350-401 Question 276
Select 3A network engineer is configuring a wireless network for a small branch office. The network must use a Pre-Shared Key (PSK) for authentication to ensure simplicity while maintaining security. Which of the following considerations should the engineer keep in mind when configuring the PSK?
- A
The PSK should be at least 8 characters long and have a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
- B
The PSK is shared among all users, so it should not be easy to guess or shared publicly.
- C
The PSK can be configured to rotate automatically without requiring manual intervention.
- D
The PSK should be securely distributed to authorized users to prevent unauthorized access.
- E
The PSK provides user-specific authentication and is unique for each user.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answers: A, B, D
Explanation
Pre-Shared Key (PSK) authentication is commonly used in small-scale wireless networks for simplicity. It is critical that the PSK is strong, not easily guessable, and securely distributed to authorized users. However, PSK has limitations, such as being shared among all users and requiring manual updates for rotation. Understanding these considerations is essential to implementing a secure wireless network using PSK.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A strong PSK should meet minimum length requirements and include a mix of character types to enhance security.
- B. Correct.
Correct. Since the PSK is shared among users, it must not be simple or easy to guess, and care must be taken to prevent it from being leaked.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. PSK does not support automatic rotation; it must be manually changed and redistributed to users.
- D. Correct.
Correct. Secure distribution of the PSK is essential to prevent unauthorized access to the network.
- E. Incorrect.
Incorrect. PSK is shared among all users and does not provide user-specific authentication. This is a limitation of PSK-based networks.