easyMultiple Choice
ISC2 CC Practice Question: A network administrator needs to provide secure…
A network administrator needs to provide secure remote access to internal resources for employees working from home. The solution must encrypt all traffic and authenticate users before granting access. Which protocol should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between site-to-site IPsec (which is network-layer and device-oriented) and remote-access SSL/TLS VPNs (which are user-oriented and firewall-friendly), leading candidates to pick IPsec for any 'secure remote access' scenario.
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
✓
SSL/TLS VPN
C is correct because SSL/TLS VPNs (e.g., Cisco AnyConnect) provide encrypted tunnels over HTTPS (port 443) and support user authentication via certificates, RADIUS, or LDAP. This allows secure remote access to internal resources without requiring a persistent IPsec tunnel, making it ideal for home workers with dynamic IPs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SSH
Why it's wrong here
SSH secures terminal sessions and file transfers to individual hosts, not full remote access to internal resources with user authentication at the network edge. It is tempting because SSH encrypts and authenticates administrators, and it would be correct for managing servers or transferring files securely.
- ✗
IPsec
Why it's wrong here
IPsec operates at the network layer and typically requires pre-shared keys or certificates plus a configured gateway, not per-user authentication before access. It is tempting because IPsec encrypts site-to-site and remote-access tunnels, and it would be correct for securing traffic between fixed offices or networks.
- ✓
SSL/TLS VPN
Why this is correct
SSL/TLS VPN tunnels traffic over TCP port 443, encrypting the session and authenticating users via certificates or credentials before granting internal access. It satisfies the stem's encryption and pre-access authentication constraints, and traverses home firewalls more reliably than IPsec, which often needs UDP ports opened.
- ✗
SNMPv3
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv3 monitors and manages network devices, providing authentication and encryption for management traffic only, not remote user access to internal resources. It is tempting because SNMPv3 adds security over earlier versions, and it would be correct for securely polling or configuring network infrastructure.
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
Secure Network Architecture and Design
Key term
Internet Protocol Security
Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) is a suite of protocols that encrypts and authenticates data packets sent over IP networks to ensure private and secure communication.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CC practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CC exam.