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 architect is designing a secure communication channel between two remote sites over the internet. Which TWO of the following protocols should be used to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and authentication?
PPTP
Why wrong: PPTP is outdated and has known vulnerabilities.
SSL/TLS
Why wrong: SSL/TLS is typically used for remote access VPNs, not site-to-site.
IPsec with ESP in tunnel mode
IPsec ESP provides encryption and authentication.
MPLS
Why wrong: MPLS does not provide encryption.
L2TP over IPsec
L2TP over IPsec provides encrypted tunnels.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
IPsec with ESP in tunnel mode
Options B (IPsec with ESP in tunnel mode) and E (L2TP over IPsec) provide encryption and authentication for site-to-site VPNs. PPTP is outdated and insecure. SSL/TLS is primarily used for client-to-site VPNs. MPLS does not provide encryption.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
PPTP
Why it's wrong here
PPTP is outdated and has known vulnerabilities.
SSL/TLS
Why it's wrong here
SSL/TLS is typically used for remote access VPNs, not site-to-site.
IPsec with ESP in tunnel mode
Why this is correct
IPsec ESP provides encryption and authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
MPLS
Why it's wrong here
MPLS does not provide encryption.
L2TP over IPsec
Why this is correct
L2TP over IPsec provides encrypted tunnels.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Communication and Network Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Communication and Network Security — This question tests Communication and Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: IPsec with ESP in tunnel mode — Options B (IPsec with ESP in tunnel mode) and E (L2TP over IPsec) provide encryption and authentication for site-to-site VPNs. PPTP is outdated and insecure. SSL/TLS is primarily used for client-to-site VPNs. MPLS does not provide encryption.
Identify which CISSP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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