The answer is a VPN with RADIUS authentication and posture assessment. This combination works because RADIUS acts as a central authentication server that can enforce two-factor authentication, typically by requiring a token or one-time password in addition to standard credentials, while posture assessment verifies that the VPN client meets endpoint compliance requirements—such as having the latest patch levels—before network access is granted. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how security policies are implemented at the network edge, often appearing in questions about remote access and NAC integration. A common trap is to confuse posture assessment with simple antivirus checks or to assume that two-factor authentication alone satisfies the policy; remember that endpoint compliance is a separate, mandatory layer. Memory tip: think “RADIUS for who you are, posture for what your device has.”
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. 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.
An organization's security policy requires that all remote access VPN connections use two-factor authentication and that the VPN clients are compliant with the latest patch levels before gaining network access. Which technology combination provides these capabilities?
Why wrong: Client certificates provide strong authentication but do not enforce patch-level compliance or two-factor authentication inherently.
B
IPsec VPN using preshared keys
Why wrong: Preshared keys are a single-factor authentication method and do not support compliance checks. This does not meet policy requirements.
C
NAC integrated with a reverse proxy
Why wrong: NAC can enforce compliance, but a reverse proxy is specific to web applications, not general VPN remote access.
D
VPN with RADIUS authentication and posture assessment
RADIUS can enforce two-factor authentication (e.g., via OTP) and work with a NAC (posture) server to check client health (patch levels) before allowing full VPN access.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
VPN with RADIUS authentication and posture assessment
Option D is correct because RADIUS authentication can enforce two-factor authentication (e.g., via token or OTP), and posture assessment (often via Network Access Control or a VPN posture plugin) checks the client's patch level before granting network access. This combination directly satisfies the policy requirements for both multi-factor authentication and endpoint compliance verification.
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.
✗
SSL VPN with client certificate authentication
Why it's wrong here
Client certificates provide strong authentication but do not enforce patch-level compliance or two-factor authentication inherently.
✗
IPsec VPN using preshared keys
Why it's wrong here
Preshared keys are a single-factor authentication method and do not support compliance checks. This does not meet policy requirements.
✗
NAC integrated with a reverse proxy
Why it's wrong here
NAC can enforce compliance, but a reverse proxy is specific to web applications, not general VPN remote access.
✓
VPN with RADIUS authentication and posture assessment
Why this is correct
RADIUS can enforce two-factor authentication (e.g., via OTP) and work with a NAC (posture) server to check client health (patch levels) before allowing full VPN access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'two-factor authentication' with simply using a certificate (Option A) or a preshared key (Option B), failing to recognize that posture assessment is a separate, critical requirement that RADIUS combined with a NAC or posture system uniquely fulfills.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RADIUS can integrate with an authentication server (e.g., Microsoft NPS or FreeRADIUS) to enforce two-factor methods like time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) or hardware tokens. Posture assessment typically uses a client-side agent or a network access control (NAC) solution to evaluate the endpoint against a compliance policy (e.g., checking for specific KB patches via Windows Update API or a custom script) before allowing full VPN tunnel establishment. In real-world deployments, this is often implemented with Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client using a posture module that communicates with a Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine) for both authentication and compliance checks.
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 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 N10-009 question in full detail.
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: VPN with RADIUS authentication and posture assessment — Option D is correct because RADIUS authentication can enforce two-factor authentication (e.g., via token or OTP), and posture assessment (often via Network Access Control or a VPN posture plugin) checks the client's patch level before granting network access. This combination directly satisfies the policy requirements for both multi-factor authentication and endpoint compliance verification.
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.
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Question Discussion
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