Quick Answer
The answer is implementing MAC address filtering, along with disabling SSID broadcast and using strong encryption, as three core best practices for securing a wireless network. Disabling SSID broadcast prevents the access point from advertising the network name in beacon frames, which reduces casual discovery by nearby devices; while this does not stop a determined attacker using a packet analyzer, it adds a basic layer of obscurity as part of a defense-in-depth strategy. On the Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP exam, this concept tests your understanding of wireless security controls and their practical limitations—a common trap is assuming SSID hiding provides real security, when in fact it only deters casual users. Remember that MAC filtering can be spoofed, so it is a supplementary control, not a standalone solution. A useful memory tip: think of SSID broadcast as a “neon sign” for your network; turning it off is like dimming the lights, but the building is still there.
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.
Which THREE of the following are best practices for securing a wireless network?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Disable SSID broadcast.
Makes the network less visible to casual scanners.
Enable WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).
Why wrong: WPS is vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
Use WEP encryption.
Why wrong: WEP is outdated and easily cracked.
Use WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X authentication.
Provides per-user authentication and encryption.
Implement MAC address filtering.
Adds an extra layer of access control.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Disable SSID broadcast.
Disabling SSID broadcast prevents the access point from including the network name in beacon frames. While this does not hide the network from determined attackers using packet analyzers, it reduces casual discovery and is considered a basic security hardening step in defense-in-depth.
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.
Disable SSID broadcast.
Why this is correct
Makes the network less visible to casual scanners.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).
Why it's wrong here
WPS is vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
Use WEP encryption.
Why it's wrong here
WEP is outdated and easily cracked.
Use WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X authentication.
Why this is correct
Provides per-user authentication and encryption.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Implement MAC address filtering.
Why this is correct
Adds an extra layer of access control.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often mistake 'security by obscurity' (disabling SSID broadcast) as a primary control, while overlooking that WPS and WEP are fundamentally broken protocols that should never be used in a secure deployment.
Detailed technical explanation
Disabling SSID broadcast works by clearing the SSID field in 802.11 management beacon frames. However, the SSID is still transmitted in probe requests and probe responses, and tools like Kismet can passively detect hidden networks by listening for clients actively connecting. In enterprise environments, this is a minor deterrent, not a substitute for strong authentication and encryption.
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Disable SSID broadcast. — Disabling SSID broadcast prevents the access point from including the network name in beacon frames. While this does not hide the network from determined attackers using packet analyzers, it reduces casual discovery and is considered a basic security hardening step in defense-in-depth.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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