- A
Backward compatibility with WPA2 clients without security reduction
Why wrong: WPA3 is not backward compatible; it requires WPA3-capable devices.
- B
Protected Management Frames (PMF)
PMF is mandatory in WPA3 to protect management frames.
- C
Use of SAE instead of PSK for key exchange
SAE is the key exchange protocol in WPA3 Personal.
- D
Forward secrecy
WPA3 provides forward secrecy so that compromising the password does not expose past sessions.
- E
Mandatory use of TKIP for encryption
Why wrong: TKIP is deprecated; WPA3 uses AES-GCMP.
Question 463 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 improve wireless security. Which THREE of the following are features of WPA3 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
✓
Protected Management Frames (PMF)
Protected Management Frames (PMF) are mandatory in WPA3, whereas in WPA2 they were optional. PMF provides integrity and replay protection for management frames, preventing attacks such as deauthentication and disassociation that can be used to disrupt wireless connections.
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.
- ✗
Backward compatibility with WPA2 clients without security reduction
Why it's wrong here
WPA3 is not backward compatible; it requires WPA3-capable devices.
- ✓
Protected Management Frames (PMF)
Why this is correct
PMF is mandatory in WPA3 to protect management frames.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use of SAE instead of PSK for key exchange
Why this is correct
SAE is the key exchange protocol in WPA3 Personal.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Forward secrecy
Why this is correct
WPA3 provides forward secrecy so that compromising the password does not expose past sessions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Mandatory use of TKIP for encryption
Why it's wrong here
TKIP is deprecated; WPA3 uses AES-GCMP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that WPA3 is fully backward compatible with WPA2, but in reality, mixed-mode operation (WPA3 transition mode) forces all clients to use the weaker WPA2 security when any legacy device connects.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WPA3 uses Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), based on the Dragonfly handshake (RFC 7664), which provides forward secrecy and resistance to offline dictionary attacks. In contrast, WPA2's 4-way handshake with PSK is vulnerable to capture and offline brute-force attacks. Forward secrecy ensures that even if the long-term pre-shared key is compromised, past session keys remain secure.
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.
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: Protected Management Frames (PMF) — Protected Management Frames (PMF) are mandatory in WPA3, whereas in WPA2 they were optional. PMF provides integrity and replay protection for management frames, preventing attacks such as deauthentication and disassociation that can be used to disrupt wireless connections.
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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