Snowflake SnowPro Certification Practice Test

Which encryption method is employed by Snowflake for strong security?

1. AES 128 Encryption

2. AES 256 Strong Encryption

3. RSA Encryption

4. SHA-256 Hashing

The correct answer is: AES 256 Strong Encryption

Snowflake employs AES 256 Strong Encryption for securing data, which is recognized as one of the most robust encryption standards available. AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm that uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. The "256" in AES 256 indicates the key length, which provides a significantly higher level of security compared to shorter key lengths, such as 128 bits. This level of encryption ensures that data is protected not just during transfer, but also while at rest, by encrypting files seamlessly and transparently. AES 256 is widely accepted by the security community and complies with numerous regulatory standards, making it suitable for protecting sensitive information. The other methods mentioned have distinct purposes or weaker security. RSA is an asymmetric encryption technique used primarily for securely exchanging keys rather than direct data encryption. SHA-256 is a cryptographic hashing algorithm, not an encryption method, and is used for ensuring data integrity rather than encrypting data. AES 128 encryption, while still secure, does not offer the same level of protection as AES 256, making it less preferable for scenarios requiring high security.