Which data state is the MOST vulnerable to a cold-boot memory attack?
A CISSP practice question covering Domain 2: Asset Security. Try answering before reading the explanation below.
Show options & answer
Why "Data in use" is the right answer
Data in use lives in RAM in cleartext (decrypted to be processed). Cold-boot attacks dump RAM contents while the system is briefly powered off but memory is still readable. Disk encryption protects at-rest; TLS protects in-transit; in-use is the gap that requires memory-safe processing.
Take the full CISSP practice test
120 questions, instant explanations, study-video links on every miss. No account.