Quick Answer
The answer is SNMPv3, the only version that provides both encryption and authentication for network monitoring traffic. SNMPv3 achieves this through its security model, which includes the AuthPriv security level for encryption (using protocols like AES or DES) and the AuthNoPriv or AuthPriv levels for data origin authentication via hashing algorithms such as SHA or MD5. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how SNMPv3’s security features directly address requirements for confidentiality and integrity, often appearing in scenario-based questions where an administrator needs to secure management data. A common trap is confusing SNMPv2c’s community strings with real security—v2c only offers plaintext authentication, not encryption. To remember, think of SNMPv3 as the “triple-A” version: Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting, with the key mnemonic “AuthPriv = Authenticate and Privately encrypt.”
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network operations. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 wants to ensure that SNMP traffic between the network monitoring server and managed devices is encrypted and provides authentication of the data origin. Which version of SNMP should be implemented?
A: SNMPv1
Why wrong: SNMPv1 sends community strings in plaintext and has no encryption or authentication of data origin.
B: SNMPv2c
Why wrong: SNMPv2c also uses plaintext community strings and lacks security features.
C: SNMPv3
SNMPv3 provides both authentication and encryption, meeting the requirements.
D: SNMPv2
Why wrong: There is no standard SNMPv2; SNMPv2c is the common version. It lacks security.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
C: SNMPv3
SNMPv3 is the correct choice because it provides both encryption (via the AuthPriv security level) and data origin authentication (via the AuthNoPriv or AuthPriv levels). Unlike earlier versions, SNMPv3 includes a security model that ensures confidentiality, integrity, and authentication, meeting the administrator's requirements.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
A: SNMPv1
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv1 sends community strings in plaintext and has no encryption or authentication of data origin.
B: SNMPv2c
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv2c also uses plaintext community strings and lacks security features.
C: SNMPv3
Why this is correct
SNMPv3 provides both authentication and encryption, meeting the requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
D: SNMPv2
Why it's wrong here
There is no standard SNMPv2; SNMPv2c is the common version. It lacks security.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse SNMPv2c's improved efficiency and bulk retrieval (e.g., GetBulk) with security enhancements, but SNMPv2c still lacks encryption and authentication, making SNMPv3 the only viable option for secure SNMP traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
SNMPv3 defines three security levels: noAuthNoPriv (no authentication or encryption), authNoPriv (HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA authentication but no encryption), and authPriv (authentication plus encryption using DES or AES). The authentication process uses a shared secret key and a message digest to verify the origin, while encryption is applied to the payload using a symmetric cipher. In real-world deployments, SNMPv3 is often used with USM (User-based Security Model) to manage users and keys, and it is defined in RFC 3410-3418.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Network Operations — This question tests Network Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: C: SNMPv3 — SNMPv3 is the correct choice because it provides both encryption (via the AuthPriv security level) and data origin authentication (via the AuthNoPriv or AuthPriv levels). Unlike earlier versions, SNMPv3 includes a security model that ensures confidentiality, integrity, and authentication, meeting the administrator's requirements.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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 has configured SNMPv3 on a router to send traps to a central management server. The administrator notices that no traps are being received. The management server is reachable via ping from the router. Which configuration step is most likely missing?
mediumWhy C: SNMPv3 requires authentication and encryption (privacy) to be configured on both the router and the management server. Without matching credentials, the server will reject or ignore the traps, even if the network path is reachable. This is the most likely missing step because SNMPv3 does not use community strings and relies on security models (authNoPriv, authPriv, or noAuthNoPriv) that must be consistent between endpoints.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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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