Quick Answer
SSH is the correct choice because it provides secure remote administration of a network device over an untrusted network by encrypting all traffic, including login credentials and commands, using strong cryptographic algorithms. This ensures confidentiality, integrity, and authentication, which cleartext protocols like Telnet or HTTP cannot offer. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your understanding of secure network protocols and their appropriate use cases, often appearing as a straightforward concept question or as a distractor in a scenario involving remote device management. A common trap is confusing SSH with Telnet, which lacks encryption entirely, or with SSL/TLS, which secures web traffic but not command-line access. Remember that SSH operates on TCP port 22 and is the standard for secure CLI access to routers and switches. For a quick memory tip: think “Secure Shell Secures Shell Access”—if it’s remote and untrusted, SSH is a must.
This CC practice question tests your understanding of network security. 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.
Which of the following protocols provides secure remote administration of a network device over an untrusted network?
SNMPv1
Why wrong: SNMPv1 uses community strings transmitted in cleartext.
Telnet
Why wrong: Telnet transmits data in plaintext, including login credentials.
HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP is not encrypted and is not suitable for secure administration.
SSH
SSH provides encrypted remote access, securing the session.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is correct because it encrypts all traffic, including authentication credentials and commands, using strong cryptographic algorithms, making it safe for remote administration over untrusted networks. It operates on TCP port 22 and provides confidentiality, integrity, and authentication, unlike cleartext protocols. SSH is the standard for secure CLI access to network devices such as routers and switches.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
SNMPv1
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv1 uses community strings transmitted in cleartext.
Telnet
Why it's wrong here
Telnet transmits data in plaintext, including login credentials.
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is not encrypted and is not suitable for secure administration.
SSH
Why this is correct
SSH provides encrypted remote access, securing the session.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the distinction between 'secure' and 'insecure' protocols, and the trap here is that candidates may confuse Telnet with SSH because both provide remote CLI access, forgetting that Telnet lacks encryption entirely.
Detailed technical explanation
SSH uses a client-server model with key exchange (e.g., Diffie-Hellman) to establish a secure channel, then authenticates users via passwords or public keys (RFC 4252). A subtle behavior is that SSH can also tunnel other protocols (port forwarding), which is often used to secure legacy cleartext services like SMTP or HTTP. In real-world scenarios, network engineers rely on SSH to manage devices across the internet, as any cleartext protocol would expose the device to man-in-the-middle attacks.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Network Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Network Security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CC questions
500 questions across all exam domains
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CC practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CC questions linked to Access Controls Concepts.
Practise CC questions linked to Business Continuity, DR & Incident Response.
Practise CC questions linked to Security Principles.
Practise CC questions linked to Network Security.
Practise CC questions linked to Security Operations.
Practise CC questions linked to CC fundamentals.
Practise CC questions linked to CC scenario.
Practise CC questions linked to CC troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SSH — SSH (Secure Shell) is correct because it encrypts all traffic, including authentication credentials and commands, using strong cryptographic algorithms, making it safe for remote administration over untrusted networks. It operates on TCP port 22 and provides confidentiality, integrity, and authentication, unlike cleartext protocols. SSH is the standard for secure CLI access to network devices such as routers and switches.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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.
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.