Free 312-38 Practice Test Questions and Answers (2026)

The star topology is the most suitable for accommodating an increasing number of employees

because it allows for easy addition of new nodes or computers without disrupting the existing

network. In a star topology, each node is independently connected to a central hub. If a new

employee is added, they can be connected to the hub without affecting the other nodes. This

topology also simplifies troubleshooting, as each connection can be individually assessed without

taking down the entire network. Furthermore, the star topology is known for its scalability and

robustness, making it ideal for a growing company like Geon Solutions INC.

Reference: The information aligns with the best practices for expanding business networks as

described in the EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) program, which emphasizes the

importance of a scalable and robust network topology for business growth12. Additionally, industry

sources confirm that the star topology is recommended for large business offices due to its simplicity,

scalability, and ease of expansion

WPA3, or Wi-Fi Protected Access 3, is the latest security certification program developed by the Wi-Fi

Alliance that provides enhanced password protection, secured IoT connections, and encompasses

stronger encryption techniques. WPA3 introduces several enhancements over its predecessor, WPA2,

including:

Better protection for simple passwords: WPA3-Personal uses the Simultaneous Authentication of

Equals (SAE) which provides protection against password guessing attacks even when users choose

simpler passwords.

Enhanced encryption for personal networks: It employs individualized data encryption to protect

against eavesdropping on Wi-Fi networks, and it uses a more secure encryption algorithm,

Galois/Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP-256), compared to the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

used in WPA2.

Improved security protocols for enterprise networks: WPA3-Enterprise offers the equivalent of 192-

bit cryptographic strength, providing additional layers of authentication and data protection for

enterprise networks.

Wi-Fi Enhanced Open for open networks: This feature encrypts traffic on open networks without

requiring a password, increasing the privacy and security of users connecting to public Wi-Fi

hotspots.

Reference: These details are based on the latest information available on WPA3’s impact on IoT

device security and its comparison to WPA2123.

Unstructured threats typically originate from individuals who lack advanced skills or a sophisticated

understanding of network systems. These threats often involve simple methods to disrupt network

operations, such as basic malware attacks or exploiting known vulnerabilities that have not been

patched. In the context of the Certified Network Defender (CND) program, unstructured threats are

recognized as those that can be caused by unskilled individuals who may inadvertently introduce

risks to the network through misconfigurations or inadequate security practices.

Reference: The Certified Network Defender (CND) curriculum addresses various types of threats,

including unstructured threats, and emphasizes the importance of securing networks against all

levels of skill and sophistication among potential attackers12. It also covers the need for continuous

monitoring and the implementation of security best practices to mitigate the risks posed by both

unstructured and structured threats34.

Larry is placing the new email server in a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). A DMZ is a physical or logical

subnetwork that contains and exposes an organization’s external-facing services to an untrusted

network, usually the internet. The purpose of a DMZ is to add an additional layer of security to an

organization’s local area network (LAN); an external attacker only has access to equipment in the

DMZ, rather than any other part of the network. The email server placed in the DMZ can be accessed

from the internet, but it does not have direct access to the internal network, which reduces the risk

of an internal security breach if the email server is compromised.

Reference: The concept of a DMZ is covered in the EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (C|ND)

program, which teaches network administrators how to secure their networks against threats. The

C|ND program includes strategies for protecting network infrastructure and creating secure

architectures, which involves the use of DMZs123.

The RAID level used here is RAID 1, which is also known as disk mirroring. In this setup, all the data

written to one disk is automatically copied to another disk, creating an exact duplicate of the data.

This ensures that if one disk fails, the data is still available on the other disk, providing redundancy

and protecting against data loss. RAID 1 is a common choice for systems where data availability and

integrity are critical.

Reference: This explanation is consistent with the principles outlined in the EC-Council’s Certified

Network Defender (CND) course materials, which describe RAID 1 as a configuration that duplicates

data across multiple disks to ensure redundancy and data availability1.

The False Positive rate (FPR) is a measure used in statistics and network security to evaluate the

performance of a security system. It is calculated by dividing the number of false positives (FP) by the

sum of false positives (FP) and true negatives (TN). The formula is represented as:

FPR=FP+TNFP

This rate indicates how often benign activities are incorrectly flagged as malicious, which is crucial for

a network administrator like Daniel to understand the reliability of the security measures

implemented.

Reference: The formula for calculating the False Positive rate is standard across various cybersecurity

frameworks and is aligned with the Certified Network Defender (CND) course objectives that cover

the evaluation of security system performance metrics. For further details, Daniel can refer to the

CND study guide and materials that discuss the interpretation and implications of the False Positive

rate in network security.

In an infrastructure network topology, all wireless devices communicate through an access

point/base station. The access point serves as the central transmitter and receiver of wireless radio

signals. Mainstream wireless APs support the configuration of the same channel name (frequency)

and SSID (Service Set Identifier) to facilitate seamless communication between devices. This setup is

essential for devices to identify and connect to the correct network, especially in environments

where multiple networks may overlap.

