This CC practice question tests your understanding of security operations. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 THREE of the following are best practices for securing a remote access VPN?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable multi-factor authentication.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an additional layer of security beyond just a password, requiring a second factor such as a one-time code from a token or biometric. For a remote access VPN, this mitigates the risk of credential theft or brute-force attacks against the VPN gateway. Even if an attacker obtains a user's password, they cannot authenticate without the second factor, significantly reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access.
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.
✓
Enable multi-factor authentication.
Why this is correct
Adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Keep VPN client software up to date.
Why this is correct
Patches vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use pre-shared keys for authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Pre-shared keys are less secure than certificate-based authentication.
✓
Enforce strong password policies.
Why this is correct
Reduces risk of credential compromise.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Implement split tunneling by default.
Why it's wrong here
Exposes the internal network to threats from insecure external connections.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the misconception that pre-shared keys are acceptable for remote access VPNs because they are simple to configure, but the exam expects you to recognize that PSKs are a weak, shared secret that should be replaced with certificate-based or EAP authentication for secure remote access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In IPsec-based remote access VPNs, IKEv2 with EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) is commonly used to support MFA, where the VPNgateway acts as a RADIUS client to an authentication server that validates the second factor. For SSL/TLS VPNs (e.g., Cisco AnyConnect), MFA can be integrated via SAML or RADIUS with one-time passwords. The use of PSKs in IKEv1 main mode is vulnerable to offline dictionary attacks if the PSK is weak, and it lacks the ability to revoke individual user access without changing the shared secret for all users.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CC question in full detail.
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable multi-factor authentication. — Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an additional layer of security beyond just a password, requiring a second factor such as a one-time code from a token or biometric. For a remote access VPN, this mitigates the risk of credential theft or brute-force attacks against the VPN gateway. Even if an attacker obtains a user's password, they cannot authenticate without the second factor, significantly reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
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.
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.