- A
WEP
Why wrong: WEP is an outdated and easily cracked protocol; it should never be used in a modern environment.
- B
WPA2-TKIP
Why wrong: TKIP is a legacy encryption method that is no longer considered secure; WPA2 should use AES-CCMP.
- C
WPA3-Personal
WPA3-Personal provides the strongest security for a small office environment without a RADIUS server, and is backward compatible with WPA2 devices.
- D
WPA2-Enterprise
Why wrong: While secure, WPA2-Enterprise requires a RADIUS server, which adds complexity and cost; the question asks for the strongest standard compatible with the devices, implying a simpler setup.
Question 575 of 750
Choosing the Strongest Wireless Encryption for Mixed Devices
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
During a security audit at a law firm, the IT manager wants to ensure that all wireless communication is encrypted with the strongest available standard that is also compatible with their mix of Windows 10 laptops and iOS tablets. Which security protocol should you recommend?
Quick Answer
The answer is WPA3-Personal, as it provides the strongest wireless encryption compatible with Windows 10 and iOS devices. This protocol uses GCMP-256 encryption and Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), which replaces the vulnerable Pre-Shared Key (PSK) handshake of WPA2, offering robust protection against offline dictionary attacks. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of current wireless security standards and their backward compatibility—a common trap is choosing WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise, which require a RADIUS server and are overkill for a small office mix. Remember that WPA3-Personal is the go-to for mixed environments because it supports a transition mode that allows older WPA2 devices to connect while newer ones use the stronger protocol. A helpful memory tip: “Three is the key for security and compatibility—WPA3 keeps the mix secure.”
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
✓
WPA3-Personal
WPA3-Personal is the strongest available wireless encryption standard and is backward-compatible with WPA2 devices, making it suitable for a mixed environment of Windows 10 laptops and iOS tablets. It introduces Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) to replace the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) exchange, providing robust protection against offline dictionary attacks. Both Windows 10 and iOS fully support WPA3, ensuring compatibility without sacrificing security.
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.
- ✗
WEP
Why it's wrong here
WEP is an outdated and easily cracked protocol; it should never be used in a modern environment.
- ✗
WPA2-TKIP
Why it's wrong here
TKIP is a legacy encryption method that is no longer considered secure; WPA2 should use AES-CCMP.
- ✓
WPA3-Personal
- ✗
WPA2-Enterprise
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that WPA2-Enterprise is always stronger than WPA3-Personal, but the question specifies 'strongest available standard' and 'compatible with a mix of Windows 10 laptops and iOS tablets,' which points to WPA3-Personal as the correct choice because it offers superior encryption without requiring enterprise infrastructure.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WPA3-Personal uses SAE (based on the Dragonfly handshake, RFC 7664) to establish a secure key exchange resistant to offline brute-force attacks, even if the password is weak. Under the hood, it also mandates the use of GCMP-256 encryption (Galois/Counter Mode Protocol with 256-bit keys) for data confidentiality, whereas WPA2 typically uses CCMP-AES with 128-bit keys. In a real-world scenario, a law firm handling sensitive client data would benefit from WPA3's forward secrecy, ensuring that past sessions remain secure even if the pre-shared key is later compromised.
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 practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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.
- →
Wireless Security Protocols — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1202 questions
750 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1202 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1202 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.
Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.
Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.
Windows Administrative Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.
macOS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.
Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.
Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.
Physical Security Controls practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.
Logical Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.
Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.
Malware Types and Removal practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1202 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: WPA3-Personal — WPA3-Personal is the strongest available wireless encryption standard and is backward-compatible with WPA2 devices, making it suitable for a mixed environment of Windows 10 laptops and iOS tablets. It introduces Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) to replace the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) exchange, providing robust protection against offline dictionary attacks. Both Windows 10 and iOS fully support WPA3, ensuring compatibility without sacrificing security.
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.
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 →
Keep practising
More 220-1202 practice questions
- During a Windows 10 deployment, you need to ensure that a specific Group Policy setting is applied to a computer before…
- After installing a new printer driver, a user's Windows 11 computer crashes with a blue screen error every time they try…
- A user reports that their Windows 10 computer is infected with a virus that keeps reinstalling itself after removal. Wha…
- A customer reports that their Windows 10 laptop is displaying pop-up ads even when no browser is open. They suspect a ma…
- A technician is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation for a user who handles sensitive financial data. The company po…
- A technician is responding to a security incident where an employee's credentials were used to access a server without a…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.