- A
Configure a dedicated guest network on a separate VLAN
Isolating guest traffic on a separate VLAN prevents unauthorized access to internal resources and contains potential threats.
- B
Activate WPS for simplified client setup
Why wrong: WPS has known vulnerabilities (e.g., PIN brute-force) that easily compromise the network; it should always be disabled.
- C
Enable WPA2-PSK with a complex passphrase
Why wrong: WPA2-PSK relies on a shared passphrase, which is susceptible to offline brute-force attacks and is not recommended for enterprise environments due to lack of individual user accountability.
- D
Implement WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS authentication
WPA2-Enterprise uses 802.1X for per-user authentication via RADIUS, providing strong encryption and identity management.
- E
Disable SSID broadcast to hide the network
Why wrong: Disabling SSID broadcast does not provide real security; the SSID can be easily discovered using passive scanning tools, and clients may experience connectivity issues.
Quick Answer
The answer is implementing WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS authentication and placing guest traffic on a separate VLAN. WPA2-Enterprise provides per-user credentials and dynamic encryption keys via RADIUS, which eliminates the shared passphrase vulnerability of WPA2-PSK and prevents unauthorized access, while a separate VLAN for guest traffic logically isolates that traffic from internal corporate resources, reducing the risk of eavesdropping and lateral movement. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this question tests your understanding of enterprise wireless network security best practices, often appearing in scenarios where you must distinguish between small-office solutions and scalable enterprise controls. A common trap is selecting WPA2-PSK with a complex passphrase or disabling SSID broadcast, but remember that SSID hiding is trivial to bypass and PSK lacks individual accountability. For the exam, keep this memory tip: “Enterprise equals RADIUS and VLAN; PSK and hidden SSID are for home, not the plan.”
SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
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 security analyst is reviewing the configuration of an enterprise wireless network. Which TWO of the following are best practices for securing the wireless network against unauthorized access and eavesdropping?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Configure a dedicated guest network on a separate VLAN
WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS provides strong per-user authentication and encryption, mitigating unauthorized access. Placing guest traffic on a separate VLAN segments network traffic and reduces exposure of internal resources. WPA2-PSK with a complex passphrase is acceptable for small networks but not enterprise-grade. Disabling SSID broadcast is not a security control as it can be easily discovered. WPS is known to have severe vulnerabilities and should be disabled.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure a dedicated guest network on a separate VLAN
Why this is correct
Isolating guest traffic on a separate VLAN prevents unauthorized access to internal resources and contains potential threats.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
- ✗
Activate WPS for simplified client setup
Why it's wrong here
WPS has known vulnerabilities (e.g., PIN brute-force) that easily compromise the network; it should always be disabled.
- ✗
Enable WPA2-PSK with a complex passphrase
Why it's wrong here
WPA2-PSK relies on a shared passphrase, which is susceptible to offline brute-force attacks and is not recommended for enterprise environments due to lack of individual user accountability.
- ✓
Implement WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS authentication
- ✗
Disable SSID broadcast to hide the network
Why it's wrong here
Disabling SSID broadcast does not provide real security; the SSID can be easily discovered using passive scanning tools, and clients may experience connectivity issues.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
WPA2-PSK relies on a shared passphrase, which is susceptible to offline brute-force attacks and is not recommended for enterprise environments due to lack of individual user accountability.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SSCP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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Network and Communications Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Network and Communications Security practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Network and Communications Security — This question tests Network and Communications Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure a dedicated guest network on a separate VLAN — WPA2-Enterprise with RADIUS provides strong per-user authentication and encryption, mitigating unauthorized access. Placing guest traffic on a separate VLAN segments network traffic and reduces exposure of internal resources. WPA2-PSK with a complex passphrase is acceptable for small networks but not enterprise-grade. Disabling SSID broadcast is not a security control as it can be easily discovered. WPS is known to have severe vulnerabilities and should be disabled.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SSCP questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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