Managing Cloud Security (D320)

Correct Answer

D) Avoidance

Explanation

Avoidance is a risk management strategy where an organization changes its business practices to completely eliminate the potential for a particular risk. This could involve discontinuing a high-risk activity, adopting new processes, or even restructuring operations to prevent the occurrence of the risk. The goal is to entirely eliminate the risk before it can impact the organization.

Why other options are wrong

A) Acceptance In risk acceptance, an organization acknowledges the risk and decides to continue with its operations without taking action to eliminate it. The risk is recognized, but no steps are taken to avoid or mitigate it.

B) Transference Risk transference involves shifting the responsibility for managing a risk to a third party, typically through insurance or outsourcing. The risk is not eliminated but managed by another party.

C) Mitigation Mitigation focuses on reducing the severity or impact of a risk rather than eliminating it entirely. It involves taking actions to lessen the likelihood of the risk occurring or reducing its impact if it does occur.

Correct Answer

D. Cryptographic failures

Explanation

Cryptographic failures (formerly known as "Insufficient Cryptography") refer to weaknesses in cryptographic systems, including the use of weak encryption algorithms or outdated protocols. OWASP lists this as a critical category because improper use of cryptography can leave sensitive data vulnerable to attacks like interception or decryption.

Why other options are wrong

A. Insecure design

Insecure design refers to flaws in the overall design of an application or system that result in vulnerabilities. While it may lead to weak cryptography being used, the issue of weak algorithms is specifically categorized under cryptographic failures, not insecure design.

B. Hashing

Hashing is a cryptographic function, but this answer focuses narrowly on the hashing aspect. Cryptographic failures as a category encompasses a broader range of cryptographic issues beyond just hashing.

C. Sandboxing

Sandboxing is a security technique used to isolate applications or processes to prevent harmful effects on the system. It does not pertain to cryptographic weaknesses or protocols.

Correct Answer

C. Broken access control

Explanation

Insecure direct object references (IDORs) are a type of broken access control vulnerability. They occur when an attacker can manipulate input to access data belonging to another user. OWASP identifies broken access control as a major category where such vulnerabilities can exist, especially when user authorization is not properly enforced, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive information.

Why other options are wrong

A. Vulnerable and outdated components

This category relates to the risks associated with using outdated software, libraries, or components that may have known vulnerabilities. It does not focus on access control or direct object identifiers.

B. Identification and authentication failures

This vulnerability category deals with issues where authentication and identity management are weak, such as broken login mechanisms or failure to properly verify users. It does not focus on access control or data exposure.

D. Security logging failures

Security logging failures involve not properly logging security-related events for monitoring and auditing purposes. This is not related to access control or data exposure from manipulating object identifiers.

Correct Answer

A. Customers

Explanation

When a cloud service is interrupted, the provider must notify customers about the expected downtime as part of the service-level agreement (SLA). This ensures that customers are aware of the disruption and can take necessary actions or plan accordingly. Cloud providers typically have contractual obligations to communicate these details to their customers.

Why other options are wrong

B. Regulators

Regulators are typically notified when a breach or significant event affects compliance or security. While they may need to be informed in specific circumstances, the initial communication about service downtime is typically directed toward customers.

C. Executives

Executives may need to be informed of the situation, but the primary recipients of information about downtime are the customers who rely on the cloud services. Executives may later communicate this to stakeholders, but customers should be contacted first.

D. Employees

Employees are internal stakeholders and may be informed of the service interruption, especially if it affects internal operations. However, customers are the primary group that needs to be notified about service downtime as per contractual agreements.

Correct Answer

D) Waterfall

Explanation

Waterfall is a traditional software development methodology where each phase must be completed before the next phase begins. It follows a linear, step-by-step approach with no overlap, which is in contrast to more iterative methodologies like Agile or Scrum.

Why other options are wrong

A) Scrum

Scrum is an Agile methodology that focuses on iterative development with short cycles called sprints, which allow for overlap between phases and flexibility in development. It is not a sequential process like Waterfall.

