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200-201 Practice Question: A security policy mandates that all network…
A security policy mandates that all network devices must be hardened. Which THREE of the following are common hardening best practices for routers and switches? (Select three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between secure and insecure protocols, so the trap here is that candidates may mistakenly consider Telnet acceptable for remote management because it is widely used, ignoring that it lacks encryption and violates hardening standards.
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
✓
Implement access control lists (ACLs)
Implementing access control lists (ACLs) on routers and switches is a fundamental hardening practice because ACLs filter traffic based on source/destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols, thereby restricting unauthorized access and mitigating threats like spoofing or reconnaissance. By default, Cisco devices permit all traffic unless explicitly denied, so ACLs enforce the principle of least privilege at the network layer.
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 access control lists (ACLs)
Why this is correct
ACLs restrict traffic to only necessary communications.
- ✓
Disable unused services
Why this is correct
Reduces attack surface by eliminating unnecessary services.
- ✗
Enable Telnet for remote management
Why it's wrong here
Telnet sends data in plaintext; SSH should be used instead.
- ✗
Use default credentials for initial setup
Why it's wrong here
Default credentials are well-known and should be changed immediately.
- ✓
Enable SNMPv3 with strong authentication
Why this is correct
SNMPv3 provides encryption and authentication, unlike earlier versions.
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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.