Quick Answer
The answer is TLS, or Transport Layer Security, because it is the specific protocol that operates at the transport layer to encrypt data in transit between a web browser and a web server. While HTTPS is often associated with secure web traffic, it is simply HTTP running over TLS; the actual encryption technology is TLS itself, making it the direct implementation required. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between a security protocol and the application-layer service that uses it—a common trap is confusing HTTPS with the underlying encryption mechanism. Remember that TLS provides the cryptographic handshake and session encryption, while HTTPS is the result of layering HTTP on top of TLS. A useful memory tip: think of TLS as the lock on the door, and HTTPS as the secure room behind it—the lock is the technology you implement.
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 security administrator needs to ensure that data transmitted between a web browser and a web server is encrypted. Which technology should be implemented?
HTTPS
Why wrong: HTTPS is a protocol that uses TLS, but TLS is the underlying encryption technology.
TLS
TLS is the standard protocol for encrypting web traffic, used by HTTPS.
SSH
Why wrong: SSH is for remote shell access, not web traffic encryption.
IPsec
Why wrong: IPsec is used for VPNs, not typically for web browser-server encryption.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
TLS
TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the correct technology because it operates at the transport layer and provides encryption for data in transit between a web browser and a web server. HTTPS is not a separate encryption protocol but rather HTTP over TLS, meaning TLS is the underlying technology that actually performs the encryption. Therefore, the question asks for the technology to implement, and TLS is the direct answer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates see 'HTTPS' and assume it is the encryption technology itself, but Cisco tests the understanding that HTTPS is merely HTTP over TLS, and the actual encryption mechanism is TLS.
Detailed technical explanation
TLS uses a handshake process involving asymmetric cryptography (e.g., RSA or ECDHE) to exchange session keys, then switches to symmetric encryption (e.g., AES-GCM) for bulk data transfer. A subtle behavior is that TLS 1.3 removed support for older, insecure cipher suites and reduced handshake round trips to 1-RTT (or 0-RTT with session resumption), improving performance while maintaining security. In a real-world scenario, a misconfigured server might support TLS 1.0 or weak ciphers, making it vulnerable to attacks like POODLE or BEAST.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Security Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All 200-201 questions
507 questions across all exam domains
Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
200-201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Policies and Procedures.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Concepts.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Security Monitoring.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Host-Based Analysis.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to Network Intrusion Analysis.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 fundamentals.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 scenario.
Practise 200-201 questions linked to 200-201 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: TLS — TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the correct technology because it operates at the transport layer and provides encryption for data in transit between a web browser and a web server. HTTPS is not a separate encryption protocol but rather HTTP over TLS, meaning TLS is the underlying technology that actually performs the encryption. Therefore, the question asks for the technology to implement, and TLS is the direct answer.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.