- A
AuthNoPriv
Why wrong: This provides authentication only, no encryption.
- B
AuthPriv with MD5 and DES
Why wrong: This provides both, but MD5 and DES are weaker; however, it technically meets the requirement. But the question implies a secure configuration; the best answer is AuthPriv with SHA and AES.
- C
AuthPriv with SHA and AES
SHA and AES are the recommended stronger algorithms for authentication and privacy, respectively.
- D
NoAuthNoPriv
Why wrong: This provides no security.
Question 507 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 security administrator is configuring SNMPv3 for network device monitoring. The requirement is to provide both authentication and encryption of SNMP traffic. Which combination of options should be used?
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
✓
AuthPriv with SHA and AES
SNMPv3 defines three security levels: NoAuthNoPriv, AuthNoPriv, and AuthPriv. The requirement for both authentication and encryption corresponds to the AuthPriv level. The recommended modern cryptographic algorithms for AuthPriv are SHA (for authentication) and AES (for encryption), as specified in RFC 3826 and RFC 3414. Option C correctly pairs SHA and AES to meet the requirement.
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.
- ✗
AuthNoPriv
Why it's wrong here
This provides authentication only, no encryption.
- ✗
AuthPriv with MD5 and DES
Why it's wrong here
This provides both, but MD5 and DES are weaker; however, it technically meets the requirement. But the question implies a secure configuration; the best answer is AuthPriv with SHA and AES.
- ✓
AuthPriv with SHA and AES
Why this is correct
SHA and AES are the recommended stronger algorithms for authentication and privacy, respectively.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
NoAuthNoPriv
Why it's wrong here
This provides no security.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may choose AuthPriv with MD5 and DES (Option B) because it technically provides both authentication and encryption, but they overlook that MD5 and DES are deprecated and insecure, making them unacceptable in a modern security context.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SNMPv3 uses a User-based Security Model (USM) defined in RFC 3414, where the security level is set per user. Authentication uses HMAC with SHA-1 (or SHA-2) to verify message integrity and origin, while encryption uses a symmetric cipher like AES in CFB mode to protect payload confidentiality. In practice, many enterprise devices default to SHA-1 and AES-128, but SHA-2 (e.g., SHA-256) is increasingly recommended for stronger security.
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: AuthPriv with SHA and AES — SNMPv3 defines three security levels: NoAuthNoPriv, AuthNoPriv, and AuthPriv. The requirement for both authentication and encryption corresponds to the AuthPriv level. The recommended modern cryptographic algorithms for AuthPriv are SHA (for authentication) and AES (for encryption), as specified in RFC 3826 and RFC 3414. Option C correctly pairs SHA and AES to meet the requirement.
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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