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SSCP Practice Question: Enforce network access control (NAC) for both…
A company wants to enforce network access control (NAC) for both wired and wireless devices. Which protocol is used for this purpose?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse EAP (a framework) with 802.1X (the protocol that enforces NAC), leading candidates to pick EAP because it is directly involved in authentication, but it does not control network access itself.
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
✓
802.1X
802.1X is the IEEE standard for port-based network access control (NAC) that authenticates devices before granting access to both wired and wireless networks. It operates at the data link layer and uses an authentication server (e.g., RADIUS) to validate credentials, ensuring only authorized devices connect to the network.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
802.1X
Why this is correct
802.1X provides port-based network access control, authenticating devices via EAP before granting Layer 2 connectivity. It applies uniformly to wired switch ports and wireless associations, satisfying the requirement to enforce NAC across both media through a single authentication framework.
- ✗
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
Why it's wrong here
SNMP monitors and manages device statistics and traps; it carries no supplicant authentication exchange, so ports cannot be admitted or denied. SNMP is correct for polling interface counters or receiving alerts, not for controlling network admission.
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EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol)
Why it's wrong here
EAP is the authentication framework carried inside 802.1X, not the enforcement protocol itself; it defines exchange methods but not port admission. EAP is correct when selecting an authentication method such as EAP-TLS within an existing 802.1X deployment.
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PAP (Password Authentication Protocol)
Why it's wrong here
PAP transmits credentials in cleartext and performs no port-based admission decision, so it cannot enforce NAC on wired or wireless endpoints. It is tempting because it authenticates users, but that scenario needs 802.1X with EAP and a RADIUS server, not a password exchange protocol.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.