mediumMultiple Choice
SSCP Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. ! IPsec IKEv2 configuration crypto ikev2 proposal 1 encryption aes-cbc-256 integrity sha-256 group 14 !
Refer to the exhibit. What is the purpose of the 'group 14' parameter in the IKEv2 proposal?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that candidates often misinterpret 'group' as referring to an integrity or encryption algorithm due to its usage in other networking contexts (e.g., router configuration for routing protocols), but in IKEv2 proposals it specifically denotes the Diffie-Hellman group used for key exchange.
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
✓
Sets the Diffie-Hellman group for key exchange
In IKEv2 proposals, the 'group 14' parameter specifies the Diffie-Hellman (DH) group used for the key exchange process. DH group 14 corresponds to a 2048-bit modular exponentiation group, which provides the cryptographic strength for establishing a shared secret over an insecure channel. This is distinct from encryption, integrity, or authentication parameters.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Defines the integrity checking method
Why it's wrong here
Group 14 denotes the 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman modular-exponentiation group used for key agreement, not an integrity algorithm; integrity is defined by parameters such as AUTH_HMAC_SHA2_256. It tempts because IKEv2 proposals bundle hash-based integrity settings alongside the DH group in the same configuration block.
- ✗
Specifies the encryption algorithm
Why it's wrong here
Group 14 (2048-bit MODP) is the Diffie-Hellman group defining key-exchange strength, not an encryption algorithm; encryption is set by parameters such as ENCR_AES_CBC. It tempts because proposals list several algorithm parameters together, but group numbers always denote DH modular-exponentiation groups used for deriving shared keys.
- ✓
Sets the Diffie-Hellman group for key exchange
Why this is correct
Group 14 in an IKEv2 proposal specifies the Diffie-Hellman modular exponentiation group (2048-bit MODP) used during Phase 1 to derive the shared secret. It therefore governs the strength of the key exchange itself, not encryption or integrity algorithms, which are defined by separate proposal parameters.
- ✗
Indicates the authentication method
Why it's wrong here
Group 14 specifies the Diffie-Hellman group used for key exchange, not authentication; peer authentication is handled by methods such as pre-shared keys, certificates or EAP. It tempts because proposals group several security parameters together, so a numbered group can be mistaken for an identity-verification setting.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| 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.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every SSCP question from scratch — 971 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.