- A
WPA2-PSK with PEAP-MSCHAPv2.
Why wrong: WPA2-PSK uses a pre-shared key, not 802.1X; PEAP-MSCHAPv2 uses passwords, not smart cards.
- B
WPA3-Personal with SAE.
Why wrong: WPA3-Personal is for home/small office; it does not support 802.1X or smart card authentication.
- C
WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS.
WPA2-Enterprise supports 802.1X, and EAP-TLS uses certificates for mutual authentication, compatible with smart cards.
- D
WPA3-Enterprise with EAP-TTLS.
Why wrong: While WPA3-Enterprise is secure, EAP-TTLS typically uses passwords and is less secure than EAP-TLS; also, the question asks for smart card support, which is best with EAP-TLS.
Question 538 of 750
Choosing the Most Secure Wireless Protocol for Smart Card Authentication
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.
A network administrator is configuring a new wireless network for a hospital that requires the highest level of security for patient data. The network must support 802.1X authentication with smart cards. Which combination of security protocols and authentication methods should be used?
Quick Answer
The answer is WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS. This combination is the most secure wireless protocol for a hospital with smart cards because EAP-TLS requires mutual certificate-based authentication, meaning both the client (via the smart card) and the server must present valid digital certificates before access is granted, eliminating the risk of rogue access points or credential theft. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of enterprise authentication methods and their security hierarchy; a common trap is choosing WPA2-Personal or WPA3-Personal, which use a shared passphrase and cannot support 802.1X or smart cards. Remember that EAP-TLS is the only EAP method that mandates certificates on both ends, making it the gold standard for environments like healthcare where patient data protection is critical. A helpful memory tip: "TLS means Two-way certificates for the highest security."
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
✓
WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS.
Option C is correct because WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS provides the highest level of security for a hospital network requiring 802.1X authentication with smart cards. EAP-TLS uses mutual authentication via digital certificates (which can be stored on smart cards), eliminating the risk of credential theft or man-in-the-middle attacks. WPA2-Enterprise is the appropriate underlying encryption framework for this scenario, as it supports the required 802.1X/EAP integration.
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.
- ✗
WPA2-PSK with PEAP-MSCHAPv2.
- ✗
WPA3-Personal with SAE.
- ✓
WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS.
- ✗
WPA3-Enterprise with EAP-TTLS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume WPA3 is always more secure than WPA2, but for enterprise 802.1X with smart cards, WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS is the correct and fully supported combination, while WPA3-Enterprise with EAP-TTLS does not enforce client certificate authentication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EAP-TLS (RFC 5216) requires both the server and client to present X.509 certificates, enabling mutual authentication without transmitting shared secrets. In a hospital environment, smart cards store the client certificate and private key, ensuring that authentication is tied to a physical token and cannot be phished. WPA2-Enterprise uses a four-way handshake with a dynamically derived Pairwise Transient Key (PTK) after successful EAP authentication, providing per-session encryption that is independent of the authentication method.
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.
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 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: WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS. — Option C is correct because WPA2-Enterprise with EAP-TLS provides the highest level of security for a hospital network requiring 802.1X authentication with smart cards. EAP-TLS uses mutual authentication via digital certificates (which can be stored on smart cards), eliminating the risk of credential theft or man-in-the-middle attacks. WPA2-Enterprise is the appropriate underlying encryption framework for this scenario, as it supports the required 802.1X/EAP integration.
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
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.
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