- A
WPA2-PSK
Why wrong: WPA2-PSK uses a pre-shared key and does not use a RADIUS server; it is less secure and not enterprise-grade.
- B
WPA3-SAE
Why wrong: WPA3-SAE is designed for personal networks and does not typically integrate with a RADIUS server for authentication.
- C
802.1X with EAP-TLS
EAP-TLS provides mutual authentication using certificates on both client and server, offering the highest level of security for enterprise wireless.
- D
802.1X with PEAP
Why wrong: PEAP uses a server certificate and client passwords; it is secure but less robust than EAP-TLS because it does not require client certificates.
Question 385 of 520
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. 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 company wants to deploy a wireless network with the highest level of security for client authentication. The network will use a RADIUS server. Which authentication method should be used?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
802.1X with EAP-TLS
Option C is correct because 802.1X with EAP-TLS provides certificate-based mutual authentication, eliminating the risk of credential theft or dictionary attacks. This is the strongest authentication method for enterprise wireless networks, as it requires both the client and the RADIUS server to present valid X.509 certificates, ensuring a cryptographically verified identity on both sides.
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.
- ✗
WPA2-PSK
- ✗
WPA3-SAE
Why it's wrong here
WPA3-SAE is designed for personal networks and does not typically integrate with a RADIUS server for authentication.
When this WOULD be correct
A company wants to deploy a wireless network with the highest level of security for client authentication but does not have a RADIUS server and prefers a password-based method.
- ✓
802.1X with EAP-TLS
Why this is correct
EAP-TLS provides mutual authentication using certificates on both client and server, offering the highest level of security for enterprise wireless.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
802.1X with PEAP
Why it's wrong here
PEAP uses a server certificate and client passwords; it is secure but less robust than EAP-TLS because it does not require client certificates.
When this WOULD be correct
A company wants to deploy a wireless network with strong security but without the complexity of managing client certificates. The network uses a RADIUS server and requires user password-based authentication with server-side certificate validation.
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.
✓802.1X with EAP-TLSCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
EAP-TLS provides mutual authentication using certificates on both client and server, offering the highest level of security for enterprise wireless.
✗WPA2-PSKWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
WPA2-PSK uses a pre-shared key for authentication, not a RADIUS server, so it does not meet the requirement for the highest level of security with RADIUS-based client authentication.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a small office or home network where simplicity is key and no RADIUS server is available, WPA2-PSK would be the correct choice for securing the wireless network.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be familiar with WPA2-PSK as a common security method and overlook the specific requirement for RADIUS server integration and highest security.
✗WPA3-SAEWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
WPA3-SAE is a personal authentication method that does not use a RADIUS server; it relies on a pre-shared key (PSK) for client authentication, not 802.1X or EAP.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A company wants to deploy a wireless network with the highest level of security for client authentication but does not have a RADIUS server and prefers a password-based method.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse WPA3-SAE as the highest security standard overall, overlooking that the question specifies RADIUS server usage, which requires enterprise authentication like 802.1X.
✗802.1X with PEAPWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PEAP uses a server-side certificate only, not requiring client certificates, which provides lower security than EAP-TLS. The question specifies the highest level of security, so EAP-TLS with mutual certificate authentication is required.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A company wants to deploy a wireless network with strong security but without the complexity of managing client certificates. The network uses a RADIUS server and requires user password-based authentication with server-side certificate validation.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse PEAP with EAP-TLS, thinking both offer similar security, or they may believe PEAP's use of passwords is sufficient for 'highest security' when it is not.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse PEAP with EAP-TLS because both use TLS, but PEAP only authenticates the server with a certificate while the client authenticates with a password (e.g., MSCHAPv2), making it less secure than full mutual certificate authentication in EAP-TLS.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EAP-TLS (RFC 5216) requires both the supplicant and the authentication server to present digital certificates, which are validated against a trusted root CA, providing mutual authentication and a secure TLS tunnel for key derivation. In a real-world deployment, this eliminates the need for user passwords and allows integration with a PKI for automated certificate enrollment, making it the preferred choice for high-security environments like government or finance. A subtle behavior is that EAP-TLS can use certificate revocation lists (CRLs) or OCSP to revoke compromised client certificates, a feature not available in password-based methods.
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.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
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: 802.1X with EAP-TLS — Option C is correct because 802.1X with EAP-TLS provides certificate-based mutual authentication, eliminating the risk of credential theft or dictionary attacks. This is the strongest authentication method for enterprise wireless networks, as it requires both the client and the RADIUS server to present valid X.509 certificates, ensuring a cryptographically verified identity on both sides.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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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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