- A
Enable MAC address filtering on the access point.
Why wrong: MAC filtering is an additional security layer but does not provide certificate-based authentication; it can be easily spoofed.
- B
Upgrade to WPA3-Personal.
Why wrong: WPA3-Personal uses SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) but still relies on a shared passphrase, not certificates.
- C
Switch to WPA2-Enterprise and configure a RADIUS server.
WPA2-Enterprise supports 802.1X authentication, which can use certificates issued by a RADIUS server, meeting the policy requirement.
- D
Change the encryption from AES to TKIP.
Why wrong: TKIP is a weaker encryption protocol and does not support certificate-based authentication; it is also deprecated.
Question 351 of 750
How to Implement Certificate-Based Authentication on Wireless Networks
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. 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. 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 IT policy requires that all wireless connections use certificate-based authentication to prevent unauthorized access. The network is currently using WPA2-PSK. Which configuration change is necessary to meet this policy?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to switch to WPA2-Enterprise and configure a RADIUS server. This is necessary because certificate-based authentication is a core feature of WPA2-Enterprise (also known as 802.1X), which uses a RADIUS server to validate digital certificates against a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), whereas WPA2-Personal relies solely on a shared pre-shared key and cannot support individual certificate validation. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between Personal and Enterprise wireless security modes, a common trap being that candidates might mistakenly think WPA2-PSK can be "upgraded" with certificates. A reliable memory tip is to associate "Enterprise" with "Extra infrastructure"—specifically a RADIUS server and PKI—while "Personal" means "Password only."
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
✓
Switch to WPA2-Enterprise and configure a RADIUS server.
Option C is correct because the policy requires certificate-based authentication, which is a feature of WPA2-Enterprise (802.1X). WPA2-Enterprise uses a RADIUS server to validate certificates and authenticate users individually, replacing the pre-shared key (PSK) model. This meets the requirement for certificate-based authentication to prevent unauthorized access.
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.
- ✗
Enable MAC address filtering on the access point.
Why it's wrong here
MAC filtering is an additional security layer but does not provide certificate-based authentication; it can be easily spoofed.
- ✗
Upgrade to WPA3-Personal.
Why it's wrong here
WPA3-Personal uses SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) but still relies on a shared passphrase, not certificates.
- ✓
Switch to WPA2-Enterprise and configure a RADIUS server.
- ✗
Change the encryption from AES to TKIP.
Why it's wrong here
TKIP is a weaker encryption protocol and does not support certificate-based authentication; it is also deprecated.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between Personal and Enterprise modes, where candidates mistakenly think upgrading to WPA3-Personal (Option B) adds certificate support, but only the Enterprise mode with a RADIUS server enables certificate-based authentication.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
WPA3-Personal uses SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) but still relies on a shared passphrase, not certificates.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WPA2-Enterprise relies on the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) over 802.1X, where the RADIUS server acts as the authentication server. Common EAP methods like EAP-TLS require client and server certificates, enabling mutual authentication. In contrast, WPA2-PSK uses a single shared key, which cannot enforce per-user certificate validation.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Wireless Security Protocols — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Switch to WPA2-Enterprise and configure a RADIUS server. — Option C is correct because the policy requires certificate-based authentication, which is a feature of WPA2-Enterprise (802.1X). WPA2-Enterprise uses a RADIUS server to validate certificates and authenticate users individually, replacing the pre-shared key (PSK) model. This meets the requirement for certificate-based authentication to prevent unauthorized access.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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