CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) — Question 101

A systems administrator uses a key to encrypt a message being sent to a peer in a different branch office. The peer then uses the same key to decrypt the message. Which of the following describes this example?

Answer options

• A. Symmetric
• B. Asymmetric
• C. Hashing
• D. Salting

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is A, Symmetric, as both the encryption and decryption processes utilize the same key. Options B (Asymmetric) involves two different keys, C (Hashing) is for data integrity and not encryption, and D (Salting) refers to enhancing passwords, not message encryption.