Quick Answer
The correct answer is split tunnel VPN. This configuration satisfies the security policy because it creates an encrypted tunnel exclusively for traffic destined for the corporate network, while all other internet-bound traffic exits directly from the remote device to the public internet, bypassing the corporate VPN gateway entirely. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this question tests your understanding of VPN architectures and how they align with specific security requirements—a common trap is assuming that a full tunnel VPN is always more secure, but that would force all internet traffic through the corporate network, increasing latency and bandwidth load unnecessarily. Remember the memory tip: “Split sends sensitive traffic through the tunnel, full funnels everything through the funnel.”
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of network and communications security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 company is implementing a VPN for remote employees. The security policy requires that all traffic from the remote device to the corporate network be encrypted, but internet-bound traffic should go directly to the internet. Which VPN configuration should be used?
Remote Desktop Gateway
Why wrong: RD Gateway is for RDP connections, not general VPN.
Split tunnel VPN
Split tunnel allows direct internet access while encrypting corporate-bound traffic.
Host-to-host VPN
Why wrong: This is not a common VPN configuration for remote access.
Full tunnel VPN
Why wrong: Full tunnel sends all traffic through the VPN, not just corporate traffic.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Split tunnel VPN
A split tunnel VPN configuration allows remote users to access the corporate network securely over an encrypted tunnel while simultaneously sending internet-bound traffic directly to the internet without passing through the corporate VPN gateway. This meets the security policy requirement because only traffic destined for the corporate network is encrypted, reducing latency and bandwidth load on the VPN concentrator.
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.
Remote Desktop Gateway
Split tunnel VPN
Why this is correct
Split tunnel allows direct internet access while encrypting corporate-bound traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Host-to-host VPN
Why it's wrong here
This is not a common VPN configuration for remote access.
Full tunnel VPN
Why it's wrong here
Full tunnel sends all traffic through the VPN, not just corporate traffic.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the misconception that 'all traffic must be encrypted for security,' leading candidates to choose full tunnel VPN (Option D) when the question explicitly states internet-bound traffic should go directly to the internet, which split tunneling uniquely supports.
Detailed technical explanation
Split tunneling is typically implemented by configuring routing tables on the VPN client to send corporate subnet traffic (e.g., 10.0.0.0/8) through the encrypted tunnel interface while using the default gateway for all other traffic. This can be achieved with IPsec or SSL/TLS VPNs, and the split-tunnel configuration is often defined in the VPN client profile (e.g., using a .ovpn file for OpenVPN or a network policy for Cisco AnyConnect). A subtle behavior is that split tunneling can expose the remote device to internet-based attacks if the device lacks a firewall, which is why some organizations enforce full tunneling for compliance.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
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FAQ
Network and Communications Security — This question tests Network and Communications Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Split tunnel VPN — A split tunnel VPN configuration allows remote users to access the corporate network securely over an encrypted tunnel while simultaneously sending internet-bound traffic directly to the internet without passing through the corporate VPN gateway. This meets the security policy requirement because only traffic destined for the corporate network is encrypted, reducing latency and bandwidth load on the VPN concentrator.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
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