SFPC Security Fundamentals Professional
Certification 2025/2026 | Full DoD CDSE Exam Prep
Guide with 100+ Real and Recently Tested Questions &
Correct Answers | Verified Study Bank for First-Time
Pass | Updated Version for U.S. Federal & Military
Security Professionals
QUESTION 1
What is the primary goal of the CIA triad in information security?
A) To ensure data availability only
B) To maintain data integrity only
C) To protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information
D) To manage security incidents effectively
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: The CIA triad encompasses three core principles of information security:
Confidentiality (ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to
have access), Integrity (ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data), and Availability
(ensuring that information is accessible to authorized users when needed). Together,
these principles form the foundation of effective security practices.
QUESTION 2
Which of the following is considered a physical security control?
A) Firewalls
B) Security guards
C) Encryption
D) Anti-virus software
Correct Option: B
RATIONALE: Physical security controls are measures that protect physical assets and
facilities. Security guards are a direct physical presence that helps deter unauthorized
access and respond to incidents, making them a key component of physical security.
QUESTION 3
What is the purpose of the Risk Management Framework (RMF)?
A) To eliminate all security risks
B) To identify, assess, and manage risks to information systems
C) To provide a structured approach for managing security risks
D) To comply with all federal regulations
,Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: The Risk Management Framework provides a structured process for
integrating security and risk management activities into the system development
lifecycle. It helps organizations identify, assess, and manage risks to ensure that
information systems are protected effectively while balancing security needs with
operational requirements.
QUESTION 4
Which regulation mandates federal agencies to secure their information systems?
A) HIPAA
B) GDPR
C) FISMA
D) SOX
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) requires federal
agencies to develop, document, and implement an information security program to
protect their information systems. This includes conducting risk assessments and
implementing appropriate security controls.
QUESTION 5
What is the primary purpose of data encryption?
A) To improve data access speed
B) To protect data confidentiality
C) To enhance data integrity
D) To ensure data availability
Correct Option: B
RATIONALE: Data encryption transforms information into a coded format to prevent
unauthorized access. Its primary purpose is to protect confidentiality, ensuring that only
authorized users can read the data.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is NOT a type of malware?
A) Virus
B) Worm
C) Firewall
D) Trojan horse
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: A firewall is a security device that monitors and controls incoming and
,outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It is not classified as
malware, which refers to malicious software designed to harm or exploit devices.
QUESTION 7
In a risk assessment, what does the term "likelihood" refer to?
A) The impact of a risk
B) The probability that a risk will occur
C) The number of assets at risk
D) The cost of mitigation
Correct Option: B
RATIONALE: "Likelihood" refers to the probability that a specific risk will occur within a
defined timeframe. Understanding this helps organizations prioritize risks based on
their potential frequency.
QUESTION 8
Which security model focuses on the concept of least privilege?
A) Bell-LaPadula Model
B) Biba Model
C) Clark-Wilson Model
D) Brewer-Nash Model
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: The Clark-Wilson Model emphasizes the principle of least privilege,
ensuring that users have only the necessary access rights to perform their tasks,
thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized actions.
QUESTION 9
A company discovers that an employee has been accessing sensitive data without
authorization. What should be the first step in addressing this incident?
A) Terminate the employee immediately
B) Inform the media about the breach
C) Conduct an investigation to understand the extent of the access
D) Change all passwords immediately
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: Conducting an investigation is essential to understand the nature and
extent of the unauthorized access. This helps in determining the appropriate response
and mitigating any potential damage.
, QUESTION 10
Which of the following is a key component of an incident response plan?
A) Risk assessment
B) Security training
C) Incident detection and reporting
D) Business continuity planning
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: Incident detection and reporting are critical components of an incident
response plan, ensuring that incidents are identified, logged, and addressed promptly
to minimize impact.
QUESTION 11
What type of attack involves overwhelming a system with traffic to disrupt
services?
A) Phishing
B) Man-in-the-middle
C) Denial of Service (DoS)
D) SQL Injection
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: A Denial of Service (DoS) attack aims to make a service unavailable by
overwhelming it with excessive traffic, preventing legitimate users from accessing it.
QUESTION 12
During a security audit, an organization finds that several employees share
passwords. What is the most effective action to take?
A) Ignore the practice as it is common
B) Increase monitoring of user accounts
C) Implement a password policy and provide training on strong password practices
D) Change all passwords to a common one
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: Implementing a password policy and providing training on creating strong,
unique passwords is an effective way to enhance security and reduce the risks
associated with shared passwords.
