SSCP Exam Dumps - ISC 2 Credentials Questions and Answers

In link encryption, each entity has keys in common with its two neighboring nodes in the transmission chain.

Thus, a node receives the encrypted message from its predecessor, decrypts it, and then re-encrypts it with a new key, common to the successor node. Obviously, this mode does not provide protection if anyone of the nodes along the transmission path is compromised.

Encryption can be performed at different communication levels, each with different types of protection and implications. Two general modes of encryption implementation are link encryption and end-to-end encryption.

Link encryption encrypts all the data along a specific communication path, as in a satellite link, T3 line, or telephone circuit. Not only is the user information encrypted, but the header, trailers, addresses, and routing data that are part of the packets are also encrypted. The only traffic not encrypted in this technology is the data link control messaging information, which includes instructions and parameters that the different link devices use to synchronize communication methods. Link encryption provides protection against packet sniffers and eavesdroppers.

In end-to-end encryption, the headers, addresses, routing, and trailer information are not encrypted, enabling attackers to learn more about a captured packet and where it is headed.

Reference(s) used for this question:

Harris, Shon (2012-10-25). CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, 6th Edition (pp. 845-846). McGraw-Hill.

And:

KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, Chapter 4: Cryptography (page 132).

An algorithm that turns messages or text into a fixed string of digits, usually for security or data management purposes. The "one way" means that it's nearly impossible to derive the original text from the string.

A one-way hash function is used to create digital signatures, which in turn identify and authenticate the sender and message of a digitally distributed message.

A cryptographic hash function is a deterministic procedure that takes an arbitrary block of data and returns a fixed-size bit string, the (cryptographic) hash value, such that an accidental or intentional change to the data will change the hash value. The data to be encoded is often called the "message," and the hash value is sometimes called the message digest or simply digest.

The ideal cryptographic hash function has four main or significant properties:

it is easy (but not necessarily quick) to compute the hash value for any given message

it is infeasible to generate a message that has a given hash

it is infeasible to modify a message without changing the hash

it is infeasible to find two different messages with the same hash

Cryptographic hash functions have many information security applications, notably in digital signatures, message authentication codes (MACs), and other forms of authentication. They can also be used as ordinary hash functions, to index data in hash tables, for fingerprinting, to detect duplicate data or uniquely identify files, and as checksums to detect accidental data corruption. Indeed, in information security contexts, cryptographic hash values are sometimes called (digital) fingerprints, checksums, or just hash values, even though all these terms stand for functions with rather different properties and purposes.

Source:

TIPTON, Hal, (ISC)2, Introduction to the CISSP Exam presentation.

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptographic_hash_function

The International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA) is a block cipher that operates on 64 bit blocks of data with a 128-bit key. The data blocks are divided into 16 smaller blocks and each has eight rounds of mathematical functions performed on it. It is used in the PGP encryption software.

Source: WALLHOFF, John, CBK#5 Cryptography (CISSP Study Guide), April 2002 (page 3).

The Business Impact Analysis (BIA) identifies time-critical aspects of the critical business processes, and determines their maximum tolerable downtime. The BIA helps to Identify organization functions, the capabilities of each organization unit to handle outages, and the priority and sequence of functions and applications to be recovered, identify resources required for recovery of those areas and interdependencies

In performing the Business Impact Analysis (BIA) it is very important to consider what the dependencies are. You cannot bring a system up if it depends on another system to be operational. You need to look at not only internal dependencies but external as well. You might not be able to get the raw materials for your business so dependencies are very important aspect of a BIA.

The BIA committee will not truly understand all business processes, the steps that must take place, or the resources and supplies these processes require. So the committee must gather this information from the people who do know— department managers and specific employees throughout the organization. The committee starts by identifying the people who will be part of the BIA data-gathering sessions. The committee needs to identify how it will collect the data from the selected employees, be it through surveys, interviews, or workshops. Next, the team needs to collect the information by actually conducting surveys, interviews, and workshops. Data points obtained as part of the information gathering will be used later during analysis. It is important that the team members ask about how different tasks— whether processes, transactions, or services, along with any relevant dependencies— get accomplished within the organization.

