HPE7-A02 HP Aruba Certified Network Security Professional Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

Voice Role VLAN Configuration:

When VoIP phones are authenticated and assigned to the "voice" role, VLAN 12 should be explicitly defined as an allowed trunk VLAN within the role configuration.

The VLAN configuration should be role-specific rather than on the edge port, as this ensures dynamic VLAN assignment based on authentication results.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. Native VLANs are for untagged traffic, but VoIP traffic is tagged.

Option B: Correct. VLAN 12 must be configured as the allowed trunk VLAN in the "voice" role to tag VoIP traffic correctly.

Option C: Incorrect. Configuring VLAN 12 in both edge port and role settings is redundant and unnecessary.

Option D: Incorrect. Native VLANs do not handle tagged traffic like VLAN 12 for VoIP phones.

To set up HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager (CPPM) for certificate-based authentication of 802.1X supplicants, you need to upload the root CA certificate as a Trusted CA with the EAP usage. This configuration allows the ClearPass server to validate the certificates presented by the supplicants during the 802.1X authentication process. By marking the certificate for EAP usage, ClearPass can properly authenticate the supplicant devices using the trusted certificate authority (CA) that issued their certificates.

The use case for the HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass OnGuard dissolvable agent is implementing a one-time compliance scan. The dissolvable agent is designed to perform a compliance check without requiring a permanent installation on the client device. This is ideal for environments where a quick, temporary assessment of the device's security posture is needed without the overhead of a persistent agent.

1.Dissolvable Agent: The dissolvable agent is downloaded and executed on the client device for a single session, performing the necessary compliance checks before being removed automatically.

2.One-time Compliance Scan: This method is particularly useful for guest or unmanaged devices where a temporary compliance scan is sufficient to ensure security standards are met.

3.Minimal Impact: Since the agent does not persist on the client device, it minimizes the impact on the user's system and does not require ongoing maintenance or updates.

When using "Tips

" conditions within an 802.1X service's enforcement policy, you should enable caching roles and posture attributes from previous sessions in the service's enforcement settings. This ensures that ClearPass retains posture information from previous authentications, which is necessary for making decisions based on the current posture state of an endpoint. By caching these attributes, ClearPass can apply appropriate enforcement actions based on the device's posture status.

To ensure that the AOS-CX switch properly assigns the "employees" role when using CPPM (ClearPass Policy Manager) as the RADIUS server, you should configure a RADIUS Enforcement profile on CPPM with the Aruba-User-Role VSA (Vendor-Specific Attribute) set to "employees". This configuration ensures that when an endpoint authenticates, CPPM sends the appropriate role assignment to the AOS-CX switch, which then applies the corresponding policies and VLAN settings defined for the "employees" role.

To enable the detection of rogue APs with HPE Aruba Networking Wireless IDS/IPS (WIDS/WIPS) on AOS-10 APs managed in HPE Aruba Networking Central, each AP must have a Foundation with Security license. This license enables advanced security features, including rogue AP detection, which is crucial for maintaining a secure wireless environment and protecting against unauthorized access points.

In a client-to-site VPN based on tunnel-mode IPsec, the remote clients and a gateway at the main site are responsible for the IPsec encapsulation. The remote clients initiate the VPN connection and encapsulate their traffic in IPsec, which is then decapsulated by the gateway at the main site.

1.IPsec Encapsulation: The remote clients encapsulate their traffic using IPsec protocols before sending it over the internet to the main site.

2.Gateway Role: The gateway at the main site receives the encapsulated traffic, decapsulates it, and forwards it to the internal network. Similarly, traffic from the main site to the remote clients is encapsulated by the gateway and decapsulated by the clients.

3.Security: This setup ensures that data is securely transmitted between the remote clients and the main site, protecting it from eavesdropping and tampering.

