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200-201 Practice Question: Which TWO of the following are symmetric…
Which TWO of the following are symmetric encryption algorithms? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption, and key exchange protocols, so candidates mistakenly select Diffie-Hellman or ECC as encryption algorithms when they are actually used for key agreement or asymmetric operations.
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
✓
AES
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm, meaning it uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. It is widely adopted due to its strong security and efficiency, with key sizes of 128, 192, or 256 bits. 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard) is also symmetric, applying the DES cipher three times to each data block, effectively increasing key length and security over single DES.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
AES
Why this is correct
AES is a symmetric block cipher.
- ✗
RSA
Why it's wrong here
RSA is an asymmetric algorithm.
- ✗
Diffie-Hellman
Why it's wrong here
Diffie-Hellman is a key exchange protocol, not symmetric encryption.
- ✗
ECC
Why it's wrong here
ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) is asymmetric.
- ✓
3DES
Why this is correct
3DES is a symmetric encryption algorithm.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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