CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) — Question 1035

A system administrator wants to provide balance between the security of a wireless network and usability. The administrator is concerned with wireless encryption compatibility of older devices used by some employees. Which of the following would provide strong security and backward compatibility when accessing the wireless network?

Answer options

• A. Open wireless network and SSL VPN
• B. WPA using a preshared key
• C. WPA2 using a RADIUS back-end for 802.1x authentication
• D. WEP with a 40-bit key

Correct answer: B

Explanation

WPA using a preshared key (option B) provides a good balance of security and compatibility with older devices, making it a suitable choice. WPA2 (option C) offers stronger security but may not be compatible with all legacy devices. An open network (option A) lacks security, and WEP (option D) is outdated and insecure, making both options unsuitable.