The following answers are incorrect:

composition This is incorrect because it is not the best answer. While the make up of business may be important, if you have not determined the dependencies first you may not be able to bring the critical business processes to a ready state or have the materials on hand that are needed.

priorities This is incorrect because it is not the best answer. While the priorities of processes are important, if you have not determined the dependencies first you may not be able to bring the critical business processes to a ready state or have the materials on hand that are needed.

service levels This is incorrect because it is not the best answer. Service levels are not as important as dependencies.

Reference(s) used for this question:

Schneiter, Andrew (2013-04-15). Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP CBK, Third Edition : Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning (Kindle Locations 188-191). . Kindle Edition.

and

Harris, Shon (2012-10-25). CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, 6th Edition (Kindle Locations 18562-18568). McGraw-Hill. Kindle Edition.

The Full Backup Method is primarily run when time and tape space permits, and is used for the system archive or baselined tape sets.

Source: KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, 2001, John Wiley & Sons, Page 69.

This is called the Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Actual Cost Valuation (ACV)

All of the other answers were only detractors. Below you have an explanation of the different types of valuation you could use. It is VERY important for you to validate with your insurer which one applies to you as you could have some very surprising finding the day you have a disaster that takes place.

Replacement Cost

Property replacement cost insurance promises to replace old with new. Generally, replacement of a building must be done on the same premises and used for the same purpose, using materials comparable to the quality of the materials in the damaged or destroyed property.

There are some other limitations to this promise. For example, the cost of repairs or replacement for buildings

doesn’t include the increased cost associated with building codes or other laws controlling how buildings must be built today. An endorsement adding coverage for the operation of Building Codes and the increased costs associated with complying with them is available separately — usually for additional premium.

In addition, some insurance underwriters will only cover certain property on a depreciated value (actual cash value — ACV) basis even when attached to the building. This includes awnings and floor coverings, appliances for refrigerating, ventilating, cooking, dishwashing, and laundering. Depreciated value also applies to outdoor equipment or furniture.

Actual Cash Value (ACV)

The ACV is the default valuation clause for commercial property insurance. It is also known as depreciated value, but this is not the same as accounting depreciated value. The actual cash value is determined by first calculating the replacement value of the property. The next step involves estimating the amount to be subtracted, which reflects the

building’s age, wear, and tear.

This amount deducted from the replacement value is known as depreciation. The amount of depreciation is reduced by inflation (increased cost of replacing the property); regular maintenance; and repair (new roofs, new electrical systems, etc.) because these factors reduce the effective age of the buildings.

The amount of depreciation applicable is somewhat subjective and certainly subject to negotiation. In fact, there is often disagreement and a degree of uncertainty over the amount of depreciation applicable to a particular building.

Given this reality, property owners should not leave the determination of depreciation to chance or wait until suffering

a property loss to be concerned about it. Every three to five years, property owners should obtain a professional appraisal of the replacement value and depreciated value of the buildings.

The ACV valuation is an option for directors to consider when certain buildings are in need of repair, or budget constraints prevent insuring all of your facilities on a replacement cost basis. There are other valuation options for property owners to consider as well.

Functional Replacement Cost

This valuation method has been available for some time but has not been widely used. It is beginning to show up on property insurance policies imposed by underwriters with concerns about older, buildings. It can also be used for buildings, which are functionally obsolete.

This method provides for the replacement of a building with similar property that performs the same function, using less costly material. The endorsement includes coverage for building codes automatically.

In the event of a loss, the insurance company pays the smallest of four payment options.

1. In the event of a total loss, the insurer could pay the limit of insurance on the building or the cost to replace the building on the same (or different) site with a payment that is “functionally equivalent.”

2. In the event of a partial loss, the insurance company could pay the cost to repair or replace the damaged portion in the same architectural style with less costly material (if available).

3. The insurance company could also pay the amount actually spent to demolish the undamaged portion of the building and clear the site if necessary.

4. The fourth payment option is to pay the amount actually spent to repair, or replace the building using less costly materials, if available (Hillman and McCracken 1997).

Unlike the replacement cost valuation method, which excluded certain fixtures and personal property used to service the premises, this endorsement provides functional replacement cost coverage for these items (awnings, floor coverings, appliances, etc.) (Hillman nd McCracken 1997).

