Understanding Cisco Cybersecurity Fundamentals (SECFND, legacy) — Question 78

Which cryptographic key is contained in an X.509 certificate?

Answer options

• A. symmetric
• B. public
• C. private
• D. asymmetric

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is B, as X.509 certificates are designed to contain a public key that can be shared and used for encryption and verification. Options A and C are incorrect because symmetric keys are not included in the certificate, and private keys are not distributed in the certificate itself. Option D is misleading, as 'asymmetric' refers to a type of cryptography that involves both public and private keys, but the question specifically asks for the key contained in the certificate.