- A
Telnet on port 23
Why wrong: Telnet is not secure; it sends data in cleartext.
- B
SSH on port 22
SSH provides encrypted remote administration.
- C
RDP on port 3389
Why wrong: RDP is used for remote desktop, not primarily for network device administration.
- D
HTTP on port 80
Why wrong: HTTP is unencrypted and not used for secure administration.
Question 910 of 1,000
200-201 Security Monitoring Practice Question
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of security monitoring. 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.
Which protocol and port combination is commonly used for secure remote administration of network devices?
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 on port 22
SSH (Secure Shell) on port 22 is the correct answer because it provides encrypted, authenticated remote administration of network devices, replacing insecure protocols like Telnet. SSH uses public-key cryptography to establish a secure channel over an unsecured network, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of management traffic. This is the standard for secure CLI-based device management in enterprise environments.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Telnet on port 23
Why it's wrong here
Telnet is not secure; it sends data in cleartext.
- ✓
SSH on port 22
Why this is correct
SSH provides encrypted remote administration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
RDP on port 3389
Why it's wrong here
RDP is used for remote desktop, not primarily for network device administration.
- ✗
HTTP on port 80
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is unencrypted and not used for secure administration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between Telnet and SSH, where candidates mistakenly choose Telnet because it is historically common for device management, forgetting that the question explicitly asks for 'secure' remote administration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH operates over TCP and uses a client-server model where the server hosts the SSH daemon (sshd). During connection setup, the client verifies the server's host key fingerprint to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, then negotiates encryption algorithms (e.g., AES, ChaCha20) and key exchange methods (e.g., Diffie-Hellman). In real-world scenarios, SSH is also used for secure file transfer via SFTP or SCP, and for tunneling other protocols (port forwarding) to encrypt legacy services.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Quick reference
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Exchange | Signatures | Equivalent Security Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA-3072 | Yes | Yes | 128-bit | Widely deployed; slow for bulk data |
| ECDSA P-256 | No | Yes | 128-bit | Fast signatures; standard TLS certs |
| ECDH / ECDHE | Yes | No | 128-bit | Perfect forward secrecy in TLS 1.3 |
| DH / DHE | Yes | No | 128-bit (3072-bit key) | Replaced by ECDHE in modern TLS |
| Ed25519 | No | Yes | ~128-bit | SSH keys, modern PKI |
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-201 question test?
Security Monitoring — This question tests Security Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SSH on port 22 — SSH (Secure Shell) on port 22 is the correct answer because it provides encrypted, authenticated remote administration of network devices, replacing insecure protocols like Telnet. SSH uses public-key cryptography to establish a secure channel over an unsecured network, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of management traffic. This is the standard for secure CLI-based device management in enterprise environments.
What should I do if I get this 200-201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
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