iSACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certification Practice Exam

Which characteristic makes Elliptical Curve Cryptography notable?

1. It uses more computational power for strong encryption

2. It requires less computational power while increasing security

3. It relies solely on symmetric keys

4. It operates best without any network connectivity

The correct answer is: It requires less computational power while increasing security

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) is notable for its efficiency and security, allowing for strong encryption using smaller key sizes compared to other cryptographic methods like RSA. This characteristic is particularly important because it requires less computational power while maintaining a high level of security. The smaller key sizes in ECC result in faster computations and reduced bandwidth usage for transmitting keys, making it well-suited for environments with limited resources, such as mobile devices and embedded systems. As the demand for secure communication increases, the ability to provide robust security without a heavy computational burden becomes increasingly valuable. In contrast, the other options suggest various limitations or inaccuracies regarding ECC, such as the false notion that it relies solely on symmetric keys or that it operates best without network connectivity. These do not reflect the true capabilities of ECC, which is designed to work effectively in various digital communication settings.