The correct answer is AH (Authentication Header) and ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload). ESP provides both data integrity and confidentiality through encryption and authentication, while AH ensures data integrity and origin authentication but does not encrypt the payload, meaning it offers no confidentiality. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this distinction is frequently tested in VPN and IPsec configuration scenarios, with a common trap being that candidates assume AH also provides confidentiality or that ESP does not offer integrity. A reliable memory tip is to think of “AH for Authentication only, ESP for Everything—Encryption, Security, and Payload protection.”
SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of network and communications security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 network administrator is configuring a VPN using IPsec. Which two protocols are used within IPsec to ensure data integrity and confidentiality? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload)
C is correct because ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) provides both data confidentiality (via encryption) and data integrity (via authentication), making it the primary IPsec protocol for securing payloads. E is correct because AH (Authentication Header) ensures data integrity and origin authentication but does not provide confidentiality, as it does not encrypt the payload. Together, ESP and AH are the two core IPsec protocols that handle integrity and confidentiality, though ESP alone is typically used in modern deployments.
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.
✗
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
Why it's wrong here
SSL is used for secure web traffic and is not part of the IPsec protocol suite.
✗
L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol)
Why it's wrong here
L2TP is a tunneling protocol often used with IPsec for VPNs but does not itself provide security.
✓
ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload)
Why this is correct
ESP provides both confidentiality and integrity, making it essential for data security in IPsec.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
IKE (Internet Key Exchange)
Why it's wrong here
IKE is used to negotiate and manage security associations, not to directly provide integrity or confidentiality.
✓
AH (Authentication Header)
Why this is correct
AH provides integrity and authentication but not confidentiality; however, it is a core IPsec protocol.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse IKE as a protocol that provides data integrity or confidentiality, when in fact it only handles key exchange and SA negotiation, not the actual data protection.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ESP (RFC 4303) uses symmetric encryption algorithms like AES for confidentiality and HMAC-based integrity checks (e.g., HMAC-SHA256) to protect against tampering, while AH (RFC 4302) computes an integrity check value (ICV) over the entire packet, including the IP header, to prevent replay and spoofing. In practice, ESP is often used alone because it can provide both services, whereas AH may be incompatible with NAT due to its protection of the IP header. A real-world scenario is a site-to-site VPN where ESP in tunnel mode encrypts the entire original IP packet, ensuring both confidentiality and integrity across the public internet.
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.
Network and Communications Security — This question tests Network and Communications Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) — C is correct because ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) provides both data confidentiality (via encryption) and data integrity (via authentication), making it the primary IPsec protocol for securing payloads. E is correct because AH (Authentication Header) ensures data integrity and origin authentication but does not provide confidentiality, as it does not encrypt the payload. Together, ESP and AH are the two core IPsec protocols that handle integrity and confidentiality, though ESP alone is typically used in modern deployments.
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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