Reference: The information aligns with standard networking practices and the objectives of the EC-

Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) program, which emphasizes understanding and

implementing network security controls and protocols.

The SOC manager reviewing logs in AlienVault USM to investigate an intrusion is employing a

reactive approach. This approach is characterized by actions taken in response to an event or incident

that has already occurred. In this context, the SOC manager is analyzing the logs to understand the

intrusion after it has been detected, which is a form of reactive security measure.

Reference: The use of AlienVault USM for log review and intrusion investigation is a common practice

in Security Operations Centers (SOCs) as part of their incident response procedures, which is a

reactive approach to cybersecurity threats1.

The countermeasures to deal with future malware incidents involve a multi-layered approach that

includes:

Complying with the company’s security policies: Ensuring that all security policies are followed can

prevent malware incidents by maintaining a secure network environment.

Implementing strong authentication schemes: Strong authentication can prevent unauthorized

access, reducing the risk of malware being introduced by attackers.

Implementing a strong password policy: Robust password policies can deter attackers by making it

more difficult to gain access through brute force or other password-related attacks.

Install antivirus software: Antivirus software is essential for detecting, preventing, and removing

malware from the network.

These measures align with the Certified Network Defender (CND) program’s emphasis on a defense-

in-depth strategy, which includes protecting endpoints, data, and networks, as well as continuous

threat monitoring and response123.

Reference:

Certified Network Defender (CND) course material and study guide.

EC-Council’s official Certified Network Defender (CND) resources123.

WPA5 is not a standard term used in the industry, and there seems to be a confusion or typo in the

question. However, based on the context of Wi-Fi security and encryption, the closest relevant

standard is WPA3, which uses AES-GCMP 256 as its encryption algorithm. WPA3 is the successor to

WPA2 and provides enhanced security features. It uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with

Galois/Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP) 256-bit encryption, which offers a higher level of security

than the previous encryption methods used in WPA2, such as AES-CCMP. AES-GCMP 256 provides

robust protection against various attacks and is designed to work efficiently on a wide range of

devices, including those with limited processing capabilities.

Reference: The information provided is based on the current understanding of Wi-Fi security

protocols, specifically the WPA3 standard, which is known to use AES-GCMP 256-bit encryption123.

Lyle’s requirements indicate the need for a network-wide solution that is easy to implement and

capable of dropping malicious packets to prevent external attacks. A Network Intrusion Prevention

System (NIPS) is designed to be deployed across the network to inspect traffic and take action based

on predefined security policies, such as dropping malicious packets. NIPS solutions are generally

easier to manage and deploy compared to Host Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS), which require

installation on individual endpoints. Moreover, NIPS can provide a centralized security solution for all

the network nodes and workstation nodes that Lyle is concerned about, making it a suitable choice

for his medium-sized company.

Reference: The Certified Network Defender (CND) course by EC-Council emphasizes the importance

of understanding and using IDS/IPS technologies to protect, detect, respond, and predict network

security incidents1. The course also covers the protect, detect, respond, and predict approach to

network security, which aligns with the capabilities of a NIPS solution23.

As a first responder to a suspected DoS incident, the initial reaction should be to make an initial

assessment. This involves quickly evaluating the situation to understand the scope and impact of the

incident. An initial assessment helps in determining whether the unusual traffic is indeed a DoS

attack or a false positive. It also aids in deciding the next steps, such as whether to escalate the

incident, what resources are required, and how to communicate the issue to relevant stakeholders.

Reference: The approach aligns with best practices for incident response, which emphasize the

importance of an initial assessment to understand the nature and extent of a security incident before

proceeding with further actions123.

A mantrap is a physical security mechanism designed to control access to a secure area through a

small space with two sets of interlocking doors. It is an effective measure to prevent unauthorized

access, as it allows only one person to pass through at a time after authentication, thereby stopping

any attempt at ‘tailgating’ or ‘piggybacking’ where an unauthorized individual might try to follow an

authorized person into a restricted zone.

Reference: The concept of a mantrap as a physical security control is aligned with the EC-Council’s

Certified Network Defender (CND) program, which covers the protect, detect, respond, and predict

approach to network security. The CND program emphasizes the importance of various security

controls, including physical security measures, to safeguard against unauthorized access and ensure

the integrity of the network environment12.

Switch-based network monitoring requires additional monitoring software or hardware because

switches operate at the data link layer of the OSI model and do not inherently provide monitoring

capabilities. To monitor traffic through a switch, network administrators must use port mirroring or a

network tap, which involves configuring the switch to send a copy of the network packets to a

monitoring device. This allows the monitoring device to analyze the traffic passing through the

switch without interfering with the network’s normal operation. This technique is essential for deep

packet inspection, intrusion detection systems, and for gaining visibility into the traffic between

devices in a switched network.

