(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

What is a hash function used for in cybersecurity?

1. To encrypt data before transmission

2. To calculate a numeric representation of data

3. To generate a digital signature

4. To compress files for easier storage

The correct answer is: To calculate a numeric representation of data

A hash function serves a critical role in cybersecurity by producing a fixed-size numeric representation of input data, regardless of the original data size. This numeric representation, known as a hash value or hash, uniquely identifies the data that was input, making it efficient for tasks such as verifying data integrity and ensuring authenticity. When data is modified, even slightly, the hash output will change significantly, which allows for quick detection of alterations. While hash functions play a vital part in generating digital signatures, which authenticate data and verify the identity of the sender, the primary function of a hash in the context provided aligns with calculating a numeric representation of that data. This is pivotal in various applications, such as creating checksums to confirm data integrity during transmission or storage. In contrast, encrypting data involves transforming it into a secure format to prevent unauthorized access, which is a different process than hashing. Compression focuses on reducing file size for storage efficiency and is unrelated to the unique identification of data or its integrity. Thus, the correct answer accurately reflects the fundamental purpose of hash functions in the realm of cybersecurity.