The correct combination is WPA3 with AES encryption and MAC address filtering. This works because WPA3 with AES provides the strongest available encryption for wireless data, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of transmitted information, while MAC address filtering acts as an access control list to restrict network association to only pre-approved devices. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of layered security—encryption protects data in transit, and filtering restricts physical access—and a common trap is choosing WEP or WPA-TKIP, which are deprecated and insecure. Remember that WPA3 is the current standard, AES is the mandatory cipher, and MAC filtering is an additional, not primary, control. A useful memory tip: "WPA3 + AES = encryption; MAC filter = who gets in."
220-1102 Logical Security Concepts Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of logical 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 technician is setting up a new wireless network for a small office. They want to ensure that only company-issued devices can connect, and that data transmitted over the air is encrypted. Which combination of settings should they use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
WPA3 with AES encryption and MAC address filtering.
WPA2 or WPA3 with AES encryption provides strong wireless security. MAC address filtering can be added as an extra layer to restrict which devices can associate. This combination meets both requirements of encryption and device restriction.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 with TKIP encryption and SSID broadcast disabled.
Why it's wrong here
TKIP is outdated and insecure; hiding SSID does not prevent determined attackers from discovering the network.
✓
WPA3 with AES encryption and MAC address filtering.
Why this is correct
WPA3 with AES provides strong encryption, and MAC filtering restricts access to approved devices.
WEP is easily cracked and provides inadequate security regardless of key length.
✗
Open network with a captive portal requiring employee login.
Why it's wrong here
Open networks have no encryption; a captive portal only authenticates users but data is transmitted in plaintext.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1202 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Logical Security Concepts — This question tests Logical Security Concepts — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: WPA3 with AES encryption and MAC address filtering. — WPA2 or WPA3 with AES encryption provides strong wireless security. MAC address filtering can be added as an extra layer to restrict which devices can associate. This combination meets both requirements of encryption and device restriction.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1202 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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