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.
Which THREE of the following are valid methods for securing wireless networks against unauthorized access?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
MAC address filtering
MAC address filtering (A) can be used as a basic access control mechanism by configuring the wireless access point to only allow devices with specific MAC addresses to connect. However, it is not a strong security method because MAC addresses can be easily spoofed using tools like `macchanger` or `airmon-ng`, making it a weak defense against determined attackers.
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.
✓
MAC address filtering
Why this is correct
MAC filtering can restrict which devices can connect, though it can be bypassed; it is a valid method.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Implementing a wireless intrusion prevention system (WIPS)
Why this is correct
WIPS monitors and can block unauthorized wireless activities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X
Why this is correct
WPA3-Enterprise provides strong authentication and encryption using 802.1X.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Using WEP with a complex key
Why it's wrong here
WEP is fundamentally insecure due to weak encryption and can be cracked regardless of key complexity.
✗
Disabling SSID broadcast
Why it's wrong here
Hiding the SSID does not prevent attackers from discovering it using scanning tools.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often believe disabling SSID broadcast or using WEP with a complex key provides meaningful security, but the CISSP exam expects you to recognize these as obsolete or easily bypassed controls that do not prevent unauthorized access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X (C) provides robust security through Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) handshake, replacing the vulnerable 4-way handshake of WPA2, and integrates with RADIUS for per-user authentication. A WIPS (B) continuously monitors the RF spectrum for rogue access points, deauthentication attacks, and misconfigurations, and can automatically block threats via over-the-air containment. In practice, combining WPA3-Enterprise with a WIPS provides defense-in-depth against both passive eavesdropping and active attacks like Evil Twin or KRACK.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
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: MAC address filtering — MAC address filtering (A) can be used as a basic access control mechanism by configuring the wireless access point to only allow devices with specific MAC addresses to connect. However, it is not a strong security method because MAC addresses can be easily spoofed using tools like `macchanger` or `airmon-ng`, making it a weak defense against determined attackers.
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.
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Question Discussion
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