The answer is SNMPv3 with the authPriv security level. This is correct because authPriv is the only SNMP configuration that provides both authentication, using HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA to verify the sender’s identity, and encryption, using CBC-DES or CFB128-AES to protect the packet contents from eavesdropping. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this question tests your understanding of SNMP security models, often appearing as a scenario where a policy mandates both integrity and confidentiality. A common trap is confusing authNoPriv, which authenticates but leaves data in plaintext, or assuming SNMPv2c offers any real security. Remember the mnemonic: “authPriv = auth + privacy” — if the policy says “encrypt,” you must pick the level that includes privacy.
N10-009 Network Operations Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network operations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: sNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and encryption.. 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 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?
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.
Key principle: SNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and 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 uses plaintext community strings and provides no encryption or authentication.
✗
SNMPv3 with authNoPriv
Why it's wrong here
authNoPriv provides authentication but no encryption, so packets can be read in transit.
✓
SNMPv3 with authPriv
Why this is correct
authPriv provides both authentication (e.g., SHA) and encryption (e.g., AES), satisfying the policy.
Related concept
SNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and encryption.
✗
SNMPv1 with a community string
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv1, like v2c, is insecure and uses plaintext community strings.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'authNoPriv' with 'authPriv', assuming authentication alone satisfies security requirements, but the question explicitly demands both authentication and encryption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SNMPv3 defines three security levels: noAuthNoPriv (no security), authNoPriv (authentication only using HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA), and authPriv (authentication plus encryption using CBC-DES or CFB128-AES). The encryption in authPriv protects the payload of SNMP messages, including the community string equivalent (engineID and context), from eavesdropping. In production networks, authPriv is often required for compliance with standards like PCI-DSS or HIPAA when SNMP is used to monitor critical infrastructure.
KKey Concepts to Remember
SNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and encryption.
The 'authPriv' security level in SNMPv3 provides both authentication and privacy (encryption).
Authentication in authPriv uses hashing algorithms like MD5 or SHA.
Encryption in authPriv uses algorithms like DES, 3DES, or AES.
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
SNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and encryption.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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. SNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and encryption. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this N10-009 question in full detail.
Review sNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and encryption., then practise related N10-009 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Network Operations — This question tests Network Operations — SNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and encryption..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Review sNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and encryption., then practise related N10-009 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
SNMPv3 is the only SNMP version supporting both authentication and encryption.
About these practice questions
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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 is setting up SNMPv3 on a router for secure monitoring. Which of the following is required for SNMPv3 authentication?
medium
A.Community string
✓ B.Username and password
C.Encryption key
D.Public key
Why B: SNMPv3 introduces a security model that requires a username and password (authentication passphrase) for authentication, moving away from the community-string-based model of SNMPv1/v2c. The password is used with an authentication protocol like MD5 or SHA to verify the identity of the manager before allowing access. Without a valid username and password combination, SNMPv3 will reject the request.
Variation 2. Which SNMPv3 security level provides both authentication and encryption?
easy
A.noAuthNoPriv
B.authNoPriv
✓ C.authPriv
D.noAuthPriv
Why C: Option C (authPriv) is correct because SNMPv3 defines three security levels: noAuthNoPriv, authNoPriv, and authPriv. The authPriv level provides both authentication (using HMAC-MD5 or HMAC-SHA) and encryption (using CBC-DES or AES) to ensure data integrity, origin verification, and confidentiality. This is the highest security level defined in RFC 3414.
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Question Discussion
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