CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) Practice

Which layer of the OSI Model handles session management?

1. Presentation Layer

2. Network Layer

3. Session Layer

4. Application Layer

The correct answer is: Session Layer

The Session Layer of the OSI Model is specifically responsible for managing sessions between applications. A session is essentially a series of interactions between two communicating systems that can be long-lived or temporary. This layer helps establish, maintain, and terminate these connections, ensuring that data streams flow correctly and are synchronized. It provides services such as session establishment, synchronization, and dialog control, which are critical for managing the ongoing data exchange activities between applications. By handling these functions, the Session Layer allows for organized communication where multiple sessions can coexist without interference. This is essential in scenarios where several connections may be operating simultaneously, as it supports better resource management and efficient communication processes.