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Quick Answer
The answer is SSH, RBAC, and a warning banner, as these three form the core of device access security best practices. SSH encrypts all traffic, including credentials, to prevent eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks—unlike Telnet, which sends everything in plaintext. Role-based access control (RBAC) limits users to only the commands necessary for their role, reducing the risk of accidental or malicious misconfiguration. A login banner provides a legal warning against unauthorized access, which is essential for prosecution and deters casual intruders. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this topic tests your ability to distinguish secure protocols from insecure ones and to apply layered access controls; a common trap is choosing Telnet because it is still widely deployed in legacy networks. Remember the mnemonic "S-R-B" for Secure Shell, Role-based, Banner—if it doesn't encrypt, limit, or warn, it is not a best practice.
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 of the following are considered best practices for securing device access in a Cisco network? (Choose three.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
Use SSH instead of Telnet for remote management.
SSH encrypts all traffic, including authentication credentials, protecting against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks, whereas Telnet sends everything in plaintext. Role-based access control (RBAC) via privilege levels or AAA limits users to only the commands necessary for their job, reducing the risk of accidental or malicious misconfiguration. A login banner provides legal notice that unauthorized access is prohibited, which is essential for prosecution and deters casual intruders.
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 misconception that 'service password-encryption' is a strong security measure, when in fact it only provides weak obfuscation (Type 7) that can be easily reversed, and the real best practice is to use secret passwords with Type 8/9 hashing.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH uses TCP port 22 and relies on asymmetric cryptography for key exchange and symmetric encryption (e.g., AES) for session data, while Telnet uses TCP port 23 with no encryption. Cisco's AAA framework can integrate with RADIUS (RFC 2865) or TACACS+ (Cisco proprietary) to centralize authentication, authorization, and accounting, allowing per-command authorization. A login banner is configured with the 'banner login' command and should include legal language; Cisco recommends against using words like 'welcome' as they may imply an invitation.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Network Services and Security — study guide chapter
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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: Use SSH instead of Telnet for remote management. — SSH encrypts all traffic, including authentication credentials, protecting against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks, whereas Telnet sends everything in plaintext. Role-based access control (RBAC) via privilege levels or AAA limits users to only the commands necessary for their job, reducing the risk of accidental or malicious misconfiguration. A login banner provides legal notice that unauthorized access is prohibited, which is essential for prosecution and deters casual intruders.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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