SSCP Network and Communications Security Practice Question
Which of the following is a secure remote access VPN protocol that uses TLS for encryption and is commonly used with Cisco AnyConnect?
⚠ Common exam trap
SSCP often tests the confusion between IPsec and SSL/TLS VPNs — candidates see 'Cisco AnyConnect' and pick IPsec because AnyConnect supports both, missing that the question specifies TLS.
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
✓
SSL/TLS VPN
An SSL/TLS VPN uses TLS (typically over TCP port 443) to encrypt traffic and is the protocol underlying Cisco AnyConnect, which is a classic example of a client-based SSL VPN. It provides secure remote access without requiring IPsec's UDP ports, making it firewall-friendly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
IPsec
Why it's wrong here
IPsec operates at the network layer and negotiates its own encryption via IKE, rather than using TLS, so it does not satisfy the stem's TLS requirement. It is tempting because IPsec is a legitimate secure remote access VPN protocol, and would be correct if the question asked about a protocol independent of TLS or Cisco AnyConnect.
- ✓
SSL/TLS VPN
Why this is correct
SSL/TLS VPN tunnels traffic over port 443, so it traverses firewalls that block IPsec's ESP and IKE ports. Cisco AnyConnect is Cisco's SSL/TLS VPN client, satisfying the stem's requirement for a TLS-encrypted remote access protocol commonly paired with AnyConnect.
- ✗
L2TP/IPsec
Why it's wrong here
L2TP carries no encryption of its own; it relies on IPsec, which uses IKE and ESP rather than TLS, so it cannot satisfy the TLS requirement. It is tempting because L2TP/IPsec is a legitimate, widely deployed remote access VPN, and would be correct if the question asked for a tunnelling protocol paired with IPsec.
- ✗
PPTP
Why it's wrong here
PPTP encrypts with MPPE over GRE, not TLS, and its MS-CHAPv2 authentication is cryptographically broken, so it cannot satisfy a TLS-based secure remote access requirement. It is tempting because PPTP is simple to deploy on legacy Windows clients, where it would suffice only for low-risk tunnelling without confidentiality guarantees.
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.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
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.