SSCP Exam Question 657
Which of the following is true of two-factor authentication?
Correct Answer: D
It relies on two independent proofs of identity. Two-factor
authentication refers to using two independent proofs of identity, such as something the user has (e.g. a token card) and something the user knows (a password). Two-factor authentication may be used with single sign-on.
The following answers are incorrect: It requires two measurements of hand geometry. Measuring hand geometry twice does not yield two independent proofs.
It uses the RSA public-key signature based on integers with large prime factors. RSA encryption uses integers with exactly two prime factors, but the term "two-factor authentication" is not used in that context.
It does not use single sign-on technology. This is a detractor.
The following reference(s) were/was used to create this question: Shon Harris AIO v.3 p.129 ISC2 OIG, 2007 p. 126
authentication refers to using two independent proofs of identity, such as something the user has (e.g. a token card) and something the user knows (a password). Two-factor authentication may be used with single sign-on.
The following answers are incorrect: It requires two measurements of hand geometry. Measuring hand geometry twice does not yield two independent proofs.
It uses the RSA public-key signature based on integers with large prime factors. RSA encryption uses integers with exactly two prime factors, but the term "two-factor authentication" is not used in that context.
It does not use single sign-on technology. This is a detractor.
The following reference(s) were/was used to create this question: Shon Harris AIO v.3 p.129 ISC2 OIG, 2007 p. 126
SSCP Exam Question 658
In the Bell-LaPadula model, the Star-property is also called:
Correct Answer: B
Explanation/Reference:
The Bell-LaPadula model focuses on data confidentiality and access to classified information, in contrast to the Biba Integrity Model which describes rules for the protection of data integrity.
In this formal model, the entities in an information system are divided into subjects and objects.
The notion of a "secure state" is defined, and it is proven that each state transition preserves security by moving from secure state to secure state, thereby proving that the system satisfies the security objectives of the model.
The Bell-LaPadula model is built on the concept of a state machine with a set of allowable states in a system. The transition from one state to another state is defined by transition functions.
A system state is defined to be "secure" if the only permitted access modes of subjects to objects are in accordance with a security policy.
To determine whether a specific access mode is allowed, the clearance of a subject is compared to the classification of the object (more precisely, to the combination of classification and set of compartments, making up the security level) to determine if the subject is authorized for the specific access mode.
The clearance/classification scheme is expressed in terms of a lattice. The model defines two mandatory access control (MAC) rules and one discretionary access control (DAC) rule with three security properties:
The Simple Security Property - a subject at a given security level may not read an object at a higher security level (no read-up).
The property (read "star"-property) - a subject at a given security level must not write to any object at a lower security level (no write-down). The property is also known as the Confinement property.
The Discretionary Security Property - use an access control matrix to specify the discretionary access control.
The transfer of information from a high-sensitivity document to a lower-sensitivity document may happen in the Bell-LaPadula model via the concept of trusted subjects. Trusted Subjects are not restricted by the property. Untrusted subjects are.
Trusted Subjects must be shown to be trustworthy with regard to the security policy. This security model is directed toward access control and is characterized by the phrase: "no read up, no write down." Compare the Biba model, the Clark-Wilson model and the Chinese Wall.
With Bell-LaPadula, users can create content only at or above their own security level (i.e. secret researchers can create secret or top-secret files but may not create public files; no write-down).
Conversely, users can view content only at or below their own security level (i.e. secret researchers can view public or secret files, but may not view top-secret files; no read-up).
Strong Property
The Strong Property is an alternative to the Property in which subjects may write to objects with only a matching security level. Thus, the write-up operation permitted in the usual Property is not present, only a write-to-same level operation. The Strong Property is usually discussed in the context of multilevel database management systems and is motivated by integrity concerns.
Tranquility principle
The tranquility principle of the Bell-LaPadula model states that the classification of a subject or object does not change while it is being referenced. There are two forms to the tranquility principle: the "principle of strong tranquility" states that security levels do not change during the normal operation of the system and the "principle of weak tranquility" states that security levels do not change in a way that violates the rules of a given security policy.
Another interpretation of the tranquility principles is that they both apply only to the period of time during which an operation involving an object or subject is occurring. That is, the strong tranquility principle means that an object's security level/label will not change during an operation (such as read or write); the weak tranquility principle means that an object's security level/label may change in a way that does not violate the security policy during an operation.