To minimize disruption time if an AOS-CX switch reboots while implementing DHCP snooping and ARP inspection, you should save the IP-to-MAC bindings to external storage. This ensures that the DHCP snooping and ARP inspection tables, which are crucial for preventing spoofing attacks, are preserved across reboots. When the switch restarts, it can reload these bindings from the external storage, thereby maintaining network security and reducing the downtime associated with rebuilding these tables.

1.Preserving Bindings: Saving IP-to-MAC bindings to external storage ensures that these critical security tables are not lost during a reboot, maintaining network integrity.

2.Security Continuity: This practice helps to quickly restore security features like DHCP snooping and ARP inspection, minimizing the window of vulnerability.

3.Operational Efficiency: By preserving these bindings, the switch can resume normal operations faster, reducing disruption to network services.

To follow best security practices for 802.1X authentication settings in Windows domain clients:

Specify at least two server names under "Connect to these servers":

Admins should explicitly list trusted RADIUS server names (e.g., radius.example.com) to prevent the client from connecting to unauthorized or rogue servers.

This mitigates man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks where an attacker attempts to present their own RADIUS server.

Select the desired Trusted Root Certificate Authority and "Don't prompt users":

Select the Trusted Root CA that issued the RADIUS server's certificate. This ensures clients validate the correct server certificate during the EAP-TLS/PEAP authentication process.

Enabling "Don't prompt users" ensures end users are not confused or tricked into accepting certificates from untrusted servers.

Why the other options are incorrect:

Option C: Incorrect. Wildcards in server names (e.g., *.example.com) weaken security and allow broader matching, increasing the risk of rogue servers.

Option D: Incorrect. Clearing "Use simple certificate selection" requires users to select certificates manually, which can lead to errors and usability issues. Simple certificate selection is recommended when properly configured.

Recommended Settings for Best Security Practices:

Server Validation: Specify the exact RADIUS server names in the "Connect to these servers" field.

Root CA Validation: Ensure only the correct Trusted Root Certificate Authority is selected.

User Prompts: Enable "Don't prompt users" to enforce automatic and secure authentication without user intervention.

Hub-Spoke VPN Configuration:

HPE Aruba Central SD-WAN Orchestrator enables hub-spoke topology where branch gateways (BGWs) connect to VPN concentrators (VPNCs) located at data centers.

A key step in configuring this is defining which VPNCs the BGWs will prefer for connectivity.

The DC Preference List is configured in the BGW groups to prioritize the data centers to which BGWs connect.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. VPN pools control IP allocation, not which branches connect to VPNCs.

Option B: Incorrect. IKE policies define key exchange mechanisms but are not part of the connection preference process.

Option C: Correct. Admins configure a DC preference list in BGW groups to determine connectivity priorities with VPNCs.

Option D: Incorrect. IPsec policies define encryption parameters at a global level, but this is not specific to the hub-spoke connection configuration.

What is Zero Trust Security?

Zero Trust Security is a security model that operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify."

It focuses on securing resources (data, applications, systems) and continuously verifying the identity and trust level of users and devices, regardless of whether they are inside or outside the network.

The primary aim is to reduce reliance on perimeter defenses and implement granular access controls to protect individual resources.

Analysis of Each Option

A. Companies must apply the same access controls to all users, regardless of identity:

Incorrect:

Zero Trust enforces dynamic and identity-based access controls, not the same static controls for everyone.

Users and devices are granted access based on their specific context, role, and trust level.

B. Companies that support remote workers cannot achieve zero trust security and must determine if the benefits outweigh the cost:

Incorrect:

Zero Trust is particularly effective for securing remote work environments by verifying and authenticating remote users and devices before granting access to resources.

The model is adaptable to hybrid and remote work scenarios, making this statement false.

C. Companies should focus on protecting their resources rather than on protecting the boundaries of their internal network:

Correct:

Zero Trust shifts the focus from perimeter security (traditional network boundaries) to protecting specific resources.

This includes implementing measures such as:

Micro-segmentation.

Continuous monitoring of user and device trust levels.

