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ISC2 CC Practice Question: A company uses WPA2-Enterprise for wireless…
A company uses WPA2-Enterprise for wireless authentication. What additional security measure should be implemented to protect against rogue access points?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the misconception that WPA2-Enterprise or 802.1X alone can prevent rogue APs, but the trap is that these protocols authenticate users and servers, not the physical AP device itself, leaving the network vulnerable to rogue APs that broadcast the same SSID.
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
✓
Deploy a wireless intrusion prevention system (WIPS)
WPA2-Enterprise uses 802.1X for authentication, but it does not inherently detect or block rogue access points (APs) that mimic legitimate SSIDs. A Wireless Intrusion Prevention System (WIPS) continuously monitors the RF spectrum, identifies unauthorized APs by analyzing beacon frames, probe responses, and MAC addresses, and can automatically contain them by sending deauthentication frames or alerting administrators. This is the most direct and effective measure to protect against rogue APs in an enterprise WLAN.
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 filtering
Why it's wrong here
MAC filtering relies on client hardware addresses that an attacker can spoof, so a rogue access point can still accept connections from legitimate-looking clients. It is tempting as a lightweight access-control measure, but it does not authenticate the network to the client, which is what defeats rogue APs.
- ✓
Deploy a wireless intrusion prevention system (WIPS)
Why this is correct
A WIPS continuously monitors the radio spectrum, detects rogue and evil-twin access points, and can automatically contain them. WPA2-Enterprise only authenticates legitimate clients to authorised APs, so it cannot detect or block rogue APs, which the WIPS satisfies.
- ✗
Implement 802.1X with mutual authentication
Why it's wrong here
WPA2-Enterprise already mandates 802.1X with EAP-based mutual authentication, so this adds nothing against rogue APs. It is tempting because 802.1X genuinely prevents unauthorised clients joining a network, but rogue-AP detection requires WIPS or trusted-server validation of the AP itself.
- ✗
Use WPA3
Why it's wrong here
WPA3 replaces WPA2's authentication and encryption mechanisms but does not by itself detect or prevent clients associating with a rogue access point broadcasting a matching SSID. It is tempting because it is the newer wireless security standard, yet the scenario requires server certificate validation through 802.1X mutual authentication to expose impersonating APs.
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
Authentication and Authorization Methods
Key term
Intrusion Prevention System
An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is a network security tool that monitors network traffic and actively blocks threats like malware and cyberattacks in real time.
Key term
802.1X
802.1X is a network access control standard that authenticates devices before they are allowed to connect to a wired or wireless network.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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