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Quick Answer
The answer is to use the 'enable secret' command to set a privileged EXEC password, which is one of three valid methods to secure administrative access on a Cisco IOS device. This command stores the password using a strong MD5 hash, protecting privileged EXEC mode from unauthorized configuration changes, unlike the weaker 'enable password' command. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this topic tests your understanding of layered access control, often paired with creating local usernames using 'username name secret password' for authentication and applying an ACL on VTY lines to restrict source IP addresses for remote sessions. A common trap is confusing 'service password-encryption' with securing access—it only encrypts passwords in the config file, not in transit, and does not prevent login. To remember the three valid methods, think of the mnemonic "EAL": Enable secret, Authentication (local username), and ACL on lines.
CCNA Network Services and Security Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network services and security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which three options are valid ways to secure administrative access to a Cisco IOS device? (Choose three.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a local username and password with the 'username name secret password' command.
All three correct options are valid methods to secure administrative access. Creating a local username/password with the 'username name secret password' command provides authentication for login (e.g., via SSH, console, or VTY). Configuring an ACL on VTY lines restricts which source IP addresses can initiate administrative sessions, adding a layer of network-based access control. Using 'enable secret' protects privileged EXEC mode with a strong hashed password. The three wrong options do not directly secure administrative access: 'shutdown' disables ports (port security, not administrative access), 'service password-encryption' only encrypts passwords in the running configuration (not in transit), and CDP is a neighbor discovery protocol unrelated to authentication.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'enable secret' (hashed) and 'enable password' (weak encryption), and candidates may mistakenly think only one method is valid, but all three options here are correct and commonly used together for layered security.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'enable secret' command uses a Type 5 (MD5) or Type 8/9 (SHA-256) hash, unlike the older 'enable password' which stores in plaintext or weak Type 7 encryption. ACLs on VTY lines filter inbound Telnet/SSH traffic at Layer 3, typically applied with 'access-class' in line configuration mode. Local username authentication leverages the 'login local' command on VTY lines, which checks against the local database rather than a remote AAA server.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Services and Security — This question tests Network Services and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a local username and password with the 'username name secret password' command. — All three correct options are valid methods to secure administrative access. Creating a local username/password with the 'username name secret password' command provides authentication for login (e.g., via SSH, console, or VTY). Configuring an ACL on VTY lines restricts which source IP addresses can initiate administrative sessions, adding a layer of network-based access control. Using 'enable secret' protects privileged EXEC mode with a strong hashed password. The three wrong options do not directly secure administrative access: 'shutdown' disables ports (port security, not administrative access), 'service password-encryption' only encrypts passwords in the running configuration (not in transit), and CDP is a neighbor discovery protocol unrelated to authentication.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.
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