As in the standard replacement cost value option, the insured can elect not to repair or replace the property. Under these circumstances the company pays the smallest of the following:

1. The Limit of Liability

2. The “market value” (not including the value of the land) at the time of the loss. The endorsement defines “market value” as the price which the property might be expected to realize if ffered for sale in fair market.”

3. A modified form of ACV (the amount to repair or replace on he same site with less costly material and in the same architectural tyle, less depreciation) (Hillman and McCracken 1997).

Agreed Value or Agreed Amount

Agreed value or agreed amount is not a valuation method. Instead, his term refers to a waiver of the coinsurance clause in the property insurance policy. Availability of this coverage feature varies among insurers but, it is usually available only when the underwriter has proof (an independent appraisal, or compliance with an insurance company valuation model) of the value of your property.

When do I get paid?

Generally, the insurance company will not pay a replacement cost settlement until the property that was damaged or destroyed is actually repaired or replaced as soon as reasonably possible after the loss.

Under no circumstances will the insurance company pay more than your limit of insurance or more than the actual amount you spend to repair or replace the damaged property if this amount is less than the limit of insurance.

Replacement cost insurance terms give the insured the option of settling the loss on an ACV basis. This option may be exercised if you don’t plan to replace the building or if you are faced with a significant coinsurance penalty on a replacement cost settlement.

References:

http://www.schirickinsurance.com/resources/value2005.pdf

and

TIPTON, Harold F. & KRAUSE, MICKI

Information Security Management Handbook, 4th Edition, Volume 1

Property Insurance overview, Page 587.

The Answer: Risk: The potential for harm or loss to an information system or network; the probability that a threat will materialize.

Source: KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, 2001, John Wiley & Sons, Pages 16, 32.

While a digital signature binds a document to the possessor of a particular key, a digital timestamp binds a document to its creation at a particular time.

Trusted timestamping is the process of securely keeping track of the creation and modification time of a document. Security here means that no one — not even the owner of the document — should be able to change it once it has been recorded provided that the timestamper's integrity is never compromised.

The administrative aspect involves setting up a publicly available, trusted timestamp management infrastructure to collect, process and renew timestamps or to make use of a commercially available time stamping service.

A modern example of using a Digital Timestamp is the case of an industrial research organization that may later need to prove, for patent purposes, that they made a particular discovery on a particular date; since magnetic media can be altered easily, this may be a nontrivial issue. One possible solution is for a researcher to compute and record in a hardcopy laboratory notebook a cryptographic hash of the relevant data file. In the future, should there be a need to prove the version of this file retrieved from a backup tape has not been altered, the hash function could be recomputed and compared with the hash value recorded in that paper notebook.

According to the RFC 3161 standard, a trusted timestamp is a timestamp issued by a trusted third party (TTP) acting as a Time Stamping Authority (TSA). It is used to prove the existence of certain data before a certain point (e.g. contracts, research data, medical records,...) without the possibility that the owner can backdate the timestamps. Multiple TSAs can be used to increase reliability and reduce vulnerability.

The newer ANSI ASC X9.95 Standard for trusted timestamps augments the RFC 3161 standard with data-level security requirements to ensure data integrity against a reliable time source that is provable to any third party. This standard has been applied to authenticating digitally signed data for regulatory compliance, financial transactions, and legal evidence.

Digital TimeStamp

The following are incorrect answers:

Network Time Protocol (NTP) is used to achieve high accuracy time synchronization for computers across a network.

A Certification Authority (CA) is the entity responsible for the issuance of digital certificates.

A Digital Signature provides integrity and authentication but does not bind a document to a specific time it was created.

Reference used for this question:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trusted_timestamping.gif

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_timestamping

Steganography is a secret communication where the very existence of the message is hidden. For example, in a digital image, the least significant bit of each word can be used to comprise a message without causing any significant change in the image. Key clustering is a situation in which a plaintext message generates identical ciphertext messages using the same transformation algorithm but with different keys. Cryptology encompasses cryptography and cryptanalysis. The Vernam Cipher, also called a one-time pad, is an encryption scheme using a random key of the same size as the message and is used only once. It is said to be unbreakable, even with infinite resources.

Source: KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, Chapter 4: Cryptography (page 134).

DSS provides Integrity, digital signature and Authentication, but does not provide Encryption.

Source: KRUTZ, Ronald L. & VINES, Russel D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, Chapter 4: Cryptography (page 160).