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SSCP · Question #1330

Which layer of the OSI model handles encryption?

The correct answer is A. Presentation Layer - L6. The Presentation Layer (Layer 6) of the OSI model is specifically responsible for handling data format translation, compression, and encryption/decryption services.

Submitted by joshua94· Apr 18, 2026Network and Communications Security

Question

Which layer of the OSI model handles encryption?

Options

  • APresentation Layer - L6
  • BApplication Layer - L7
  • CSession Layer - L5
  • DData Link Layer - L2

How the community answered

(27 responses)
  • A
    89% (24)
  • B
    7% (2)
  • D
    4% (1)

Why each option

The Presentation Layer (Layer 6) of the OSI model is specifically responsible for handling data format translation, compression, and encryption/decryption services.

APresentation Layer - L6Correct

The Presentation Layer (Layer 6) ensures that data is in a format that the receiving application can understand, performing functions like data encryption, compression, and conversion.

BApplication Layer - L7

The Application Layer (Layer 7) provides network services to the end-user application itself, not primarily general data encryption.

CSession Layer - L5

The Session Layer (Layer 5) manages the establishment, maintenance, and termination of communication sessions between applications, but it does not perform encryption.

DData Link Layer - L2

The Data Link Layer (Layer 2) handles frame transmission and error detection across a physical link, not end-to-end encryption for application data.

Concept tested: OSI Presentation Layer functions

Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/networking/osi-model-overview

Topics

#OSI Model#Presentation Layer#Encryption#Network Protocols

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