Reference: The need for extra monitoring software or hardware in switch-based network monitoring

is consistent with the Certified Network Defender (CND) curriculum, which emphasizes the

importance of implementing robust network monitoring practices to detect and respond to security

threats12. Additionally, the use of port mirroring and network taps as methods to monitor switch-

based networks is a standard practice in network security, aligning with the CND’s focus on technical

network security measures34.

The risk treatment process that includes not allowing the use of laptops in an organization to ensure

its security is known as risk avoidance. Risk avoidance is a strategy that involves identifying a

potential risk and making the decision to not engage in the activity that presents the risk. In the

context of information security, this could mean choosing not to use certain technologies or systems

that could pose a security threat. By not using laptops, an organization can avoid the risks associated

with loss, theft, or unauthorized access that laptops, being portable, are particularly susceptible to.

Reference: The answer aligns with the principles of risk management in network security, as outlined

in the Certified Network Defender (CND) course by EC-Council, which emphasizes understanding and

applying the appropriate risk treatment strategies, including avoidance, mitigation, transfer, and

acceptance.

Prioritizing incidents based on their potential technical effect ensures that the most critical issues are

addressed first, minimizing the impact on the organization's operations. In this scenario:

An inability to connect to the main server could indicate a network-wide issue that affects many

users and services, potentially disrupting key operations.

A single employee unable to log in, while important, is typically less critical compared to a network-

wide server issue.

By assessing the potential technical effect, Byron can determine that resolving the main server

connectivity issue should take precedence over the individual login problem. This approach helps

maintain the overall health and functionality of the network.

Reference:

EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) Study Guide

Incident Management Best Practices

The password cracking attempt described involves the use of Rainbow tables. A Rainbow table is a

precomputed table for reversing cryptographic hash functions, primarily for cracking password

hashes. These tables store a mapping between the hash of a password and the correct password for

that hash, allowing for quick retrieval of the plaintext password if the hash is known. This method is

efficient for cracking passwords because it avoids the time-consuming process of computing hashes

on the fly during an attack.

Reference: Rainbow tables are a well-known tool in password cracking that leverage precomputed

hash values to expedite the cracking process1. They are particularly useful when dealing with

standard hashing algorithms where salting is not used, as they can significantly reduce the time

needed to crack a password by avoiding the need for real-time hash calculations23. This technique is

distinct from brute force attacks, which try all possible combinations, dictionary attacks, which use a

list of likely passwords, and hybrid attacks, which combine elements of brute force and dictionary

methods4.

In the context of email encryption and digital signatures, authenticity is typically ensured through the

use of a sender’s digital signature. Dan would use his private key to create a digital signature on his

emails. This signature is unique to both the sender and the email content. Alex, on the other hand,

would use Dan’s public key to verify the digital signature. If the verification process confirms that the

signature was created with Dan’s private key and that the email has not been altered, Alex can be

assured of the email’s authenticity. This process does not involve encrypting the entire email with a

private key, as that would make it unreadable to anyone except the holder of the corresponding

private key, which is not shared. Instead, encryption of the email content is typically done using

symmetric encryption, where both Dan and Alex would use a shared secret key.

Reference: The explanation aligns with the principles of public key infrastructure (PKI) and digital

signatures as outlined in the EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) program, which covers

various aspects of network security, including email encryption and digital signature mechanisms12.

A circuit level gateway is a type of firewall that operates at the session layer of the OSI model, which

is Layer 5. This kind of firewall is designed to provide security by validating and managing sessions

without inspecting the actual contents of each packet. It is particularly adept at hiding the private

network information because it only allows traffic through that is part of an established session,

effectively masking the details of the network’s internal structure from the outside. This makes it an

ideal choice for John’s requirements.

Reference: The information about circuit level gateways operating at the session layer and their

ability to hide private network information is supported by multiple sources within the field,

including educational resources and security-focused articles123. Additionally, the ECCouncil’s

Certified Network Defender (CND) program covers the necessary knowledge regarding network

security and defense strategies, which includes understanding the functions and applications of

different types of firewalls45.

RAID level 50, also known as RAID 5+0, combines the features of RAID 5 and RAID 0. It requires a

minimum of six drives and offers high fault tolerance and high speed for data read and write

operations. RAID 50 arrays are created by striping data across RAID 5 arrays, which are themselves

striped sets with distributed parity. This configuration provides both the speed of RAID 0 and the

redundancy of RAID 51.

Reference:

The TechTarget article on “RAID 50: How to select the right RAID level” explains that RAID 50 is

suitable for applications that require high reliability and can handle high request rates and high data

transfer, with a lower cost of disks than RAID 101.

The DNSChecker RAID Calculator mentions that RAID 50 requires a minimum of six disks2.