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A Level Computer Science 9618, topic 17

Security: past paper questions

15 Cambridge A Level Computer Science 9618 questions on Security (17) from 15 papers, 2023 to 2026. Open the paper or try a question free.

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Questions
15
Papers
15
Years
2023 to 2026
Total marks
76
Average per question
5.1 marks
Largest question
7 marks

By type: Structured 15

How hard the questions are

  • Recall1
  • Apply7
  • Analyse7
  • Not banded0

Derived from the command word Cambridge prints in each question, banded by a fixed table beside the syllabus's own definitions. A question printing no command word is unbanded: unknown, not middling.

Command words

  • describeApply7 questions

    state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

  • explainAnalyse7 questions

    set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things clear / say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence

  • identifyRecall5 questions

    name/select/recognise

  • outlineApply4 questions

    set out the main points

  • defineRecall1 question

    give precise meaning

  • stateRecall1 question

    express in clear terms

  • useApply1 question

Where the questions come from

By year

  • 20263
  • 20256
  • 20243
  • 20233

By session

  • May/June12
  • Oct/Nov3

By paper

  • Paper 315

Questions on this topic

Showing 13 of 15, spread across the years. Open one to write your answer and have it marked.

  • Question 8May/June 2026, paper 31Structured6 marks

    Define the following asymmetric key encryption terms: cipher text

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  • Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured5 marks

    Identify two items commonly found within a digital certificate.

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  • Question 7May/June 2024, paper 31Structured5 marks

    Describe what is meant by a digital certificate.

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  • Question 9May/June 2023, paper 31Structured6 marks

    Encryption is used to alter data into a form that makes it meaningless if intercepted. Describe the purpose of asymmetric key cryptography.

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  • Question 8May/June 2026, paper 32Structured7 marks

    Describe the differences between symmetric key and asymmetric key cryptography.

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  • Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 32Structured5 marks

    Asymmetric encryption is a type of cryptography. Identify one other type of cryptography.

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  • Question 4May/June 2024, paper 32Structured4 marks

    Sheila has a customer called Fred. Fred wants to send Sheila a confidential document as part of a transaction. Explain how Fred uses asymmetric encryption to send his document securely.

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  • Question 5May/June 2023, paper 32Structured5 marks

    Encryption is used to scramble data to make it meaningless if intercepted. Describe the purpose of quantum cryptography.

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  • Question 8May/June 2026, paper 33Structured6 marks

    Describe the purpose of quantum cryptography.

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  • Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured4 marks

    A company requires a digital certificate to ensure the authenticity of its online communications. Outline the process followed to acquire a digital certificate. A company requires a digital certificate to ensure the authenticity of its online communications.

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  • Question 9May/June 2025, paper 31Structured4 marks

    Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are two protocols. State two functions of SSL/TLS.

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  • Question 10May/June 2025, paper 32Structured4 marks

    Identify the two main protocols that form Transport Layer Security (TLS) and state the purpose of each.

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  • Question 7May/June 2025, paper 33Structured4 marks

    Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are two protocols. Explain how SSL/TLS is used when client-server communication is initiated.

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