WAN Security

5 minutes 5 Questions

WAN Security refers to the measures and techniques employed to protect a wide area network from various security threats, such as unauthorized access, data breaches, and denial-of-service attacks. Implementing WAN security is critical to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the network and the data that it transmits. Some common WAN security practices include implementing strong authentication and access control mechanisms, deploying firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems, securing data using encryption and virtual private networks (VPNs), and regularly monitoring and auditing network activity to detect and mitigate potential threats and vulnerabilities.

CompTIA Network+ WAN Security Guide

A wide area network (WAN) spans a large geographic area and usually connects multiple local area networks (LANs). WAN security aims to protect data from threats like unauthorized access, data corruption, and data breaches.

Why it is important:
As WANs transmit sensitive business data across large distances, security is essential in preventing unauthorized access and maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the data.

What it is and How it works:
WAN security involves deploying security devices and policies for network protection. This includes firewalls to block unauthorized access, encryption to protect data in transit, and VPNs for secure remote access.

Exam Tips - Answering Questions on WAN Security:
1. Understand the concepts: You need to understand the basic concepts of WAN, its purpose, and the importance of security.
2. Know the security measures: Be familiar with common WAN security measures like IPS/IDS, firewalls, and encryption.
3. Use specific terminology: Use terminology associated with WAN and network security accurately in your responses.
4. Real-world applications: Applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios can help in better understanding and answering questions on this topic.

Test mode:

Exam (Timed)

Practice (With explanations)

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Question 1

A network engineer finds that encrypted traffic is causing latency issues with the VoIP system across a company's WAN. Which solution should they consider?

Disable encryption for VoIP traffic Implement QoS for VoIP traffic Change VoIP codec Enable QoS for all encrypted traffic

Correct Answer: Implement QoS for VoIP traffic

The best solution would be to implement QoS (Quality of Service) for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) traffic. QoS is a feature of routers and switches which prioritizes traffic so that more important traffic can pass first, resolving latency issues. This method does not involve disabling encryption (which can risk security), changing the VoIP codec (it's not guaranteed to help as it doesn't deal with network congestion), or enabling QoS for all encrypted traffic (inefficient as not all encrypted traffic is equally important). Hence, focusing QoS on VoIP traffic is the most efficient and effective solution.

Question 2

A network administrator needs to monitor a WAN link for potential security breaches. Which device should they use?

ASA IDS DPI NAT

Correct Answer: IDS

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is the correct choice for monitoring a WAN link for potential security breaches. IDS are designed to detect malicious activities or policy violations in a network. They provide real-time monitoring of network traffic, looking for suspicious activities, which is exactly what a network administrator would need in this case. The other answers are incorrect because they serve different purposes in a network environment. An ASA (Adaptive Security Appliance) is a security device that combines firewall, antivirus, and intrusion prevention capabilities, but it is not specifically designed to monitor a WAN link for potential security breaches. A NAT (Network Address Translation) is used to remap one IP address space into another, helping to improve security and decrease the number of IP addresses an organization needs, but it does not monitor a network for potential breaches. DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) is a type of data processing that inspects in detail the data being sent over a computer network, but it is more about managing network resources and not particularly a tool for security monitoring.

Question 3

After a security audit, a company needs to protect their network from unauthorized access via their WAN connection. Which solution should they choose?

Use network segmentation Upgrade the WAN link's bandwidth Disable remote access Implement a firewall

Correct Answer: Implement a firewall

The best solution for the company to protect their network from unauthorized access via their WAN connection is to 'Implement a firewall'. A firewall is a security system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It is a barrier that checks all incoming and outgoing traffic and permits or blocks data packets based on a set of security rules. In comparison, 'Use network segmentation' could be a part of the security strategy, but it would not prevent unauthorized access on its own. 'Upgrade the WAN link's bandwidth' would not affect network security and could even make the network more attractive to attackers. 'Disable remote access' could be too restrictive and not practical for businesses that require remote work or have multiple locations. Thus, the best solution is 'Implement a firewall'.

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