Exam CAS-004 topic 1 question 443 discussion

o HSMs are designed for security: HSMs are dedicated hardware devices specifically designed to securely store and manage cryptographic keys. They offer high levels of security with tamper-resistant hardware and strict access controls, making them ideal for storing sensitive information like MFA seeds. o Minimal management overhead: HSMs often come with built-in management tools and APIs, simplifying the process of setting up, managing, and accessing keys. This reduces the need for extensive manual intervention. o Offline storage: HSMs can be physically disconnected from the network and stored offline, ensuring that the MFA seeds are isolated from potential network attacks.

The best solution for securely backing up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) seeds for employees in a central, offline location with minimal management overhead is: A. Key escrow service. Key escrow service is designed to securely store and manage cryptographic keys, including MFA seeds. The "escrow" part refers to a trusted third party that holds the keys, which can be recovered if needed, ensuring secure backup of MFA seeds. This type of service is typically used for situations where keys must be stored in a way that they can be accessed under specific conditions but otherwise remain protected. NOT D. Hardware security module (HSM): While an HSM is excellent for securely generating and storing cryptographic keys, it is generally used for real-time operations, not necessarily for centralizing offline backups of MFA seeds. AND NOT C. Encrypted database: An encrypted database can be used for storing various types of sensitive data, but it requires ongoing management and doesn't inherently provide the offline storage feature or the level of protection specific to MFA seed backup.

The organization needs a secure, central, and offline solution to back up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) seeds with minimal management overhead. MFA seeds are sensitive pieces of information used to generate one-time passwords for authentication purposes. Storing them securely is critical to prevent unauthorized access, which could compromise the entire authentication system. By using an encrypted database, the organization can securely store the MFA seeds in a central, offline location with minimal ongoing management requirements. Why not D: An HSM is a physical device that manages digital keys for strong authentication and provides cryptographic processing. SMs are expensive to procure and maintain, which might not be justifiable for simply backing up MFA seeds. HSMs are better suited for high-security environments where cryptographic operations are performed frequently, not just for storage.

D. Hardware security module (HSM): HSMs are designed to securely manage and protect cryptographic keys and other sensitive information like MFA seeds, offering a high level of security in an offline environment with minimal management overhead.

An HSM provides a highly secure method for storing and managing cryptographic keys and other sensitive data, including MFA seeds. HSMs are designed to be tamper-resistant and are capable of securely generating, storing, and backing up cryptographic keys in an offline environment. Once configured, HSMs require minimal management overhead and provide robust security features, including physical security, to protect the stored data.