- A
SNMPv3 with authentication and encryption
Why wrong: SNMPv3 is for monitoring, not interactive management.
- B
SSH with public key authentication
Public key authentication is more secure and supports encryption.
- C
HTTPS with self-signed certificate
Why wrong: HTTPS is for web interfaces, not CLI remote access.
- D
SSH with password authentication
Why wrong: Password authentication is vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
Question 897 of 1,000
hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: During a security audit, it is discovered that…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. 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.
During a security audit, it is discovered that network devices are using Telnet for management. Which of the following is the most secure replacement to ensure encrypted remote access?
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
✓
SSH with public key authentication
SSH (Secure Shell) provides encrypted remote access and authentication, replacing the insecure Telnet protocol. Public key authentication adds a second factor (the private key) and is resistant to brute-force password attacks, making it the most secure option for managing network devices.
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.
- ✗
SNMPv3 with authentication and encryption
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv3 is for monitoring, not interactive management.
- ✓
SSH with public key authentication
Why this is correct
Public key authentication is more secure and supports encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
HTTPS with self-signed certificate
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS is for web interfaces, not CLI remote access.
- ✗
SSH with password authentication
Why it's wrong here
Password authentication is vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse SNMPv3's encryption capabilities with remote shell access, or they assume that any encrypted protocol (like HTTPS) is a direct replacement for Telnet, ignoring that SSH is the standard for secure command-line management.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH operates on TCP port 22 and uses a client-server model with key exchange algorithms (e.g., Diffie-Hellman) to establish a secure channel. Public key authentication leverages asymmetric cryptography: the client proves possession of the private key corresponding to a public key stored in the server's authorized_keys file, which prevents password-based attacks like dictionary or brute-force attempts. In real-world deployments, disabling password authentication and using only key-based SSH is a common hardening step in Cisco IOS and other network OS configurations.
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.
Related practice questions
Related SSCP practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Access Controls practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Access Controls.
Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis.
Incident Response and Recovery practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Incident Response and Recovery.
Security Operations and Administration practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Security Operations and Administration.
Cryptography practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Cryptography.
Network and Communications Security practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Network and Communications Security.
Systems and Application Security practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Systems and Application Security.
Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis.
SSCP fundamentals practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP fundamentals.
SSCP scenario practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP scenario.
SSCP troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SSCP questions linked to SSCP troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SSCP practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SSH with public key authentication — SSH (Secure Shell) provides encrypted remote access and authentication, replacing the insecure Telnet protocol. Public key authentication adds a second factor (the private key) and is resistant to brute-force password attacks, making it the most secure option for managing network devices.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More SSCP practice questions
- A company has implemented a new vulnerability scanner and the first scan reports 200 vulnerabilities. The security team…
- A security analyst is reviewing logs and notices multiple failed login attempts from a single IP address against an admi…
- A security manager is evaluating log sources for a SIEM implementation. Which THREE of the following are considered log…
- A vulnerability scanner reports a medium-severity finding on a server. After investigation, the security team determines…
- During a qualitative risk analysis, an organization rates the likelihood of a flood as 'Low' and the impact as 'High'. U…
- A security analyst is tuning a SIEM to reduce false positives. Which of the following actions is most likely to reduce f…
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.