Question 1mediummulti select
Full question →mediummulti selectObjective-mapped
Which two statements accurately describe good management-plane security practice on network devices?
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
Use secure management protocols such as SSH instead of less secure remote-access methods.
This is correct because encrypted management access is a core best practice.
B
Best answer
Restrict management access to trusted source networks where possible.
This is correct because source limitation reduces exposure.
C
Distractor review
Prefer shared generic admin accounts for convenience.
This is wrong because shared accounts weaken traceability and accountability.
D
Distractor review
Disable all logging to reduce device workload.
This is wrong because logging supports visibility and accountability.
E
Distractor review
Rely only on SSID names to protect router management.
This is wrong because SSIDs are unrelated to router management-plane security.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is selecting only one security measure, such as using SSH, and ignoring the importance of restricting management access sources. Candidates might assume that encrypted protocols alone provide complete security, but without source filtering, attackers can still attempt unauthorized connections. Another trap is choosing options that suggest disabling logging or using shared admin accounts, which weaken security by reducing accountability and visibility. The exam tests understanding that management-plane security is multi-layered, requiring both secure protocols and access restrictions to effectively protect network devices.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Management-plane security on Cisco network devices focuses on protecting the interfaces and protocols used for device administration, such as SSH, Telnet, SNMP, and HTTP/HTTPS. The management plane handles control traffic destined to the device itself, so securing it prevents unauthorized access and potential device compromise. Using secure protocols like SSH encrypts management traffic, preventing eavesdropping and credential theft compared to legacy protocols like Telnet, which transmit data in clear text. A layered security approach is essential for management-plane protection. First, secure protocols such as SSH should be enforced to ensure encrypted sessions. Second, restricting management access to trusted source IP addresses or networks using access control lists (ACLs) limits exposure to only authorized administrators. Third, disabling insecure or unnecessary services reduces attack surface. Finally, logging administrative access and changes supports accountability and troubleshooting. Cisco IOS and IOS XE devices support these features through configuration commands like 'ip access-list', 'line vty', and 'logging'. A common exam trap is assuming that using SSH alone is sufficient for management-plane security. While SSH encrypts traffic, if management access is allowed from any source, attackers can still attempt brute force or exploit vulnerabilities. Conversely, relying solely on source restrictions without encryption exposes credentials to interception. Practical Cisco network security requires combining secure protocols with source filtering and logging. This layered approach aligns with Cisco’s best practices and the CCNA exam’s emphasis on defense-in-depth for device management.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Secure management protocols like SSH encrypt administrative traffic to prevent credential interception and unauthorized access.
- Restricting management access to trusted source networks using ACLs reduces the attack surface and limits exposure to authorized administrators only.
- Shared generic administrative accounts weaken traceability and accountability, making it harder to audit changes and identify responsible users.
- Disabling logging removes visibility into management activities, hindering troubleshooting and security incident investigations.
- SSID names are unrelated to router management-plane security because they only control wireless network identification, not device access.
- Cisco devices use line configuration commands to specify which protocols and source IPs can access management interfaces.
- Management-plane security requires a layered approach combining secure protocols, source restrictions, and logging for effective protection.
- Using insecure remote-access methods like Telnet exposes management credentials in clear text, increasing risk of compromise.
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.
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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?
Secure management protocols like SSH encrypt administrative traffic to prevent credential interception and unauthorized access.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use secure management protocols such as SSH instead of less secure remote-access methods. — Good management-plane security combines multiple layers of control. In practical terms, using secure protocols such as SSH is important, but so is restricting which sources may connect, controlling who is authorized, and maintaining visibility into administrative activity. Strong management security is not usually one setting by itself. This is a layered-control question rather than a single-technology question.
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
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