N10-009 Network Implementation Practice Question

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

• ✗

  WPA3-SAE

  Why it's wrong here

  While WPA3-SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) significantly enhances security over WPA2-PSK by protecting against offline dictionary attacks, it operates using a single pre-shared key for all clients. This fundamental design means it functions as a Personal mode, lacking the centralized, per-user authentication and authorization capabilities provided by a RADIUS server. Consequently, it is unsuitable for enterprise-grade deployments requiring individual user accountability and granular access control.

  When this WOULD be correct

  If the question asked for the highest security standard for a small office/home office (SOHO) network without a RADIUS server, or for a network using only a pre-shared key, WPA3-SAE would be the correct answer.

• ✓

  802.1X/EAP

  Why this is correct

  802.1X/EAP is the industry standard for enterprise wireless security, leveraging a RADIUS server for centralized authentication and authorization. This architecture enables robust per-user access control and dynamic key management, supporting various EAP methods like PEAP or EAP-TLS. It provides strong, individualized encryption keys and accountability, which is crucial for securing employee devices in a corporate environment demanding the highest security.

• ✗

  WPA2-PSK

  Why it's wrong here

  WPA2-PSK relies on a single, static pre-shared key for all wireless clients, which, if compromised, grants unauthorized access to the entire network segment. This method inherently lacks individual user accountability and the dynamic key generation provided by 802.1X/EAP. It is inadequate for securing employee devices in an environment demanding high security, centralized management, and granular access control, making it a less secure option for enterprises.

  When this WOULD be correct

  In a small office/home office (SOHO) scenario where no RADIUS server is available and ease of setup is prioritized over highest security, WPA2-PSK would be the correct choice.

• ✗

  WEP with RADIUS

  Why it's wrong here

  WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is an obsolete encryption protocol with severe cryptographic vulnerabilities, including a small Initialization Vector (IV) and weak key scheduling, making it easily crackable. Even when combined with a RADIUS server for authentication, WEP's fundamental encryption flaws expose all transmitted data to interception and decryption. This renders it completely unsuitable for any secure network, regardless of the authentication backend, and certainly not for deploying the highest security for employee devices.

  When this WOULD be correct

  If the question asked for a legacy authentication method that uses a RADIUS server for key distribution in a WEP-based network, then 'WEP with RADIUS' could be correct, though it would still be insecure.

Option-by-option analysis

Why each answer is right or wrong

Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.

Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”

Go deeper

Related to this question