SSCP Systems Security Certified PractitionerCryptographyEasy
A security analyst is reviewing a system that uses cryptographic hashing to store user passwords. Which of the following properties of a cryptographic hash function ensures that an attacker cannot easily find two different inputs that produce the same hash output?
- ASecond pre-image resistance
- BCollision resistance
- COne-way property
- DPre-image resistance
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Collision resistance
Collision resistance is the property that makes it computationally infeasible to find two distinct inputs that hash to the same output. This is crucial for password storage security.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Second pre-image resistance means it's hard to find a *second* input that produces the same hash as a *given* input.
- C. The one-way property (pre-image resistance) ensures that it's hard to reverse the hash, but doesn't specifically address finding different inputs with the same hash.
- D. Pre-image resistance means it's hard to find an input that produces a given hash output (one-way).
Collision Resistance
A property of a cryptographic hash function making it computationally infeasible to find two distinct inputs that hash to the same output.
- Essential for data integrity and password security.
- Protects against birthday attacks.
- Weak collision resistance can lead to vulnerabilities.
Memory trick: Hashes are like unique fingerprints; collisions are when two people have the same print.