Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Cybersecurity Practice Test

What distinguishes digital signatures from public key encryption?

1. Digital signatures prevent unauthorized access

2. Public key encryption allows for data verification

3. Digital signatures ensure non-repudiation

4. Both are the same in function

The correct answer is: Digital signatures ensure non-repudiation

Digital signatures ensure non-repudiation by providing a way to confirm the origin and integrity of a message or document. When a sender signs a document with their private key, the signature is unique to both the document and the key. This process ensures that the sender cannot later deny having sent the document, as the signature can only be generated by their private key, which is securely held and not shared with anyone else. This capability is crucial in transactions where proof of authorship and commitment to the content is necessary, such as contracts or legal agreements. Non-repudiation is an essential aspect of security, as it protects against disputes about the authenticity of the signature or the content of the communication. The other options do not accurately distinguish the core function of digital signatures. For instance, while public key encryption is indeed associated with data confidentiality and allows for secure communication between parties, it does not by itself provide the guarantee of non-repudiation. Similarly, digital signatures do not primarily serve the purpose of preventing unauthorized access, as that is a function more aligned with encryption. Lastly, while digital signatures and public key encryption utilize similar cryptographic principles, they serve different purposes in security, thus they are not the same in function.