The correct answer is SNMPv3 with the authPriv security level because it is the only SNMP configuration that provides both authentication and encryption, meeting a security policy that mandates strong encryption for both verifying message sources and ensuring data integrity and confidentiality. AuthPriv uses HMAC-SHA or MD5 for authentication to confirm the sender’s identity, and AES or DES for encryption to protect the data payload from eavesdropping and tampering. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this question tests your understanding of SNMPv3’s three security levels—noAuthNoPriv, authNoPriv, and authPriv—and the specific requirements each fulfills. A common trap is confusing authNoPriv (which authenticates but does not encrypt) with authPriv, so remember that “Priv” stands for privacy, meaning encryption is active. A useful memory tip: “authPriv = auth + privacy” — if the policy says “encryption,” you need the “Priv” part.
N10-009 Network Operations Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network operations. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 must monitor network devices using SNMP. The security policy mandates strong encryption for both authentication and data integrity. Which SNMP version and security level should be implemented?
Why wrong: SNMPv1 uses community strings in plaintext and provides no encryption or integrity checks, violating the security policy.
B
SNMPv2c
Why wrong: SNMPv2c also relies on plaintext community strings and lacks encryption, similar to v1.
C
SNMPv3 with noAuthNoPriv
Why wrong: This level offers no authentication or encryption. While it uses SNMPv3 message format, it does not meet the encryption requirement.
D
SNMPv3 with authPriv
Correct. The authPriv security level provides both authentication (HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA) and encryption (DES, 3DES, or AES), fulfilling the requirements.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SNMPv3 with authPriv
SNMPv3 with authPriv is correct because it provides both authentication (to verify the source of messages) and encryption (to ensure data integrity and confidentiality). The security policy mandates strong encryption for both authentication and data integrity, which only the authPriv security level fulfills by using HMAC-SHA/MD5 for authentication and AES/DES for encryption.
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.
✗
SNMPv1
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv1 uses community strings in plaintext and provides no encryption or integrity checks, violating the security policy.
✗
SNMPv2c
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv2c also relies on plaintext community strings and lacks encryption, similar to v1.
✗
SNMPv3 with noAuthNoPriv
Why it's wrong here
This level offers no authentication or encryption. While it uses SNMPv3 message format, it does not meet the encryption requirement.
✓
SNMPv3 with authPriv
Why this is correct
Correct. The authPriv security level provides both authentication (HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA) and encryption (DES, 3DES, or AES), fulfilling the requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that SNMPv3 always provides encryption, but candidates must remember that noAuthNoPriv and authNoPriv are valid security levels that do not meet a 'strong encryption' mandate.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
SNMPv2c also relies on plaintext community strings and lacks encryption, similar to v1.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SNMPv3 defines three security levels: noAuthNoPriv (no authentication, no encryption), authNoPriv (authentication but no encryption), and authPriv (authentication and encryption). The authPriv level uses the User-based Security Model (USM) with HMAC-SHA-2 for authentication and AES-128/192/256 or DES for privacy (encryption), as specified in RFC 3414 and RFC 3826. In real-world deployments, authPriv is required for compliance with standards like PCI DSS or HIPAA when monitoring sensitive network infrastructure.
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 N10-009 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this N10-009 question in full detail.
Network Operations — This question tests Network Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SNMPv3 with authPriv — SNMPv3 with authPriv is correct because it provides both authentication (to verify the source of messages) and encryption (to ensure data integrity and confidentiality). The security policy mandates strong encryption for both authentication and data integrity, which only the authPriv security level fulfills by using HMAC-SHA/MD5 for authentication and AES/DES for encryption.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 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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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A network administrator needs to monitor network devices using SNMP. The security policy requires that both authentication and data encryption must be enforced for all SNMP operations. Which SNMPv3 security level should be configured?
medium
✓ A.authPriv
B.noAuthNoPriv
C.authNoPriv
D.noAuthPriv
Why A: The authPriv security level is correct because it enforces both authentication (via HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA) and data encryption (via DES or AES) for SNMPv3 operations, satisfying the security policy requirement. SNMPv3 defines three security levels: noAuthNoPriv, authNoPriv, and authPriv, with authPriv being the only one that provides both authentication and encryption.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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This N10-009 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 N10-009 exam.
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