CISSP Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

The MD5 hashing process is best described as producing a 128-bit message digest. MD5, which stands for Message-Digest Algorithm 5, is a widely used cryptographic hash function that takes input data of any size and generates a fixed-length output, in this case, a 128-bit hash value. This output, commonly referred to as a message digest, serves as a unique representation of the original data. The primary purpose of this process is to verify data integrity, allowing one to check if the original data has been altered by comparing the hash values.

While other options mention relevant concepts in information security, they do not accurately describe the specific nature of the MD5 function. Creating a secure key for encryption pertains to encryption methods, which is distinctly different from hashing. Compiling data for backup is a broader data management task that does not necessarily involve hashing. Finally, converting plaintext to ciphertext pertains to encryption processes, where data is transformed to protect its confidentiality, unlike hashing, which is focused on integrity without the use of a key.