SSCP Cryptography Practice Question
Which protocol is used to provide secure remote shell access and replace Telnet?
⚠ Common exam trap
In the SSCP exam, candidates often confuse SSH (remote shell) with SFTP (file transfer), mistakenly thinking SFTP is a replacement for Telnet when it actually relies on SSH for its secure transport.
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
SSH (Secure Shell) is the correct answer because it provides encrypted remote shell access and command execution, replacing the insecure Telnet protocol which transmits data in cleartext. SSH uses public-key cryptography for authentication and symmetric encryption (e.g., AES, ChaCha20) for session confidentiality, as defined in RFC 4251.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SFTP
Why it's wrong here
SFTP transfers files over SSH but provides no interactive shell session, so it cannot replace Telnet's remote command-line access. It is tempting because it also secures credentials and traffic, and it would be the right choice when the requirement is encrypted file transfer rather than remote shell login.
- ✓
SSH
Why this is correct
SSH encrypts the entire session, including authentication credentials and commands, whereas Telnet transmits them in cleartext. This satisfies the stem's requirement for secure remote shell access and Telnet replacement. Operating over TCP port 22, SSH provides confidentiality and integrity that Telnet fundamentally lacks.
- ✗
IPsec
Why it's wrong here
IPsec secures IP traffic at the network layer, providing VPN tunnels rather than interactive shell sessions. It is tempting because it encrypts remote connectivity, but it cannot deliver the terminal login and command execution that SSH provides to replace Telnet.
- ✗
HTTPS
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS secures web traffic over TLS for browser-to-server communication, not interactive command-line sessions. It is tempting because it encrypts remote access to web interfaces, but it lacks the shell session and authentication channel that SSH supplies as Telnet's replacement.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This SSCP question is part of Courseiva's 971-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on SSCP
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which of the following is a secure protocol for remote administration of a server, replacing insecure protocols like Telnet?
easy- A.FTP
- ✓ B.SSH
- C.HTTP
- D.Telnet
Why B: SSH (Secure Shell) is the correct answer because it provides encrypted remote administration capabilities, replacing insecure protocols like Telnet that transmit data in plaintext. SSH uses public-key cryptography for authentication and symmetric encryption (e.g., AES, ChaCha20) for session confidentiality, protecting against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.
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.