- A
WEP with 128-bit key
Why wrong: WEP is broken and should not be used.
- B
WPA2-PSK with TKIP
Why wrong: TKIP is deprecated and vulnerable.
- C
WPA2-PSK with AES
Why wrong: WPA2-PSK with AES is secure but not as strong as WPA3.
- D
WPA3-SAE
WPA3-SAE offers the strongest encryption and authentication.
Question 401 of 1,000
easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
WPA3-SAE Provides the Best Security for Wi-Fi Networks
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of secure wireless communication for guests. 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.
A company wants to secure wireless communication for guests. Which protocol provides the strongest encryption for a wireless network?
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
✓
WPA3-SAE
WPA3-SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) provides the strongest encryption for wireless networks, using 128-bit AES in CCMP mode for encryption and replacing the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) exchange with a more secure handshake that resists offline dictionary attacks. This makes it the most secure option among the choices, especially for guest networks where authentication security is critical.
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.
- ✗
WEP with 128-bit key
Why it's wrong here
WEP is broken and should not be used.
- ✗
WPA2-PSK with TKIP
Why it's wrong here
TKIP is deprecated and vulnerable.
- ✗
WPA2-PSK with AES
- ✓
WPA3-SAE
Why this is correct
WPA3-SAE offers the strongest encryption and authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume WPA2-PSK with AES is the strongest because it uses AES encryption, but they overlook the vulnerability of the PSK authentication method to offline dictionary attacks, which WPA3-SAE specifically addresses with SAE.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WPA3-SAE uses a Dragonfly handshake (based on Diffie-Hellman key exchange) to provide forward secrecy, meaning that even if the passphrase is later compromised, past session keys remain secure. In real-world deployments, this is critical for guest networks where users may have weak passwords, as WPA3-SAE prevents attackers from capturing the handshake and cracking it offline. The protocol also mandates 128-bit AES-CCMP encryption, ensuring data confidentiality and integrity at the same level as WPA2 but with a more robust authentication mechanism.
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.
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 |
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.
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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: WPA3-SAE — WPA3-SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) provides the strongest encryption for wireless networks, using 128-bit AES in CCMP mode for encryption and replacing the Pre-Shared Key (PSK) exchange with a more secure handshake that resists offline dictionary attacks. This makes it the most secure option among the choices, especially for guest networks where authentication security is critical.
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.
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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.
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