CFA Covert Communication Devices 2

Question 1

Which transmission technique reduces interception risk by sending data in a compressed high-speed burst rather than a continuous signal?

Accepted Answer

Burst transmission

Answer

Burst transmission compresses a message and sends it in a very short pulse, minimizing the window during which the signal can be detected or traced.

Question 2

A field agent needs to communicate in a hostile environment where radio signals are monitored. What is the PRIMARY advantage of frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)?

Accepted Answer

Resistance to jamming and interception

Answer

FHSS rapidly switches carrier frequencies in a pattern known only to sender and receiver, making interception and jamming extremely difficult.

Question 3

What is a 'dead drop' in the context of covert communications?

Accepted Answer

A physical or virtual location where materials are left for another party without direct contact

Answer

A dead drop allows two parties to exchange information or materials without ever meeting, reducing the risk of both being observed together.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes steganography as used in covert field communications?

Accepted Answer

Hiding a message within an ordinary-looking carrier file such as an image

Answer

Steganography conceals the existence of a message by embedding it inside innocent-looking media, unlike encryption which hides only the content.

Question 5

An agent discovers their encrypted communication device has been confiscated by a hostile actor. What security feature is MOST critical to prevent exploitation?

Accepted Answer

Remote wipe or tamper-triggered data destruction

Answer

Remote wipe or tamper-triggered destruction ensures that captured devices cannot be exploited for intelligence or to compromise the network.

CFA Practice Test

CFA Practice Test

CFA Covert Communication Devices 2