This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. ``` # Security policy snippet crypto isakmp policy 10 authentication pre-share encryption aes 256 hash sha256 group 14 lifetime 86400 ```
Refer to the exhibit. A network engineer is configuring an IPsec VPN. Which protocol does this configuration apply to?
Refer to the exhibit. ``` # Security policy snippet crypto isakmp policy 10 authentication pre-share encryption aes 256 hash sha256 group 14 lifetime 86400 ```
HTTPS
Why wrong: HTTPS uses SSL/TLS, not ISAKMP.
SSH
Why wrong: SSH is a secure shell protocol, not configured this way.
SSL/TLS
Why wrong: SSL/TLS uses different commands and is not configured via 'crypto isakmp'.
IKE (Internet Key Exchange)
ISAKMP is the framework for IKE, used in IPsec VPNs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
IKE (Internet Key Exchange)
The configuration shown in the exhibit is for an IPsec VPN, which relies on IKE (Internet Key Exchange) to establish security associations and negotiate cryptographic keys. IKE (RFC 7296) is the mandatory key management protocol for IPsec, handling authentication and key exchange over UDP ports 500 and 4500. Without IKE, IPsec cannot dynamically negotiate the encryption and hashing parameters required for secure tunnel establishment.
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.
HTTPS
SSH
Why it's wrong here
SSH is a secure shell protocol, not configured this way.
SSL/TLS
Why it's wrong here
SSL/TLS uses different commands and is not configured via 'crypto isakmp'.
IKE (Internet Key Exchange)
Why this is correct
ISAKMP is the framework for IKE, used in IPsec VPNs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse SSL/TLS with IPsec because both are used for VPNs, but SSL/TLS VPNs operate at the transport layer (e.g., OpenVPN) while IPsec VPNs require IKE for key exchange at the network layer.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
SSL/TLS uses different commands and is not configured via 'crypto isakmp'.
Detailed technical explanation
IKE operates in two phases: Phase 1 establishes a secure authenticated channel (using either Main Mode or Aggressive Mode) to protect further negotiations, while Phase 2 negotiates the specific IPsec security associations (SAs) for data traffic. IKEv2 (RFC 7296) simplifies this process by combining both phases into a single exchange and adds built-in NAT traversal and mobility support. In real-world deployments, misconfigured IKE parameters (e.g., mismatched Diffie-Hellman groups or authentication methods) are a common cause of IPsec tunnel failures.
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.
Quick reference
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
What to study next
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FAQ
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The correct answer is: IKE (Internet Key Exchange) — The configuration shown in the exhibit is for an IPsec VPN, which relies on IKE (Internet Key Exchange) to establish security associations and negotiate cryptographic keys. IKE (RFC 7296) is the mandatory key management protocol for IPsec, handling authentication and key exchange over UDP ports 500 and 4500. Without IKE, IPsec cannot dynamically negotiate the encryption and hashing parameters required for secure tunnel establishment.
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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