The answer is to implement an ACL restricting Telnet access to only the management subnet. This is the best immediate action because it reduces the attack surface by limiting which source IP addresses can initiate a Telnet session, effectively blocking unauthorized external traffic while still allowing necessary administrative access. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of compensating controls when a secure protocol like SSHv2 cannot be deployed due to operational constraints—a common trap is choosing to upgrade to SSHv1, which is still insecure, or misinterpreting the question as requiring a full protocol replacement. Remember, the key is to mitigate risk, not eliminate it entirely, when budget limitations exist. A useful memory tip is "ACL first, upgrade later"—think of the ACL as a temporary fence around an insecure door until you can afford a stronger lock.
200-201 Security Policies and Procedures Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security policies and procedures. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A company's security policy requires that all network devices be managed using SSHv2. An auditor finds that some older switches are still using Telnet. The network team claims they cannot upgrade due to budget constraints. What is the best immediate action to mitigate risk?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement an ACL to restrict Telnet access to only the management subnet.
Option A is correct because an ACL restricting Telnet to the management subnet reduces exposure. Option B is impractical for remote management. Option C still uses Telnet. Option D uses insecure SSHv1. Option E is unrelated.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Implement an ACL to restrict Telnet access to only the management subnet.
Why this is correct
Compensating control reduces attack surface.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
Use SSHv1 as a compromise.
Why it's wrong here
SSHv1 is also insecure.
✗
Create a VLAN for management and enforce Telnet only on that VLAN.
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-201 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Security Policies and Procedures — This question tests Security Policies and Procedures — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement an ACL to restrict Telnet access to only the management subnet. — Option A is correct because an ACL restricting Telnet to the management subnet reduces exposure. Option B is impractical for remote management. Option C still uses Telnet. Option D uses insecure SSHv1. Option E is unrelated.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-201 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
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?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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