- A
Use IPsec in transport mode for better performance
Why wrong: IPsec is a different protocol; SSL VPN does not use IPsec.
- B
Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication
Strong authentication is critical to prevent unauthorized access via the VPN portal.
- C
Ensure the SSL VPN gateway is patched and hardened against web application attacks
The SSL VPN gateway is a web application and must be secured against common web attacks.
- D
Use pre-shared keys for authentication
Why wrong: SSL VPNs typically use certificates or username/password; pre-shared keys are not standard.
- E
Disable encryption to improve speed
Why wrong: Disabling encryption defeats the purpose of a VPN.
Question 928 of 1,000
CISSP Communication and Network Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of communication and 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.
A company is deploying a VPN solution for remote employees using SSL/TLS VPN. Which TWO security considerations are important when implementing this type of VPN? (Select two.)
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
✓
Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication
SSL/TLS VPNs operate at the application layer and are exposed to the internet, making them vulnerable to web-based attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting. Strong authentication, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), is critical to prevent unauthorized access even if credentials are compromised. Patching and hardening the SSL VPN gateway against web application attacks is equally important to mitigate vulnerabilities in the underlying web server or VPN appliance.
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.
- ✗
Use IPsec in transport mode for better performance
- ✓
Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication
Why this is correct
Strong authentication is critical to prevent unauthorized access via the VPN portal.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Ensure the SSL VPN gateway is patched and hardened against web application attacks
- ✗
Use pre-shared keys for authentication
Why it's wrong here
SSL VPNs typically use certificates or username/password; pre-shared keys are not standard.
- ✗
Disable encryption to improve speed
Why it's wrong here
Disabling encryption defeats the purpose of a VPN.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse SSL/TLS VPNs with IPsec VPNs, leading them to select IPsec-specific options like transport mode or pre-shared keys, when the question explicitly focuses on SSL/TLS VPN security considerations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSL/TLS VPNs use the TLS handshake to negotiate a session key, typically using RSA or ECDHE for key exchange, and then encrypt traffic with symmetric ciphers like AES-GCM. The gateway often runs a web server (e.g., Apache, Nginx) or a proprietary appliance that must be hardened against OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities, as it processes HTTP requests before tunneling. In real-world deployments, failure to patch the gateway (e.g., CVE-2023-38035 for Ivanti) has led to widespread breaches, emphasizing the need for regular updates and web application firewalls.
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.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Communication and Network Security — This question tests Communication and Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication — SSL/TLS VPNs operate at the application layer and are exposed to the internet, making them vulnerable to web-based attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting. Strong authentication, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), is critical to prevent unauthorized access even if credentials are compromised. Patching and hardening the SSL VPN gateway against web application attacks is equally important to mitigate vulnerabilities in the underlying web server or VPN appliance.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CISSP 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 CISSP exam.
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