Quick Answer
The answer is IKEv2 with AES256, as this combination delivers the strongest IPsec/IKE parameters for a VPN gateway under a strict security mandate. IKEv2 is the most secure and modern protocol, offering built-in NAT traversal and mobility support that IKEv1 lacks, while AES256 provides the highest encryption strength available, ensuring data confidentiality and integrity. On the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure VPN gateway configuration and the security policy requirements for site-to-site tunnels—a common trap is choosing IKEv1 with AES128, which is weaker and outdated. Remember the memory tip: “Two-Fifty-Six is the strongest mix”—IKEv2 paired with AES256 always wins for maximum security.
This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure networking. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 is setting up a site-to-site VPN between an on-premises network and an Azure virtual network using an Azure VPN gateway. The security policy mandates that the VPN tunnel must use the strongest available encryption and authentication. Which IPsec/IKE parameter combination should they configure on both sides?
IKEv2 with AES256
This combination offers the strongest encryption and key exchange protocol supported by Azure VPN Gateway.
IKEv1 with DES
Why wrong: DES is a weak encryption algorithm and IKEv1 is less secure than IKEv2.
IKEv2 with 3DES
Why wrong: 3DES is considered weak and deprecated; AES is stronger.
IKEv1 with AES128
Why wrong: IKEv1 is less secure than IKEv2, and AES128 is weaker than AES256.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
IKEv2 with AES256
Option A is correct because IKEv2 is the most secure and modern IPsec/IKE protocol, supporting stronger encryption algorithms like AES256. AES256 provides the highest level of encryption strength among the options, meeting the mandate for the strongest available encryption and authentication. IKEv2 also offers improved resilience and security features over IKEv1, such as built-in NAT traversal and mobility support.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
IKEv2 with AES256
IKEv1 with DES
Why it's wrong here
DES is a weak encryption algorithm and IKEv1 is less secure than IKEv2.
IKEv2 with 3DES
Why it's wrong here
3DES is considered weak and deprecated; AES is stronger.
IKEv1 with AES128
Why it's wrong here
IKEv1 is less secure than IKEv2, and AES128 is weaker than AES256.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume IKEv2 is always the best choice regardless of the encryption algorithm, but the question specifically requires the strongest encryption, so AES256 is mandatory, not just IKEv2.
Detailed technical explanation
Azure VPN Gateway supports multiple IPsec/IKE policies, and for the strongest security, you should configure a custom policy with IKEv2, AES256 for encryption, SHA256 or SHA384 for integrity, and DH Group 14 or higher for Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS). Under the hood, IKEv2 uses fewer message exchanges than IKEv1 (4 vs 6 messages) and supports EAP authentication, making it more efficient and secure. In a real-world scenario, organizations handling sensitive data (e.g., financial or healthcare) must enforce AES256 to comply with regulations like HIPAA or GDPR.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
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Secure networking — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Secure networking — This question tests Secure networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: IKEv2 with AES256 — Option A is correct because IKEv2 is the most secure and modern IPsec/IKE protocol, supporting stronger encryption algorithms like AES256. AES256 provides the highest level of encryption strength among the options, meeting the mandate for the strongest available encryption and authentication. IKEv2 also offers improved resilience and security features over IKEv1, such as built-in NAT traversal and mobility support.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This AZ-500 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 AZ-500 exam.
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