Which Device Monitoring Protocol Provides Authentication and Encryption?
Short answer
D SNMPv3
Question
Key Takeaways
Tests knowledge of network protocol security enhancements, with the common trap being the assumption that general logging tools like Syslog or SIEM inherently provide encrypted device communication.
SNMPv3 is the correct network management protocol when both authentication and encryption are mandatory. Community consensus confirms that unlike legacy protocols, SNMPv3 natively secures monitoring traffic to meet modern security requirements.
Common mistake: Syslog is frequently selected incorrectly because it is heavily used for network logging, but standard Syslog transmits data in plaintext and lacks native authentication or encryption capabilities.
Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
SNMPv3 introduces the User-based Security Model (USM), which explicitly mandates both strong authentication and data privacy (encryption) for network management traffic. This version was specifically engineered to replace the insecure SNMPv1 and v2c standards, making it the ideal choice for monitoring devices while satisfying strict security policies. By enabling MD5/SHA authentication and AES/DES encryption, administrators gain full visibility without exposing credentials or telemetry data.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
SIEM platforms aggregate and correlate logs from various sources but do not function as the underlying transport protocol for device monitoring, nor do they inherently encrypt the management channel by default. Standard Syslog and NetFlow historically transmit collected data in plaintext; while they can be secured via external tunnels like TLS or IPsec, they lack built-in, native authentication and encryption mechanisms comparable to SNMPv3. Consequently, these alternatives fail to meet the exam question’s strict requirement for a solution that natively provides both security features.
Community Comment Notes
Multiple verified candidates confirmed D as the definitive answer, consistently highlighting SNMPv3’s security upgrades over earlier iterations. Comments emphasized that this question tests theoretical protocol capabilities rather than implementation workarounds, aligning perfectly with N10-008 objectives. The unanimous vote distribution and repeated confirmation across threads reinforce that this is a straightforward knowledge-check item focused on protocol selection.
Official Reference
- https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc3411.txt
- https://help.comptia.org/hc/en-us/articles/360050409114-Network-Management-Protocols-SNMP
These links open the official vendor documentation in a new tab.
Exam Strategy
When exam questions specify "authentication and encryption" for network management or monitoring, immediately eliminate plaintext protocols (SNMPv1/v2c, Syslog, Telnet) and select the versioned protocol with enhanced security features. Memorize the security evolution of core protocols to quickly match requirement keywords to the correct protocol version.
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Discussion 3 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.
From public community threads 3
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huradazimi 👍 1 Answered DD. SNMPv3 The solution that provides both authentication and encryption is SNMPv3 (Simple Network Management Protocol version 3). It includes features for secure communication, making it a solid choice for enhancing network visibility while ensuring security.
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Zach123654 👍 3 Answered DSAME QUESTIONS!!!!
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88d4601 👍 2The answer is D
Reader comments & corrections
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