The answer is RADIUS, as it is the required authentication server protocol for WPA3-Enterprise. WPA3-Enterprise relies on the 802.1X/EAP framework, where the access point acts as an authenticator that forwards authentication traffic to a backend RADIUS server; this server validates each user’s credentials individually and enforces the mandatory 192-bit security suite. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this question tests your understanding that while WPA3-Enterprise supports multiple EAP methods, RADIUS is the non-negotiable backend protocol that makes 802.1X work—a common trap is confusing the EAP method (like EAP-TLS) with the server protocol itself. Remember that RADIUS is the gatekeeper: it handles the exchange of EAP frames and enforces per-user authentication, so without it, the entire 802.1X chain fails. A helpful memory tip is to think “RADIUS runs the show for Enterprise Wi-Fi”—if you see “Enterprise” in the security mode, RADIUS is always behind it.
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 security administrator is configuring a wireless network to use WPA3-Enterprise. Which authentication server protocol is required for WPA3-Enterprise?
Correct. WPA3-Enterprise uses 802.1X for authentication, which requires a RADIUS server to authenticate users against a database.
B
LDAP
Why wrong: LDAP is a directory service protocol often used to store user credentials, but it is not directly used for 802.1X authentication; RADIUS can query LDAP.
C
TACACS+
Why wrong: TACACS+ is a Cisco-proprietary AAA protocol often used for device administration, not typically for wireless 802.1X authentication.
D
Kerberos
Why wrong: Kerberos is used in Windows domains for authentication, but not directly for 802.1X wireless; RADIUS is the standard.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
RADIUS
WPA3-Enterprise requires 802.1X/EAP authentication, which uses RADIUS as the backend authentication server protocol. RADIUS handles the exchange of EAP frames between the authenticator (access point) and the authentication server, enforcing per-user credentials and supporting the mandatory 192-bit security suite for WPA3-Enterprise. Without RADIUS, the 802.1X framework cannot operate, making it the only required protocol for this deployment.
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.
✓
RADIUS
Why this is correct
Correct. WPA3-Enterprise uses 802.1X for authentication, which requires a RADIUS server to authenticate users against a database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
LDAP
Why it's wrong here
LDAP is a directory service protocol often used to store user credentials, but it is not directly used for 802.1X authentication; RADIUS can query LDAP.
✗
TACACS+
Why it's wrong here
TACACS+ is a Cisco-proprietary AAA protocol often used for device administration, not typically for wireless 802.1X authentication.
✗
Kerberos
Why it's wrong here
Kerberos is used in Windows domains for authentication, but not directly for 802.1X wireless; RADIUS is the standard.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse TACACS+ with RADIUS because both are AAA protocols, but TACACS+ is used for device administration (e.g., router login) while RADIUS is the only protocol that supports 802.1X/EAP for wireless network access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, WPA3-Enterprise mandates the use of EAP-pwd or EAP-TLS with a RADIUS server that supports the 802.1X standard (RFC 2865/2866). The RADIUS server acts as the authentication server in the 802.1X framework, relaying EAP messages between the supplicant (client) and the authenticator (AP). A common real-world scenario is that the RADIUS server must also be configured with the correct EAP method and certificate chain to enforce the 192-bit security suite, as WPA3-Enterprise requires at least EAP-TLS with strong ciphers.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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: RADIUS — WPA3-Enterprise requires 802.1X/EAP authentication, which uses RADIUS as the backend authentication server protocol. RADIUS handles the exchange of EAP frames between the authenticator (access point) and the authentication server, enforcing per-user credentials and supporting the mandatory 192-bit security suite for WPA3-Enterprise. Without RADIUS, the 802.1X framework cannot operate, making it the only required protocol for this deployment.
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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