The correct answer is WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X, as it directly eliminates the shared passphrase problem by authenticating each user individually through a RADIUS server. Unlike WPA2-PSK, where a single weak passphrase exposes the entire network if compromised, WPA2-Enterprise uses per-user credentials—such as usernames and passwords or digital certificates—via EAP methods like PEAP or EAP-TLS, and it generates dynamic per-session encryption keys. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this question tests your understanding of authentication versus encryption; a common trap is confusing WPA2-Enterprise with simply changing the PSK to a stronger passphrase, which still leaves the shared vulnerability. Remember that “Enterprise” means individual authentication, while “PSK” means a single shared key—think of it as “one key for all” versus “a key for each.” A helpful memory tip: if you see “shared passphrase” in a security audit, your answer should always point to 802.1X and a RADIUS server.
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 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
Why this is correct
WPA2-Enterprise uses individual user authentication via a RADIUS server, removing the shared key vulnerability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
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.
✗
Disable SSID broadcast
Why it's wrong here
Disabling SSID broadcast hides the network name but does not provide authentication or encryption improvements.
✗
Enable MAC address filtering
Why it's wrong here
MAC filtering is easily bypassed and does not address the shared passphrase issue.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this N10-009 question in full detail.
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.
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Question Discussion
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