The correct action is to disable TLS 1.0 via the registry and configure the cipher suite order in IIS to prefer GCM-based ciphers. This works because TLS protocol versions are controlled through the Schannel registry keys under `HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols`, where setting the 'Enabled' DWORD to 0 for TLS 1.0 disables it, while cipher suite ordering is managed via the 'SchUseStrongCrypto' key or Group Policy to prioritize GCM suites like `TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256`. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cryptographic controls and secure configuration management—a common trap is assuming you must disable CBC ciphers in IIS Manager alone, but the registry controls the underlying Schannel provider. Remember that disabling TLS 1.0 and weak ciphers is a two-step process: protocol version at the OS level, cipher suite order at the application or policy level. A useful memory tip is "Protocols in the Registry, Ciphers in the Order"—always check both layers to enforce GCM-only encryption without breaking TLS 1.2 legacy clients.
SSCP Cryptography Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of cryptography. 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.
An e-commerce company runs its web application on a Windows Server 2019 with IIS 10. The security team runs a vulnerability scan and discovers that the server supports TLS 1.0 and several CBC-mode cipher suites, which are prohibited by the company's security policy. The policy requires disabling all versions of TLS below 1.2 and all cipher suites that do not use GCM mode. The administrator needs to implement the required changes without affecting the application's functionality, as it still needs to support a small number of legacy clients that require TLS 1.2 but not CBC. Which action should the administrator take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Disable TLS 1.0 via the registry and configure the cipher suite order in IIS to prefer GCM-based ciphers.
Option C is correct because the administrator can disable TLS 1.0 via the Windows registry (e.g., by creating the 'Enabled' DWORD under 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.0\Server' and setting it to 0) and then configure the cipher suite order in IIS using the 'SchUseStrongCrypto' registry key or the 'Cipher Suites' group policy to prioritize GCM-based ciphers (e.g., TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256). This directly enforces the policy—disabling TLS below 1.2 and non-GCM ciphers—while still allowing legacy clients that support TLS 1.2 with GCM to connect without breaking functionality.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Upgrade the server to Windows Server 2022, which automatically disables TLS 1.0.
Why it's wrong here
Upgrading is unnecessary; the current OS can be configured.
✗
Implement a reverse proxy with strong TLS configuration and route all traffic through it.
Why it's wrong here
This adds complexity and may not be needed if the server can be configured directly.
✓
Disable TLS 1.0 via the registry and configure the cipher suite order in IIS to prefer GCM-based ciphers.
Why this is correct
This directly implements the policy and only affects prohibited protocols and ciphers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Apply a hotfix from Microsoft that removes TLS 1.0 support.
Why it's wrong here
No such hotfix is required; TLS 1.0 can be disabled manually.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume a reverse proxy or an OS upgrade is required to enforce strong TLS settings, when in fact Windows Server 2019 fully supports disabling TLS 1.0 and configuring cipher suites natively through registry and IIS settings without additional hardware or software.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Windows Schannel manages TLS protocol versions and cipher suites via registry keys under 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols' and 'Ciphers'. Disabling TLS 1.0 requires setting the 'Enabled' DWORD to 0 for both client and server subkeys, while cipher suite order is controlled via the 'CipherSuites' registry key or Group Policy. A common real-world pitfall is that simply disabling TLS 1.0 does not automatically remove CBC ciphers; the administrator must also explicitly remove or deprioritize CBC suites (e.g., TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA) and ensure only GCM suites remain in the enabled list.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Cryptography — This question tests Cryptography — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disable TLS 1.0 via the registry and configure the cipher suite order in IIS to prefer GCM-based ciphers. — Option C is correct because the administrator can disable TLS 1.0 via the Windows registry (e.g., by creating the 'Enabled' DWORD under 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.0\Server' and setting it to 0) and then configure the cipher suite order in IIS using the 'SchUseStrongCrypto' registry key or the 'Cipher Suites' group policy to prioritize GCM-based ciphers (e.g., TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256). This directly enforces the policy—disabling TLS below 1.2 and non-GCM ciphers—while still allowing legacy clients that support TLS 1.2 with GCM to connect without breaking functionality.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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