Reference(s) used for this question:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biba_Model
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandatory_access_control
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discretionary_access_control
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark-Wilson_model
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewer_and_Nash_model
The Bell-LaPadula model focuses on data confidentiality and access to classified information, in contrast to the Biba Integrity Model which describes rules for the protection of data integrity.
In this formal model, the entities in an information system are divided into subjects and objects.
The notion of a "secure state" is defined, and it is proven that each state transition preserves security by moving from secure state to secure state, thereby proving that the system satisfies the security objectives of the model.
The Bell-LaPadula model is built on the concept of a state machine with a set of allowable states in a system. The transition from one state to another state is defined by transition functions.
A system state is defined to be "secure" if the only permitted access modes of subjects to objects are in accordance with a security policy.
To determine whether a specific access mode is allowed, the clearance of a subject is compared to the classification of the object (more precisely, to the combination of classification and set of compartments, making up the security level) to determine if the subject is authorized for the specific access mode.
The clearance/classification scheme is expressed in terms of a lattice. The model defines two mandatory access control (MAC) rules and one discretionary access control (DAC) rule with three security properties:
The Simple Security Property - a subject at a given security level may not read an object at a higher security level (no read-up).
The property (read "star"-property) - a subject at a given security level must not write to any object at a lower security level (no write-down). The property is also known as the Confinement property.
The Discretionary Security Property - use an access control matrix to specify the discretionary access control.
The transfer of information from a high-sensitivity document to a lower-sensitivity document may happen in the Bell-LaPadula model via the concept of trusted subjects. Trusted Subjects are not restricted by the property. Untrusted subjects are.
Trusted Subjects must be shown to be trustworthy with regard to the security policy. This security model is directed toward access control and is characterized by the phrase: "no read up, no write down." Compare the Biba model, the Clark-Wilson model and the Chinese Wall.
With Bell-LaPadula, users can create content only at or above their own security level (i.e. secret researchers can create secret or top-secret files but may not create public files; no write-down).
Conversely, users can view content only at or below their own security level (i.e. secret researchers can view public or secret files, but may not view top-secret files; no read-up).
Strong Property
The Strong Property is an alternative to the Property in which subjects may write to objects with only a matching security level. Thus, the write-up operation permitted in the usual Property is not present, only a write-to-same level operation. The Strong Property is usually discussed in the context of multilevel database management systems and is motivated by integrity concerns.
Tranquility principle
The tranquility principle of the Bell-LaPadula model states that the classification of a subject or object does not change while it is being referenced. There are two forms to the tranquility principle: the "principle of strong tranquility" states that security levels do not change during the normal operation of the system and the "principle of weak tranquility" states that security levels do not change in a way that violates the rules of a given security policy.
Another interpretation of the tranquility principles is that they both apply only to the period of time during which an operation involving an object or subject is occurring. That is, the strong tranquility principle means that an object's security level/label will not change during an operation (such as read or write); the weak tranquility principle means that an object's security level/label may change in a way that does not violate the security policy during an operation.
Reference(s) used for this question:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biba_Model
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandatory_access_control
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discretionary_access_control
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark-Wilson_model
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewer_and_Nash_model
SSCP Exam Question 659
All following observations about IPSec are correct except:
Correct Answer: D
Source: TIPTON, Harold F. & KRAUSE, MICKI, Information Security Management Handbook, 4th Edition, Volume 2, 2001, CRC Press, NY, Pages 166-167.
SSCP Exam Question 660
Which of the following is often the greatest challenge of distributed computing solutions?
Correct Answer: B
The correct answer to this "security". It is a major factor in deciding if a centralized or decentralized environment is more appropriate.
Example: In a centralized computing environment, you have a central server and workstations (often "dumb terminals") access applications, data, and everything else from that central servers. Therefore, the vast majority of your security resides on a centrally managed server. In a decentralized (or distributed) environment, you have a collection of PC's each with their own operating systems to maintain, their own software to maintain, local data storage requiring protection and backup. You may also have PDA's and "smart phones", data watches, USB devices of all types able to store data... the list gets longer all the time.
It is entirely possible to reach a reasonable and acceptable level of security in a distributed environment. But doing so is significantly more difficult, requiring more effort, more money, and more time.
The other answers are not correct because:
scalability - A distributed computing environment is almost infinitely scalable. Much more so than a centralized environment. This is therefore a bad answer.
heterogeneity - Having products and systems from multiple vendors in a distributed environment is significantly easier than in a centralized environment. This would not be a "challenge of distributed computing solutions" and so is not a good answer.
usability - This is potentially a challenge in either environment, but whether or not this is a problem has very little to do with whether it is a centralized or distributed environment. Therefore, this would not be a good answer.
