312-50V11 · Question #732
Which of the following is assured by the use of a hash?
The correct answer is D. Integrity. A hash function produces a fixed-size digest that changes if the underlying data is altered, making it the primary mechanism for verifying data integrity.
Question
Which of the following is assured by the use of a hash?
Options
- AAuthentication
- BConfidentially
- CAvailability
- DIntegrity
How the community answered
(23 responses)- A4% (1)
- B4% (1)
- C4% (1)
- D87% (20)
Why each option
A hash function produces a fixed-size digest that changes if the underlying data is altered, making it the primary mechanism for verifying data integrity.
Authentication verifies the identity of a user or system, which requires mechanisms like passwords, certificates, or digital signatures - not a hash alone.
Confidentiality ensures data is hidden from unauthorized parties, which is achieved through encryption, not hashing.
Availability ensures systems and data are accessible when needed, which is addressed by redundancy and uptime controls, not hashing.
A cryptographic hash produces a deterministic, fixed-length digest from input data. Any modification to the data - even a single bit - produces a completely different hash value. This property makes hashes the standard tool for verifying that data has not been altered in transit or storage, which is the definition of integrity.
Concept tested: Cryptographic hash functions and data integrity
Source: https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/hash-functions
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