Terminology and concepts of cryptography

Question 1

What is the primary function of a cryptographic hash function?

A) Encrypt data
B) Decrypt data
C) Generate a unique fixed-size output from an input
D) Exchange cryptographic keys

Answer 1

C) Generate a unique fixed-size output from an input

Question 2

Which of the following best describes ‘plaintext’?

A) Data that has been encrypted
B) Data in its original, unencrypted form
C) A cryptographic key
D) A type of symmetric encryption algorithm

Answer 2

B) Data in its original, unencrypted form

Question 3

What is ‘encryption’?

A) The process of verifying the integrity of data
B) The process of converting plaintext into ciphertext
C) The process of decoding encrypted data
D) The process of generating cryptographic keys

Answer 3

B) The process of converting plaintext into ciphertext

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a symmetric encryption algorithm?

A) RSA
B) DSA
C) AES
D) ECC

Answer 4

C) AES

Question 5

What is a ‘ciphertext’?

A) A type of symmetric key
B) Encrypted data
C) A cryptographic protocol
D) A method for key exchange

Answer 5

B) Encrypted data

Question 5

In cryptography, what does ‘key management’ refer to?

A) The process of generating encryption keys
B) The process of storing, protecting, and distributing cryptographic keys
C) The process of encrypting data
D) The process of hashing data

Answer 5

B) The process of storing, protecting, and distributing cryptographic keys

Question 6

What is ‘public key infrastructure’ (PKI)?

A) A system for managing symmetric keys
B) A framework for managing public and private keys
C) A method for encrypting emails
D) A type of cryptographic hash function

Answer 6

B) A framework for managing public and private keys

Question 7

Which term describes the process of converting ciphertext back into plaintext?

A) Encryption
B) Hashing
C) Decryption
D) Signing

Answer 7

C) Decryption

Question 8

What is a ‘digital certificate’?

A) A document that verifies the identity of the certificate holder
B) A type of symmetric key
C) A method for encrypting data
D) A cryptographic algorithm

Answer 8

A) A document that verifies the identity of the certificate holder