- A
WPA3 replaces PSK with SAE and uses GCMP-256 encryption.
SAE provides forward secrecy and resistance to offline dictionary attacks; GCMP-256 is the required encryption.
- B
WPA3 uses TKIP for backward compatibility.
Why wrong: WPA3 removes TKIP entirely; only AES-CCMP or GCMP are used.
- C
WPA3 uses AES-CCMP as the mandatory encryption method.
Why wrong: AES-CCMP is used in WPA2; WPA3 uses GCMP-256.
- D
WPA3 eliminates the need for 802.1X authentication.
Why wrong: WPA3 still supports 802.1X for enterprise mode; SAE is for personal mode.
Question 882 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 migrating from WPA2 to WPA3 to enhance wireless security. Which of the following cryptographic changes does WPA3 introduce compared to WPA2?
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
✓
WPA3 replaces PSK with SAE and uses GCMP-256 encryption.
WPA3 introduces the Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) handshake, defined in IEEE 802.11-2016, to replace the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) method used in WPA2, providing forward secrecy and resistance to offline dictionary attacks. Additionally, WPA3 mandates the use of GCMP-256 (Galois/Counter Mode Protocol with a 256-bit key) for encryption, which is stronger than the AES-CCMP (128-bit) used in WPA2.
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.
- ✓
WPA3 replaces PSK with SAE and uses GCMP-256 encryption.
Why this is correct
SAE provides forward secrecy and resistance to offline dictionary attacks; GCMP-256 is the required encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
WPA3 uses TKIP for backward compatibility.
Why it's wrong here
WPA3 removes TKIP entirely; only AES-CCMP or GCMP are used.
- ✗
WPA3 uses AES-CCMP as the mandatory encryption method.
- ✗
WPA3 eliminates the need for 802.1X authentication.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the mandatory encryption method of WPA3 (GCMP-256) with that of WPA2 (AES-CCMP), or incorrectly assume WPA3 still relies on TKIP for backward compatibility, when in fact TKIP is completely removed from the WPA3 specification.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) is based on the Dragonfly key exchange (RFC 7664), which uses a finite field Diffie-Hellman variant to generate a Pairwise Master Key (PMK) without transmitting the password over the air, preventing offline brute-force attacks. GCMP-256 combines AES in Galois/Counter Mode with a 256-bit key, offering both encryption and integrity checking, and is mandatory for WPA3-Enterprise (192-bit security mode) and optional for WPA3-Personal. In real-world deployments, WPA3-Transition mode allows mixed networks with WPA2 devices but forces all devices to use WPA3 security if supported, reducing compatibility issues.
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
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: WPA3 replaces PSK with SAE and uses GCMP-256 encryption. — WPA3 introduces the Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) handshake, defined in IEEE 802.11-2016, to replace the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) method used in WPA2, providing forward secrecy and resistance to offline dictionary attacks. Additionally, WPA3 mandates the use of GCMP-256 (Galois/Counter Mode Protocol with a 256-bit key) for encryption, which is stronger than the AES-CCMP (128-bit) used in WPA2.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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