two parties (e.g., between a user and a website or between two systems) without their knowledge. While MitM attacks can compromise data confidentiality, they are network-based and do not involve observing an individual directly in a public setting, as is the case with shoulder surfing.
D. Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack: A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack aims to disrupt the availability of a system or network by overwhelming it with traffic, making it inaccessible to legitimate users. This type of attack does not involve physical observation or gathering of sensitive information in public settings. It is a network-based attack focused on availability, not on confidential information gathering.
In conclusion, shoulder surfing is the correct answer because it specifically involves physically observing a person in a public or visible setting to gather sensitive data like passwords, credit card details, or other confidential information. This makes it a direct and physical form of data theft, unlike the other attacks, which are more focused on software vulnerabilities or network-based exploits.
