N10-009 SNMPv3 Security Levels Practice Question
A network administrator wants to monitor network devices using SNMP. The security policy requires both authentication and encryption of SNMP packets. Which SNMP version and security level should be configured?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse 'authNoPriv' with 'authPriv', assuming authentication alone satisfies security requirements, but the question explicitly demands both authentication and encryption.
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
✓
SNMPv3 with authPriv
SNMPv3 is the only version that supports both authentication and encryption. The security level 'authPriv' enables both authentication (via HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA) and encryption (via CBC-DES or CFB128-AES), meeting the policy requirement. SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c use only plaintext community strings with no security, while 'authNoPriv' provides authentication without encryption.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SNMPv2c with a community string
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv2c offers only community-string authentication, with no encryption, so it cannot meet the policy's confidentiality requirement. It is tempting because community strings are simple to configure and widely supported, and v2c would suffice where only basic read access monitoring is needed without encryption.
When this WOULD be correct
A network administrator needs to monitor devices in a trusted internal network where security policy requires only authentication (no encryption) and simplicity; SNMPv2c with a community string would be correct.
- ✗
SNMPv3 with authNoPriv
Why it's wrong here
authNoPriv provides authentication via HMAC but sends the payload unencrypted, breaching the encryption requirement. It is tempting because SNMPv3 with authNoPriv is a genuine security improvement over v1 and v2c, and it would be correct where integrity and authentication are required but confidentiality is not.
When this WOULD be correct
If the security policy required authentication only (no encryption), or if the question specified that encryption was not needed, then SNMPv3 with authNoPriv would be correct.
- ✓
SNMPv3 with authPriv
Why this is correct
SNMPv3 is the only version offering both authentication and encryption through its security levels. authPriv enforces authentication via HMAC plus privacy via DES or AES encryption of packet payloads, satisfying the policy. SNMPv1 and v2c provide only plaintext community-string authentication.
- ✗
SNMPv1 with a community string
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv1 authenticates only with a plaintext community string and provides no encryption, so it fails the policy requiring both authentication and encryption. It is tempting because community strings are simple to configure on legacy devices, but SNMPv3 with authPriv is needed for packet-level security.
When this WOULD be correct
A question that asks for the simplest SNMP version that provides basic monitoring without security requirements, such as 'Which SNMP version should be used on a small, trusted network where security is not a concern?'
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.
✓SNMPv3 with authPrivCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
SNMPv3 is the only version offering both authentication and encryption through its security levels. authPriv enforces authentication via HMAC plus privacy via DES or AES encryption of packet payloads, satisfying the policy. SNMPv1 and v2c provide only plaintext community-string authentication.
✗SNMPv2c with a community stringWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SNMPv2c uses community strings for authentication only, with no encryption, failing the security policy's requirement for both authentication and encryption.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A network administrator needs to monitor devices in a trusted internal network where security policy requires only authentication (no encryption) and simplicity; SNMPv2c with a community string would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be familiar with SNMPv2c's simplicity and community strings, mistakenly believing they provide encryption or that the security policy's encryption requirement can be overlooked.
✗SNMPv3 with authNoPrivWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SNMPv3 with authNoPriv provides authentication but no encryption, failing the security policy requirement for both authentication and encryption.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the security policy required authentication only (no encryption), or if the question specified that encryption was not needed, then SNMPv3 with authNoPriv would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may know SNMPv3 supports authentication and mistakenly think authNoPriv includes encryption, or they overlook the 'both' requirement in the question.
✗SNMPv1 with a community stringWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SNMPv1 uses community strings for authentication only, with no encryption, failing the requirement for both authentication and encryption.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question that asks for the simplest SNMP version that provides basic monitoring without security requirements, such as 'Which SNMP version should be used on a small, trusted network where security is not a concern?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly think SNMPv1 is sufficient because it is widely known and simple, overlooking the explicit security requirement for encryption.
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?”
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Monitoring Tools and SNMP
Key term
SNMP
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is an application-layer protocol used to collect and organize information about managed devices on IP networks and to modify that information to change device behavior.
Key term
HMAC
HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code) is a mechanism that uses a cryptographic hash function together with a secret key to verify both the integrity and authenticity of a message.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every N10-009 question from scratch — 472 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.