easyMultiple Choice
200-201 Practice Question: A security policy mandates that all…
A security policy mandates that all administrative access to network devices must be encrypted. Which of the following protocols should be used to comply with this policy?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that Telnet is acceptable if a password is set, but the trap is that Telnet never encrypts the session, so it fails any policy requiring encryption regardless of authentication.
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
✓
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) encrypts all traffic, including authentication credentials and commands, between an administrator and a network device. This satisfies the policy requirement for encrypted administrative access, unlike Telnet which sends everything in plaintext.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Telnet
Why it's wrong here
Telnet sends every keystroke, including credentials, as cleartext across the network, directly violating the encryption mandate. It is tempting because it does provide remote administrative access to network devices, but SSH is the protocol that encapsulates that same access inside a cryptographic tunnel.
- ✓
SSH
Why this is correct
SSH encrypts the entire session, including authentication credentials and configuration commands, whereas Telnet transmits everything in cleartext. This satisfies the policy's mandate that administrative access to network devices be encrypted, protecting against credential interception and session eavesdropping on the management path.
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TFTP
Why it's wrong here
TFTP transfers files with no encryption, authentication or session confidentiality, so it cannot protect administrative access. It is tempting because it is used to move device configurations and firmware images, but that is bulk file transfer, not an encrypted interactive management channel.
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SNMPv2c
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv2c transmits community strings and management data in cleartext, so it cannot satisfy an encrypted administrative access mandate. It is tempting because SNMP does administer network devices, but it is designed for monitoring and polling rather than encrypted interactive management sessions.
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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.