Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A device administrator can log in securely over SSH, but the organization still insists on restricting source IP ranges and keeping detailed logs. Which statement best explains that decision?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Because secure transport alone does not remove the need for source restriction and accountability controls.
This is correct because layered controls address different management-plane risks.
B
Distractor review
Because SSH is less secure than Telnet and must be compensated for.
This is wrong because SSH is generally the more secure protocol.
C
Distractor review
Because logs automatically enforce ACL policy.
This is wrong because logs provide visibility rather than directly enforcing policy.
D
Distractor review
Because source IP restriction replaces the need for authentication.
This is wrong because source filtering and identity verification solve different problems.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is to believe that using SSH alone fully secures remote device access, leading to the mistaken idea that source IP restrictions and logging are redundant. This overlooks that SSH only encrypts the session and authenticates users but does not limit which hosts can connect or provide audit trails. Ignoring source IP filtering increases exposure to brute-force or credential compromise attacks from unauthorized IPs. Similarly, neglecting logging removes visibility into who accessed the device and when, hindering incident response. The trap is confusing transport security with comprehensive access control and accountability.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
SSH (Secure Shell) is a cryptographic network protocol that provides secure encrypted communication for remote device management. It replaces insecure protocols like Telnet by encrypting the session, protecting credentials and commands from interception. However, SSH only secures the transport layer and authenticates users; it does not inherently restrict which source IP addresses can connect to the device. Network administrators implement source IP restrictions using ACLs (Access Control Lists) to limit management access to trusted IP ranges. This reduces the attack surface by preventing unauthorized hosts from even attempting to establish SSH sessions. Additionally, detailed logging of management access records user activity, which supports accountability and forensic investigations. These layered controls complement SSH by addressing different security domains: transport security, access control, and auditing. A common exam trap is assuming that SSH alone is sufficient for secure device management. While SSH protects session confidentiality and integrity, it does not replace the need for source IP filtering or logging. In practice, attackers may still attempt unauthorized access from allowed IP ranges or exploit compromised credentials. Therefore, combining SSH with ACLs and logging provides a robust defense-in-depth strategy that aligns with Cisco’s best practices for securing network devices.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SSH provides encrypted management-plane access but does not replace the need for source IP restrictions to limit potential attack vectors.
- Source IP filtering via ACLs restricts which devices can initiate management sessions, reducing exposure to unauthorized access attempts.
- Logging records administrative access events, enabling accountability and forensic analysis in case of security incidents.
- Layered security controls work together to protect network devices by addressing different aspects of risk and attack surfaces.
- Secure transport protocols like SSH protect data confidentiality and integrity during remote management sessions.
- Source IP restrictions and authentication solve different security problems and must be implemented in combination for effective device protection.
- Logging does not enforce access control policies but provides visibility and audit trails for network administrators.
- Defense in depth is a core security principle that requires multiple complementary controls rather than relying on a single mechanism.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
CCNA DHCP practice questions
Practise DHCP scopes, relay, leases and troubleshooting.
CCNA show ip route practice questions
Practise routing-table output, longest-prefix match, AD and route selection.
CCNA show interfaces trunk practice questions
Practise trunk verification and VLAN forwarding across switches.
CCNA wireless security practice questions
Practise WLAN security, authentication and wireless architecture concepts.
CCNA IPv6 practice questions
Practise IPv6 addressing, routes, neighbour discovery and common IPv6 exam traps.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
SSH provides encrypted management-plane access but does not replace the need for source IP restrictions to limit potential attack vectors.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Because secure transport alone does not remove the need for source restriction and accountability controls. — The decision reflects defense in depth. In practical terms, SSH protects the session itself, but that does not eliminate the value of source restriction and activity visibility. Restricting where connections may come from reduces exposure, and logging helps with accountability and investigations. The controls work together rather than replacing one another. This is an advanced reasoning question built around layered management-plane security.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
Loading comments…
Sign in to join the discussion.