Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
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?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
SSL VPN with client certificate authentication
Client certificates provide strong authentication but do not enforce patch-level compliance or two-factor authentication inherently.
B
Distractor review
IPsec VPN using preshared keys
Preshared keys are a single-factor authentication method and do not support compliance checks. This does not meet policy requirements.
C
Distractor review
NAC integrated with a reverse proxy
NAC can enforce compliance, but a reverse proxy is specific to web applications, not general VPN remote access.
D
Best answer
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.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A network engineer needs to connect two switches located 400 meters apart. The cable run includes high electromagnetic interference from nearby machinery. The engineer decides to use fiber optic cabling. Which transceiver type and fiber combination should be used to ensure the link reaches 400 meters while remaining cost-effective?
Question 2
A network engineer is designing a new switched network and needs to ensure that broadcast traffic from one department does not reach another department's workstations. The engineer plans to use VLANs. Which of the following must be configured on the switches to isolate broadcast domains as intended?
Question 3
A security engineer is configuring a site-to-site VPN between two branch offices. The requirement is to encrypt all traffic between the two networks using IPsec. Which IPsec mode should be used to encrypt the entire IP packet including the original header?
Question 4
A network administrator is connecting two switches to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. Which technology should be used to combine multiple physical links into a single logical link?
Question 5
A network administrator is experiencing issues where unauthorized devices are offering IP addresses to clients, causing connectivity problems. Which security feature should be enabled on switches to prevent this?
Question 6
A network administrator is troubleshooting a connectivity issue and suspects the problem is related to the physical cabling. At which layer of the OSI model should the administrator begin their investigation?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: VPN with RADIUS authentication and posture assessment — RADIUS can be configured to require two-factor authentication (e.g., token + password) and network access control (NAC) solutions can perform posture assessment, checking client patch levels and compliance before granting full access. SSL VPN with client certificate provides strong authentication but not compliance checking. IPsec with preshared keys is weak and lacks posture assessment. NAC integrated with a reverse proxy focuses on web applications, not full VPN access.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
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