QUESTION 13
Certification 2025/2026 | Full DoD CDSE Exam Prep
Guide with 100+ Real and Recently Tested Questions &
Correct Answers | Verified Study Bank for First-Time
Pass | Updated Version for U.S. Federal & Military
Security Professionals
QUESTION 1
What is the primary goal of the CIA triad in information security?
A) To ensure data availability only
B) To maintain data integrity only
C) To protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information
D) To manage security incidents effectively
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: The CIA triad encompasses three core principles of information security:
Confidentiality (ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to
have access), Integrity (ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data), and Availability
(ensuring that information is accessible to authorized users when needed). Together,
these principles form the foundation of effective security practices.
QUESTION 2
Which of the following is considered a physical security control?
A) Firewalls
B) Security guards
C) Encryption
D) Anti-virus software
Correct Option: B
RATIONALE: Physical security controls are measures that protect physical assets and
facilities. Security guards are a direct physical presence that helps deter unauthorized
access and respond to incidents, making them a key component of physical security.
QUESTION 3
What is the purpose of the Risk Management Framework (RMF)?
A) To eliminate all security risks
B) To identify, assess, and manage risks to information systems
C) To provide a structured approach for managing security risks
D) To comply with all federal regulations
,Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: The Risk Management Framework provides a structured process for
integrating security and risk management activities into the system development
lifecycle. It helps organizations identify, assess, and manage risks to ensure that
information systems are protected effectively while balancing security needs with
operational requirements.
QUESTION 4
Which regulation mandates federal agencies to secure their information systems?
A) HIPAA
B) GDPR
C) FISMA
D) SOX
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) requires federal
agencies to develop, document, and implement an information security program to
protect their information systems. This includes conducting risk assessments and
implementing appropriate security controls.
QUESTION 5
What is the primary purpose of data encryption?
A) To improve data access speed
B) To protect data confidentiality
C) To enhance data integrity
D) To ensure data availability
Correct Option: B
RATIONALE: Data encryption transforms information into a coded format to prevent
unauthorized access. Its primary purpose is to protect confidentiality, ensuring that only
authorized users can read the data.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is NOT a type of malware?
A) Virus
B) Worm
C) Firewall
D) Trojan horse
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: A firewall is a security device that monitors and controls incoming and
,outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It is not classified as
malware, which refers to malicious software designed to harm or exploit devices.
QUESTION 7
In a risk assessment, what does the term "likelihood" refer to?
A) The impact of a risk
B) The probability that a risk will occur
C) The number of assets at risk
D) The cost of mitigation
Correct Option: B
RATIONALE: "Likelihood" refers to the probability that a specific risk will occur within a
defined timeframe. Understanding this helps organizations prioritize risks based on
their potential frequency.
QUESTION 8
Which security model focuses on the concept of least privilege?
A) Bell-LaPadula Model
B) Biba Model
C) Clark-Wilson Model
D) Brewer-Nash Model
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: The Clark-Wilson Model emphasizes the principle of least privilege,
ensuring that users have only the necessary access rights to perform their tasks,
thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized actions.
QUESTION 9
A company discovers that an employee has been accessing sensitive data without
authorization. What should be the first step in addressing this incident?
A) Terminate the employee immediately
B) Inform the media about the breach
C) Conduct an investigation to understand the extent of the access
D) Change all passwords immediately
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: Conducting an investigation is essential to understand the nature and
extent of the unauthorized access. This helps in determining the appropriate response
and mitigating any potential damage.
, QUESTION 10
Which of the following is a key component of an incident response plan?
A) Risk assessment
B) Security training
C) Incident detection and reporting
D) Business continuity planning
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: Incident detection and reporting are critical components of an incident
response plan, ensuring that incidents are identified, logged, and addressed promptly
to minimize impact.
QUESTION 11
What type of attack involves overwhelming a system with traffic to disrupt
services?
A) Phishing
B) Man-in-the-middle
C) Denial of Service (DoS)
D) SQL Injection
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: A Denial of Service (DoS) attack aims to make a service unavailable by
overwhelming it with excessive traffic, preventing legitimate users from accessing it.
QUESTION 12
During a security audit, an organization finds that several employees share
passwords. What is the most effective action to take?
A) Ignore the practice as it is common
B) Increase monitoring of user accounts
C) Implement a password policy and provide training on strong password practices
D) Change all passwords to a common one
Correct Option: C
RATIONALE: Implementing a password policy and providing training on creating strong,
unique passwords is an effective way to enhance security and reduce the risks
associated with shared passwords.
QUESTION 13
