CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice

What is the primary purpose of Wireless Protected Access (WPA)?

1. A method to replace outdated WEP

2. A comprehensive security standard for wireless networks

3. A protocol for Bluetooth connections

4. A strategy for improving physical network security

The correct answer is: A method to replace outdated WEP

The primary purpose of Wireless Protected Access (WPA) is to provide improved security for wireless networks over the older Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) standard. WPA was specifically designed to address the vulnerabilities associated with WEP, which has been proven to be insufficient for securing wireless data. By introducing stronger encryption methods and authentication processes, WPA significantly enhances the protection of data transmitted over wireless networks. WPA implements techniques such as the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) to dynamically change encryption keys and ensure that eavesdropping or unauthorized access is more difficult. This focus on improving security in comparison to WEP makes the identification of WPA as a method to replace outdated WEP a central aspect of its purpose. The other options, while they touch on relevant concepts related to WPA or network security more broadly, do not accurately capture the primary goal of WPA. WPA is not a comprehensive security standard like its successor WPA2, nor does it pertain to Bluetooth protocols, or physical network security strategies. Its clear focus on improving wireless security by addressing the shortcomings of WEP underscores its foundational role in wireless networking standards.