Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What security standard is used to secure VPN connections over a public network?

1. SSL

2. TLS

3. IPsec

4. SSH

The correct answer is: IPsec

IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a widely used security standard for securing VPN connections over public networks. It provides a framework for encrypting and authenticating all traffic at the IP layer. By utilizing protocols for encryption and integrity, IPsec ensures that the data being transmitted over the internet is protected against eavesdropping and tampering. One of the key features of IPsec is its ability to establish secure communication channels between two network points, making it particularly suitable for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). It can operate in two modes: transport mode, which encrypts only the payload of the IP packet, and tunnel mode, which encrypts the entire packet. Other options, while relevant to various aspects of network security, do not primarily serve the same function as IPsec when it comes to securing VPN connections. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) are typically used for securing web traffic and application-specific connections rather than for establishing VPNs. SSH (Secure Shell) is mainly designed for secure remote login and command execution rather than for creating VPN tunnels. Thus, IPsec is the most appropriate choice for ensuring the security of VPN connections over a public network.