CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Which method ensures users are authenticated individually in a wireless network?

1. WPA2/3-Personal

2. WPA2/3-Enterprise

3. Open System

4. Ad hoc networks

The correct answer is: WPA2/3-Enterprise

In the context of wireless networks, using WPA2 or WPA3 in an Enterprise mode is significant for ensuring that users are authenticated individually. This method employs an authentication server, typically a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) server, which maintains a database of user credentials. When a user attempts to connect, their credentials are checked against this database, allowing specific user identification and access control based on an individual's authentication credentials. This individual user authentication is crucial for environments where security is paramount, such as corporate networks, as it enables administrators to enforce security policies on a per-user basis and manage user access to resources effectively. In contrast, WPA2/3-Personal uses a pre-shared key (PSK), meaning that all users share the same credential, which does not provide individualized authentication and poses a higher security risk if the shared key is compromised. Open systems lack security entirely, presenting no authentication mechanism, while ad hoc networks are typically less structured and do not inherently support individual user authentication. Thus, WPA2/3-Enterprise stands out as the method that provides robust, individual user authentication in a wireless network setting.