- A
WPA3
WPA3 introduces SAE for more secure key exchange.
- B
WEP
Why wrong: WEP is outdated and provides no forward secrecy.
- C
WPA2 with TKIP
Why wrong: WPA2 uses PSK or 802.1X, not SAE.
- D
WPA2 with CCMP
Why wrong: WPA2-CCMP uses PSK or 802.1X, not SAE.
Question 589 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.
Which wireless security protocol replaces the pre-shared key (PSK) authentication with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) to provide stronger security and forward secrecy?
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
✓
WPA3
WPA3 replaces the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) authentication used in WPA2 with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), defined in IEEE 802.11-2016 and specified in RFC 7664. SAE provides forward secrecy by using a Diffie-Hellman key exchange that ensures even if the long-term password is compromised, past session keys remain secure. This eliminates vulnerabilities to offline dictionary attacks that plague WPA2-PSK.
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.
- ✓
WPA3
Why this is correct
WPA3 introduces SAE for more secure key exchange.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
WEP
Why it's wrong here
WEP is outdated and provides no forward secrecy.
- ✗
WPA2 with TKIP
- ✗
WPA2 with CCMP
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that WPA2 with CCMP is the most secure option because of its AES encryption, but the question specifically targets authentication improvements, not encryption, so candidates overlook that SAE is unique to WPA3.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SAE uses a Dragonfly key exchange based on a finite cyclic group (e.g., elliptic curve or modulo a prime), where both parties derive a shared secret without transmitting the password over the air. This prevents offline dictionary attacks because an attacker cannot verify password guesses without interacting with the network. In practice, WPA3 also mandates Protected Management Frames (PMF) to prevent deauthentication attacks, further hardening the protocol.
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
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Exchange | Signatures | Equivalent Security Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA-3072 | Yes | Yes | 128-bit | Widely deployed; slow for bulk data |
| ECDSA P-256 | No | Yes | 128-bit | Fast signatures; standard TLS certs |
| ECDH / ECDHE | Yes | No | 128-bit | Perfect forward secrecy in TLS 1.3 |
| DH / DHE | Yes | No | 128-bit (3072-bit key) | Replaced by ECDHE in modern TLS |
| Ed25519 | No | Yes | ~128-bit | SSH keys, modern PKI |
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: WPA3 — WPA3 replaces the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) authentication used in WPA2 with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), defined in IEEE 802.11-2016 and specified in RFC 7664. SAE provides forward secrecy by using a Diffie-Hellman key exchange that ensures even if the long-term password is compromised, past session keys remain secure. This eliminates vulnerabilities to offline dictionary attacks that plague WPA2-PSK.
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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