Quick Answer
The correct configuration is WPA2-PSK with AES (CCMP). This is the right choice because AES-CCMP is the mandatory encryption protocol for WPA2, providing robust data confidentiality and integrity, whereas TKIP is deprecated due to well-known cryptographic weaknesses. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) exam, this question tests your ability to balance security with legacy compatibility—a common scenario where you must avoid the trap of selecting TKIP for backward compatibility or incorrectly assuming WPA3 is required. The key distinction is that WPA2-PSK with AES (CCMP) delivers the highest security for devices that cannot support WPA3 or an enterprise RADIUS server. A useful memory tip: think “AES is the best, TKIP is the rest”—if a device supports WPA2, it must support AES-CCMP, so always choose AES over TKIP for maximum protection.
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of network and communications security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 security administrator is configuring a wireless network for a branch office. The office has legacy devices that only support WPA2-PSK. The administrator wants to provide the highest level of security while maintaining compatibility. Which configuration should be used?
WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS
Why wrong: Legacy devices may not support 802.1X authentication.
WPA2-PSK with AES (CCMP)
AES is the strongest encryption available for WPA2 and is supported by most devices.
WPA3-SAE only
Why wrong: Legacy devices do not support WPA3.
WPA2-PSK with TKIP
Why wrong: TKIP is deprecated and less secure than AES.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
WPA2-PSK with AES (CCMP)
WPA2-PSK with AES (CCMP) is correct because it provides the highest security level compatible with legacy devices that only support WPA2-PSK. AES-CCMP is the mandatory encryption protocol for WPA2, offering strong data confidentiality and integrity, whereas TKIP is deprecated due to known vulnerabilities. This configuration avoids the need for a RADIUS server (required by WPA2-Enterprise) and does not force an upgrade to WPA3, which legacy devices cannot support.
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.
WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS
Why it's wrong here
Legacy devices may not support 802.1X authentication.
WPA2-PSK with AES (CCMP)
Why this is correct
AES is the strongest encryption available for WPA2 and is supported by most devices.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
WPA3-SAE only
Why it's wrong here
Legacy devices do not support WPA3.
WPA2-PSK with TKIP
Why it's wrong here
TKIP is deprecated and less secure than AES.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume WPA2-Enterprise is always more secure than WPA2-PSK, but the question explicitly requires compatibility with legacy devices that only support WPA2-PSK, making WPA2-Enterprise an invalid choice despite its stronger authentication model.
Detailed technical explanation
AES-CCMP (Counter Mode with Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol) is based on the AES block cipher operating in CCM mode, providing both encryption and integrity verification. In WPA2-PSK, the pre-shared key is derived from a passphrase and SSID via PBKDF2, generating a 256-bit PMK. A subtle real-world scenario: some legacy devices may only support TKIP in their firmware, but if they claim WPA2 compliance, they must support AES-CCMP per the Wi-Fi Alliance certification; however, older or poorly implemented devices might still require TKIP, forcing a trade-off between security and compatibility.
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
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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: WPA2-PSK with AES (CCMP) — WPA2-PSK with AES (CCMP) is correct because it provides the highest security level compatible with legacy devices that only support WPA2-PSK. AES-CCMP is the mandatory encryption protocol for WPA2, offering strong data confidentiality and integrity, whereas TKIP is deprecated due to known vulnerabilities. This configuration avoids the need for a RADIUS server (required by WPA2-Enterprise) and does not force an upgrade to WPA3, which legacy devices cannot support.
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 11, 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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