The answer is WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS. This combination is the most secure wireless protocol for a hospital with smart cards because EAP-TLS requires mutual certificate-based authentication, meaning both the client (via the smart card) and the server must present valid digital certificates before access is granted, eliminating the risk of rogue access points or credential theft. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of enterprise authentication methods and their security hierarchy; a common trap is choosing WPA2-Personal or WPA3-Personal, which use a shared passphrase and cannot support 802.1X or smart cards. Remember that EAP-TLS is the only EAP method that mandates certificates on both ends, making it the gold standard for environments like healthcare where patient data protection is critical. A helpful memory tip: "TLS means Two-way certificates for the highest security."
220-1202 Wireless Security Protocols Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. 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 network administrator is configuring a new wireless network for a hospital that requires the highest level of security for patient data. The network must support 802.1X authentication with smart cards. Which combination of security protocols and authentication methods should be used?
Why wrong: WPA2-PSK uses a pre-shared key, not 802.1X; PEAP-MSCHAPv2 uses passwords, not smart cards.
B
WPA3-Personal with SAE.
Why wrong: WPA3-Personal is for home/small office; it does not support 802.1X or smart card authentication.
C
WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS.
WPA2-Enterprise supports 802.1X, and EAP-TLS uses certificates for mutual authentication, compatible with smart cards.
D
WPA3-Enterprise with EAP-TTLS.
Why wrong: While WPA3-Enterprise is secure, EAP-TTLS typically uses passwords and is less secure than EAP-TLS; also, the question asks for smart card support, which is best with EAP-TLS.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS.
WPA2-Enterprise (or WPA3-Enterprise) with EAP-TLS provides certificate-based authentication, which can use smart cards. EAP-TLS is considered the most secure because it requires both client and server certificates. This tests knowledge of enterprise authentication methods and their security levels.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
WPA2-PSK with PEAP-MSCHAPv2.
Why it's wrong here
WPA2-PSK uses a pre-shared key, not 802.1X; PEAP-MSCHAPv2 uses passwords, not smart cards.
✗
WPA3-Personal with SAE.
Why it's wrong here
WPA3-Personal is for home/small office; it does not support 802.1X or smart card authentication.
✓
WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS.
Why this is correct
WPA2-Enterprise supports 802.1X, and EAP-TLS uses certificates for mutual authentication, compatible with smart cards.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
WPA3-Enterprise with EAP-TTLS.
Why it's wrong here
While WPA3-Enterprise is secure, EAP-TTLS typically uses passwords and is less secure than EAP-TLS; also, the question asks for smart card support, which is best with EAP-TLS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS. — WPA2-Enterprise (or WPA3-Enterprise) with EAP-TLS provides certificate-based authentication, which can use smart cards. EAP-TLS is considered the most secure because it requires both client and server certificates. This tests knowledge of enterprise authentication methods and their security levels.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
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.
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1202 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.