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SSCP Practice Question: An administrator configures a Kerberos…
An administrator configures a Kerberos authentication system. After implementation, users are able to authenticate but cannot access network resources. The administrator verifies that the client time is synchronized with the KDC. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
ISC2 often tests the distinction between authentication (TGT acquisition) and authorization (service ticket issuance), leading candidates to incorrectly focus on firewall rules or password expiration instead of the missing SPN.
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
✓
The service principal name (SPN) is not registered
The most likely cause is that the service principal name (SPN) is not registered. In Kerberos, the SPN uniquely identifies a network service instance and is required for the KDC to issue a service ticket. Even though users can authenticate (obtain a TGT), without a properly registered SPN, the KDC cannot grant a ticket for the target service, preventing access to network resources.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The service principal name (SPN) is not registered
Why this is correct
Without a proper SPN, the KDC cannot issue a service ticket.
- ✗
The user’s password is expired
Why it's wrong here
They successfully authenticated, so password is valid.
- ✗
The firewall blocks port 88
Why it's wrong here
Port 88 is for Kerberos authentication; they authenticated, so it's open.
- ✗
The TGT lifetime has expired
Why it's wrong here
They just authenticated, so TGT is valid.
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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.