Tokenization for Secure, Recurring Transactions | CS0-002: CompTIA CySA+ Exam

Tokenization for Secure, Recurring Transactions

Question

An organization that handles sensitive financial information wants to perform tokenization of data to enable the execution of recurring transactions.

The organization is most interested in a secure, built-in device to support its solution.

Which of the following would MOST likely be required to perform the desired function?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D. E.

A.

The organization wants to tokenize sensitive financial information to facilitate recurring transactions. Tokenization is a process of replacing sensitive data with a unique identifier, called a token. The token has no meaning or value outside of the system that generated it, making it less vulnerable to theft and unauthorized access. To perform tokenization, the organization requires a secure, built-in device that can generate and manage tokens securely.

Out of the given options, the device that would MOST likely be required to perform the desired function is a Hardware Security Module (HSM). An HSM is a physical computing device that provides secure storage, management, and use of digital keys and certificates. It is designed to perform cryptographic operations such as encryption, decryption, and digital signing securely. HSMs are used in applications that require high levels of security, such as financial transactions, online identity verification, and data protection.

An HSM can generate and manage tokens securely by using its built-in encryption capabilities. When a transaction is initiated, the sensitive financial information is encrypted using a secret key that is stored within the HSM. The HSM generates a unique token for the transaction and associates it with the encrypted data. The token is then used for all subsequent transactions, while the sensitive data remains securely stored within the HSM. The HSM can also perform key management functions, such as key generation, key distribution, and key revocation.

The other options given in the question are:

A. TPM (Trusted Platform Module) - A hardware device that provides a secure storage area for cryptographic keys and measurements of the boot process. TPMs are typically used to secure hardware-based encryption and digital rights management (DRM) systems.

B. eFuse - A fuse-like component that can be programmed to store a unique identifier or cryptographic key. eFuse is commonly used in mobile devices for secure boot and device identification.

C. FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) - A type of integrated circuit that can be programmed to perform specific functions. FPGAs are used in applications that require high-performance computing and signal processing.

E. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - A firmware interface between the operating system and the system firmware. UEFI is designed to replace the traditional BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and provides enhanced security and management features.

None of these options are designed specifically for tokenization or provide the level of security required for handling sensitive financial information. Therefore, the best option for the organization to perform tokenization securely is an HSM.