Question

A system administrator at a software company is reviewing the company's security procedures. The company uses various cryptographic techniques for data security and is currently concerned about potential misconfigurations that could compromise data integrity and confidentiality. The system administrator aims to mitigate the risk of misconfigurations in the company's cryptographic settings that could lead to potential security vulnerabilities. Which of the following actions should the system administrator prioritize to ensure the cryptographic systems are well-configured and avoid possible security gaps? (Select the two best options.)

A. Implement network segmentation.
B. Adopt biometric authentication.
C.Regularly update and patch cryptographic software.
D. Conduct periodic penetration testing.

Answer 1

The correct option are (C & D) The system administrator should regularly update and patch cryptographic software and conduct periodic penetration testing to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of data and prevent potential misconfigurations and security vulnerabilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

To ensure the cryptographic systems are well-configured and to avoid possible security gaps, the system administrator should prioritize the following actions:

1. Regularly update and patch cryptographic software. This is crucial because updates often contain patches for security vulnerabilities that could be exploited if left unaddressed.
2. Conduct periodic penetration testing. This proactive measure involves simulating cyberattacks to identify and fix security weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.

These actions are necessary to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of data. While network segmentation and biometric authentication contribute to a robust security posture, they do not directly address the potential misconfigurations in cryptographic settings. Keeping cryptographic tools up to date and testing the security infrastructure regularly are essential practices in preventing data breaches and ensuring the safety of sensitive information.

Answer 2

To ensure cryptographic systems' security, the system administrator should regularly update and patch cryptographic software and conduct periodic penetration testing. These actions directly improve the system's security by addressing vulnerabilities and testing defense capabilities. The correct answer is option C.Regularly update and patch cryptographic software.

Step-by-step explanation:

To ensure the cryptographic systems are well-configured and avoid possible security gaps, two key actions should be prioritized by the system administrator. The first action is to Regularly update and patch cryptographic software. This process keeps the software up-to-date with the latest security fixes and enhancements, ensuring that vulnerabilities are addressed quickly before they can be exploited by attackers. Regular updates are essential to protect against the constantly evolving landscape of threats.

The second recommended action is to Conduct periodic penetration testing. Penetration testing simulates cyberattacks and attempts to breach the company's cryptographic defenses, identifying weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious entities. This proactive measure allows the organization to understand and improve their defensive capabilities, essentially learning and adapting from these controlled attack scenarios to strengthen their cryptographic systems.

• Implementing network segmentation can be beneficial in overall network security, but it does not directly configure or enhance cryptographic systems.
• Adopting biometric authentication increases access control security but also does not directly improve the configuration of cryptographic systems.