The answer is using a strong passphrase, along with WPA2 encryption and disabling SSID broadcast, as the three best practices for securing a wireless network. A strong passphrase prevents brute-force attacks by increasing entropy, while WPA2 provides robust encryption to protect data in transit from eavesdropping. Disabling SSID broadcast, though not a strong security measure on its own, is often listed in older exam materials as a basic step to reduce network visibility. On the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity CC exam, this question tests your understanding of foundational wireless network security best practices, often appearing as a multiple-select item where you must distinguish primary controls from weaker ones like MAC filtering or captive portals. A common trap is assuming MAC filtering is effective, but it is easily spoofed and not a primary control. Memory tip: think “Passphrase, Protocol, and Privacy” — strong passphrase, WPA2 protocol, and disabling SSID broadcast for privacy.
ISC2 CC Security Operations Practice Question
This CC practice question tests your understanding of security operations. 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 THREE of the following are best practices for securing a wireless network?
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
✓
Disable SSID broadcast
WPA2 encryption, disabling SSID broadcast (though not strong, often considered best practice in older materials), and using a strong passphrase are commonly recommended. MAC filtering and captive portals are not primary security controls.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Disable SSID broadcast
Why this is correct
Disabling SSID broadcast hides the network from casual scanning, though it is not a strong security measure.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Captive portals are for user authentication, not for securing the wireless network itself.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CC subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Security Operations — This question tests Security Operations — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disable SSID broadcast — WPA2 encryption, disabling SSID broadcast (though not strong, often considered best practice in older materials), and using a strong passphrase are commonly recommended. MAC filtering and captive portals are not primary security controls.
What should I do if I get this CC question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related CC subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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