Reference:
Official ISC2 Guide page: 313-314
All in One Third Edition page: (unavailable at this time)
Example: In a centralized computing environment, you have a central server and workstations (often "dumb terminals") access applications, data, and everything else from that central servers. Therefore, the vast majority of your security resides on a centrally managed server. In a decentralized (or distributed) environment, you have a collection of PC's each with their own operating systems to maintain, their own software to maintain, local data storage requiring protection and backup. You may also have PDA's and "smart phones", data watches, USB devices of all types able to store data... the list gets longer all the time.
It is entirely possible to reach a reasonable and acceptable level of security in a distributed environment. But doing so is significantly more difficult, requiring more effort, more money, and more time.
The other answers are not correct because:
scalability - A distributed computing environment is almost infinitely scalable. Much more so than a centralized environment. This is therefore a bad answer.
heterogeneity - Having products and systems from multiple vendors in a distributed environment is significantly easier than in a centralized environment. This would not be a "challenge of distributed computing solutions" and so is not a good answer.
usability - This is potentially a challenge in either environment, but whether or not this is a problem has very little to do with whether it is a centralized or distributed environment. Therefore, this would not be a good answer.
Reference:
Official ISC2 Guide page: 313-314
All in One Third Edition page: (unavailable at this time)
SSCP Exam Question 661
The Diffie-Hellman algorithm is primarily used to provide which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Diffie and Hellman describe a means for two parties to agree upon a shared secret in such a way that the secret will be unavailable to eavesdroppers. This secret may then be converted into cryptographic keying material for other (symmetric) algorithms. A large number of minor variants of this process exist. See RFC 2631 Diffie-Hellman Key Agreement Method for more details.
In 1976, Diffie and Hellman were the first to introduce the notion of public key cryptography, requiring a system allowing the exchange of secret keys over non-secure channels. The Diffie-Hellman algorithm is used for key exchange between two parties communicating with each other, it cannot be used for encrypting and decrypting messages, or digital signature. Diffie and Hellman sought to address the issue of having to exchange keys via courier and other unsecure means. Their efforts were the FIRST asymmetric key agreement algorithm. Since the Diffie-Hellman algorithm cannot be used for encrypting and decrypting it cannot provide confidentiality nor integrity. This algorithm also does not provide for digital signature functionality and thus non-repudiation is not a choice.
NOTE: The DH algorithm is susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks.
KEY AGREEMENT VERSUS KEY EXCHANGE A key exchange can be done multiple way. It can be done in person, I can generate a key and then encrypt the key to get it securely to you by encrypting it with your public key. A Key Agreement protocol is done over a public medium such as the internet using a mathematical formula to come out with a common value on both sides of the communication link, without the ennemy being able to know what the common agreement is.
The following answers were incorrect:
All of the other choices were not correct choices
Reference(s) used for this question:
Shon Harris, CISSP All In One (AIO), 6th edition . Chapter 7, Cryptography, Page 812. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffie%E2%80%93Hellman_key_exchange http://www.google.com/patents?vid=4200770
In 1976, Diffie and Hellman were the first to introduce the notion of public key cryptography, requiring a system allowing the exchange of secret keys over non-secure channels. The Diffie-Hellman algorithm is used for key exchange between two parties communicating with each other, it cannot be used for encrypting and decrypting messages, or digital signature. Diffie and Hellman sought to address the issue of having to exchange keys via courier and other unsecure means. Their efforts were the FIRST asymmetric key agreement algorithm. Since the Diffie-Hellman algorithm cannot be used for encrypting and decrypting it cannot provide confidentiality nor integrity. This algorithm also does not provide for digital signature functionality and thus non-repudiation is not a choice.
NOTE: The DH algorithm is susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks.
KEY AGREEMENT VERSUS KEY EXCHANGE A key exchange can be done multiple way. It can be done in person, I can generate a key and then encrypt the key to get it securely to you by encrypting it with your public key. A Key Agreement protocol is done over a public medium such as the internet using a mathematical formula to come out with a common value on both sides of the communication link, without the ennemy being able to know what the common agreement is.
The following answers were incorrect:
All of the other choices were not correct choices
Reference(s) used for this question:
Shon Harris, CISSP All In One (AIO), 6th edition . Chapter 7, Cryptography, Page 812. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffie%E2%80%93Hellman_key_exchange http://www.google.com/patents?vid=4200770
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