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.