- A
Implement WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X
WPA2-Enterprise uses individual user authentication via a RADIUS server, removing the shared key vulnerability.
- B
Upgrade to WPA3-Personal with a strong passphrase
Why wrong: WPA3-Personal provides improved encryption but still relies on a shared passphrase, which is a single point of compromise.
- C
Disable SSID broadcast
Why wrong: Disabling SSID broadcast hides the network name but does not provide authentication or encryption improvements.
- D
Enable MAC address filtering
Why wrong: MAC filtering is easily bypassed and does not address the shared passphrase issue.
Question 133 of 520
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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's wireless network currently uses WPA2-PSK with a shared passphrase. A security audit identifies that the passphrase is weak and shared among all employees. Which of the following would provide the MOST secure wireless access while addressing the shared passphrase issue?
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
✓
Implement WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X
WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X eliminates the shared passphrase by using a RADIUS server to authenticate each user individually, typically via EAP methods such as PEAP or EAP-TLS. This provides per-user credentials (e.g., username/password or certificates), so compromising one user's credentials does not expose the entire network. It also supports dynamic per-session encryption keys, making it far more secure than any shared-passphrase solution.
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.
- ✓
Implement WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X
- ✗
Upgrade to WPA3-Personal with a strong passphrase
Why it's wrong here
WPA3-Personal provides improved encryption but still relies on a shared passphrase, which is a single point of compromise.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked for the most secure wireless access for a small office/home office (SOHO) environment where 802.1X infrastructure is unavailable, and the primary concern was protecting against brute-force attacks on the passphrase, then upgrading to WPA3-Personal with a strong passphrase would be the best option.
- ✗
Disable SSID broadcast
Why it's wrong here
Disabling SSID broadcast hides the network name but does not provide authentication or encryption improvements.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asks for a method to reduce casual unauthorized access attempts or network discovery, with no requirement to address authentication weaknesses. For example: 'Which of the following would make a wireless network less visible to casual users?'
- ✗
Enable MAC address filtering
Why it's wrong here
MAC filtering is easily bypassed and does not address the shared passphrase issue.
When this WOULD be correct
When the question asks for a method to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to a small, static network where device control is feasible, and the primary concern is not authentication strength but basic access restriction.
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.
✓Implement WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1XCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
WPA2-Enterprise uses individual user authentication via a RADIUS server, removing the shared key vulnerability.
✗Upgrade to WPA3-Personal with a strong passphraseWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
WPA3-Personal still uses a shared passphrase, which does not address the security audit's finding that the passphrase is shared among all employees. The goal is to eliminate the shared passphrase, not just strengthen it.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked for the most secure wireless access for a small office/home office (SOHO) environment where 802.1X infrastructure is unavailable, and the primary concern was protecting against brute-force attacks on the passphrase, then upgrading to WPA3-Personal with a strong passphrase would be the best option.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that upgrading to a newer, more secure protocol (WPA3) automatically solves all security issues, overlooking that WPA3-Personal still relies on a shared passphrase, which is the core problem identified in the audit.
✗Disable SSID broadcastWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Disabling SSID broadcast only hides the network name from beacon frames, but the weak shared passphrase remains unchanged, so it does not address the core security issue of shared credentials.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asks for a method to reduce casual unauthorized access attempts or network discovery, with no requirement to address authentication weaknesses. For example: 'Which of the following would make a wireless network less visible to casual users?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think hiding the SSID adds a layer of security by making the network 'invisible,' but it is easily bypassed and does not fix authentication flaws.
✗Enable MAC address filteringWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
MAC address filtering does not address the shared passphrase issue; it only restricts access based on device MAC addresses, which can be spoofed and does not improve authentication security.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When the question asks for a method to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to a small, static network where device control is feasible, and the primary concern is not authentication strength but basic access restriction.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think MAC filtering adds a layer of security by allowing only approved devices, overlooking that it is easily bypassed and does not solve the weak shared passphrase problem.
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 assume upgrading to WPA3-Personal (with SAE) is sufficient, but the question specifically requires addressing the 'shared passphrase' issue, which only per-user authentication (802.1X) can solve.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
WPA3-Personal provides improved encryption but still relies on a shared passphrase, which is a single point of compromise.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WPA2-Enterprise uses 802.1X with EAP to establish a master session key (MSK) per user, which is then used to derive unique pairwise transient keys (PTK) for each wireless session. In contrast, WPA2-Personal derives the PTK from a single pre-shared key (PSK) that is identical for all clients, making it vulnerable to offline dictionary attacks if the passphrase is weak. Real-world deployments often combine WPA2-Enterprise with certificate-based EAP-TLS for mutual authentication, preventing rogue access point attacks.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: Implement WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X — WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X eliminates the shared passphrase by using a RADIUS server to authenticate each user individually, typically via EAP methods such as PEAP or EAP-TLS. This provides per-user credentials (e.g., username/password or certificates), so compromising one user's credentials does not expose the entire network. It also supports dynamic per-session encryption keys, making it far more secure than any shared-passphrase solution.
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
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