Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a CSPRNG in cybersecurity?

1. To create stronger passwords

2. To generate salt

3. To encrypt data

4. To control access

The correct answer is: To generate salt

A Cryptographically Secure Pseudorandom Number Generator (CSPRNG) is designed specifically to produce random numbers that are suitable for cryptographic applications. The key purpose of a CSPRNG is to ensure the randomness and unpredictability of the numbers it generates, which is crucial for many security processes. Generating salt is one important application of a CSPRNG. Salt is a random value added to passwords before hashing to ensure that identical passwords do not produce the same hash. This practice helps to defend against precomputed attacks, such as rainbow tables. Since salt values must be unique and unpredictable for each password to provide maximum security, using a CSPRNG ensures that these salt values are generated in a way that is not guessable. The other options, while related to cybersecurity, do not accurately reflect the primary function of a CSPRNG. Creating stronger passwords involves more than just randomness; it may include user education and determining password complexity. Encrypting data involves algorithms and keys specifically crafted for that task, not just random number generation. Controlling access involves policies and mechanisms like authentication and authorization that extend beyond mere randomness.