hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-201 Practice Question: A company's security policy requires that all…
A company's security policy requires that all remote access connections be authenticated using a certificate. Which type of control is this?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between preventive and deterrent controls, where candidates mistakenly choose deterrent because they think a certificate requirement 'discourages' attackers, but the correct classification is preventive because it technically enforces authentication and blocks access without it.
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
✓
Preventive
Requiring a certificate for remote access authentication enforces a specific identity verification method before granting access. This is a preventive control because it stops unauthorized connections from being established by ensuring only devices with a valid certificate can initiate the session, directly blocking access before any data exchange occurs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Corrective
Why it's wrong here
Corrective controls remediate incidents.
- ✓
Preventive
Why this is correct
Preventive controls block unauthorized access, as does certificate authentication.
- ✗
Detective
Why it's wrong here
Detective controls discover attacks.
- ✗
Deterrent
Why it's wrong here
Deterrent controls discourage but do not prevent.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 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 200-201 exam.