B) Lean

Lean focuses on reducing waste and improving efficiency in the development process. It is not a strictly sequential methodology but instead emphasizes continuous improvement and adaptation.

C) Agile

Agile is an iterative and flexible development methodology that allows for frequent changes and overlapping phases. It encourages collaboration and iterative feedback rather than a strict sequential order like Waterfall.

Correct Answer

B) Zero trust

Explanation

The zero trust model is designed to continuously verify users and devices, regardless of their location, before granting access to systems and data. In this model, access is never automatically trusted, and authentication and authorization checks are required for every interaction with the data or system. This approach ensures that only properly validated users are allowed access.

Why other options are wrong

A) Security groups

Security groups are used to control inbound and outbound traffic to and from resources in a network, typically based on IP addresses or ports. While they provide network-level access controls, they do not directly verify user identities or access.

C) Bastion hosts

Bastion hosts are used as a secure access point for administrators to connect to isolated networks. They provide controlled access to resources, but they don't focus on continuous user validation or access management across all resources.

D) Traffic inspection

Traffic inspection involves analyzing data packets for malicious content or policy violations but does not focus on validating user identities or access before allowing interaction with data.

Correct Answer

C. Multi-cloud

Explanation

Multi-cloud refers to the use of multiple cloud computing services from different providers, allowing customers to take advantage of price variations and specialized services. This model enables businesses to avoid vendor lock-in and optimize their cloud strategy by choosing the best provider for each service or workload.

Why other options are wrong

A. Public cloud A public cloud is a single-cloud model where resources are owned and operated by a third-party provider and shared among multiple customers. While it can provide cost-effective solutions, it does not allow the flexibility of using multiple cloud vendors.

B. Hybrid cloud Hybrid cloud combines private and public clouds to allow data and applications to be shared between them. While it offers flexibility, it does not inherently involve using multiple cloud providers for service or pricing differences.

D. Private cloud A private cloud is a cloud environment used exclusively by one organization. It does not involve the use of multiple cloud vendors, so it does not enable customers to take advantage of service and price differences from various providers.

Correct Answer

A. Black box

Explanation

Black box testing involves testing an application from the perspective of an external user with no knowledge of the internal workings of the system. In this case, the consultant is attempting to access the application as an external hacker would, without any insight into the application’s source code or architecture, which makes it a black box testing technique.

Why other options are wrong

B. White box

White box testing, also known as clear-box testing, involves testing with full knowledge of the internal workings of the application, including its code, architecture, and configuration. This is the opposite of the approach described in the question, where the consultant has no internal knowledge.

C. Abuse case

An abuse case involves identifying how a system could be exploited or misused by an attacker. While it involves testing for potential vulnerabilities, it focuses on specific misuse cases rather than external testing without internal knowledge, as in black box testing.

D. Static application

Static application testing involves analyzing an application’s source code without executing it. This type of testing is different from black box testing, where the focus is on external access and behavior rather than code inspection.

Correct Answer

A) Quantum computing

Explanation

Quantum computing, when fully implemented, has the potential to undermine many of the encryption algorithms used today, such as RSA and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography). Quantum computers can potentially solve problems exponentially faster than classical computers, including factoring large numbers and solving discrete logarithms, which are the basis for current encryption schemes. This would render current encryption methods insecure in the face of quantum computing capabilities.

Why other options are wrong

B) Blockchain

Blockchain is a technology used to securely and transparently record transactions in a distributed ledger. While it has its own security implications, it does not pose a direct threat to the security of encryption technologies. In fact, blockchain often relies on cryptographic techniques to ensure the security of data.

C) Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of connected devices. While IoT does pose challenges in terms of securing devices and their communications, it does not directly threaten current encryption technologies, though it may increase the attack surface for certain devices.

D) Confidential computing

Confidential computing involves processing sensitive data in secure environments or "trusted execution environments" (TEEs). It does not jeopardize the security of current encryption technology but rather complements it by adding layers of security for data while it's being processed, not just during storage or transmission.