- A
FTPS
Why wrong: FTPS uses SSL/TLS, not SSH; it requires separate configuration and may have firewall issues.
- B
SFTP
SFTP runs over SSH, leveraging its authentication and encryption, and is widely supported.
- C
TFTP
Why wrong: TFTP uses UDP and has no security.
- D
SCP
Why wrong: SCP also uses SSH but is limited to file copy and lacks features like directory listing.
Question 193 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 wants to securely transfer files between systems over SSH. Which protocol should they use to leverage the existing SSH infrastructure and provide both authentication and encryption?
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
✓
SFTP
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is the correct choice because it operates over the SSH protocol (typically port 22), leveraging its existing authentication and encryption mechanisms. Unlike FTPS, which adds SSL/TLS to FTP, SFTP is designed as a secure file transfer subsystem of SSH, providing both confidentiality and integrity without requiring additional infrastructure.
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.
- ✗
FTPS
- ✓
SFTP
Why this is correct
SFTP runs over SSH, leveraging its authentication and encryption, and is widely supported.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
TFTP
- ✗
SCP
Why it's wrong here
SCP also uses SSH but is limited to file copy and lacks features like directory listing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing SFTP with FTPS or SCP, as many candidates assume 'SSH' implies SCP is the only option, but SFTP is the modern, feature-rich protocol that fully leverages SSH infrastructure for secure file transfers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SFTP (defined in RFC 4251–4256) is actually a subsystem of SSH2, not a separate protocol; it uses the same SSH connection for multiplexing, allowing multiple file operations over a single encrypted channel. A subtle behavior is that SFTP can be used for both interactive and batch file transfers, and it supports file attributes like permissions and timestamps, making it more robust than SCP for automation. In real-world scenarios, organizations often migrate from SCP to SFTP to avoid issues with SCP's lack of a standardized protocol and its reliance on shell-based parsing.
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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Communication and Network Security — study guide chapter
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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: SFTP — SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is the correct choice because it operates over the SSH protocol (typically port 22), leveraging its existing authentication and encryption mechanisms. Unlike FTPS, which adds SSL/TLS to FTP, SFTP is designed as a secure file transfer subsystem of SSH, providing both confidentiality and integrity without requiring additional infrastructure.
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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