SK0-005 security-disaster-recovery Practice Question
A network administrator needs to configure centralized authentication for network devices. The solution must provide encryption of the entire authentication process, support for multiple protocols, and accounting of user actions. Which protocol 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
✓
TACACS+
TACACS+ encrypts the entire authentication process, offers granular control over authorization, and supports accounting. RADIUS (B) only encrypts the password, not the entire session. LDAP (A) is a directory service, not an encryption-focused authentication protocol. Kerberos (C) uses tickets and encryption but is primarily for single sign-on within a domain, not commonly used for network device administration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
TACACS+
Why this is correct
TACACS+ encrypts the entire body of the packet, supports multiple protocols, and provides detailed accounting, fitting the requirements.
- ✗
Kerberos
Why it's wrong here
Kerberos is a network authentication protocol, but it is not typically used for centralized authentication of network devices in the same way TACACS+ is.
- ✗
RADIUS
Why it's wrong here
RADIUS encrypts only the password, not the entire session, and has limited accounting compared to TACACS+.
- ✗
LDAP
Why it's wrong here
LDAP does not provide encryption of the entire authentication process; it is a directory protocol.
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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration and Connectivity
Key term
Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying that someone or something is who or what it claims to be before granting access to a system or resource.
Key term
RADIUS
RADIUS is a network protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting management for users who connect and use a network service.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed July 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This SK0-005 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 SK0-005 exam.