Dynamic access control policies.

The emphasis is on securing sensitive assets rather than assuming an internal network is inherently safe.

D. Companies can achieve zero trust security by strengthening their perimeter security to detect a wider range of threats:

Incorrect:

Zero Trust challenges the traditional reliance on perimeter defenses (firewalls, VPNs) as the sole security mechanism.

Strengthening perimeter security is not sufficient for Zero Trust, as this model assumes threats can already exist inside the network.

Final Explanation

Zero Trust Security emphasizes protecting resources at the granular level rather than relying on the traditional security perimeter, which makes C the most accurate description.

References

NIST Zero Trust Architecture Guide.

Zero Trust Principles and Implementation in Modern Networks by HPE Aruba.

"Never Trust, Always Verify" Framework Overview from Cybersecurity Best Practices.

When setting up a ClearPass cluster, it is critical to ensure secure communication between the cluster nodes and the client devices. For this purpose, certain certificates must be properly configured.

1. Why HTTPS Requires a CA-Signed Certificate?

HTTPS communication is used for inter-cluster communication and for the web-based user interface that administrators use to manage the ClearPass cluster.

Before joining the cluster, it is strongly recommended to install a CA-signed HTTPS certificate on the Subscriber to ensure secure communication and prevent warnings/errors due to untrusted certificates.

Without a CA-signed certificate, the Subscriber might use a self-signed certificate, leading to security risks and lack of trust validation.

2. Analysis of Other Certificate Types

B. Database:

Incorrect: Database communications within ClearPass clusters are secured using internal certificates or keys. These are not user-facing and do not require a CA-signed certificate before joining the cluster.

C. RADIUS/EAP:

Incorrect: RADIUS/EAP certificates are important for client authentication, but they are not required on the Subscriber prior to cluster joining. These can be configured after the Subscriber is part of the cluster.

D. RadSec:

Incorrect: RadSec is an optional feature for secure RADIUS communication over TLS, and its certificate configuration is typically performed post-cluster setup.

Final Recommendation

To ensure secure cluster operations and seamless web-based management, a CA-signed HTTPS certificate should be installed on the Subscriber before it joins the ClearPass cluster.

References

ClearPass Deployment Guide for Version 6.9.

Best Practices for Certificate Management in ClearPass Clusters.

HPE Aruba ClearPass Cluster Configuration Guide.

To apply Virtual Network based Tunneling (VNBT) to a particular group of users and assign them to an overlay network with VNI 3000, you should configure the users' AOS-CX role to set the Access VLAN to the VLAN mapped to VNI 3000. This ensures that when users connect, their traffic is tunneled through the specified VNI, integrating seamlessly with the EVPN VXLAN solution.

1.Access VLAN Configuration: Setting the Access VLAN to the VLAN mapped to VNI 3000 ensures that users' traffic is directed to the correct virtual network.

2.EVPN VXLAN Integration: This setup allows the AOS-CX switch to participate in the EVPN VXLAN solution, ensuring that user traffic is properly encapsulated and tunneled.

3.Role-Based Assignment: Configuring the role with the correct VLAN mapping ensures that users are dynamically assigned to the appropriate virtual network based on their role.

Comprehensive Detailed Explanation

To prohibit users from uploading and downloading files from Dropbox using HPE Aruba Networking SSE (Secure Service Edge), you need to configure web access policies. This typically involves:

Adding a web category to the SSE configuration that includes Dropbox.

The SSE solution uses category-based filtering to block access to specific applications or services, such as Dropbox, based on their classification.

Other Options:

B. Installing the SSE root certificate is required for enabling SSL inspection, but this does not directly control access to Dropbox.

C and D. Deploying a connector is not necessary for this purpose as the enforcement is done via SSE policies, not by directly interfacing with Dropbox or remote users.

References

Aruba Networking SSE documentation on web filtering policies.

HPE Aruba SSE Application Control Best Practices Guide.

802.11 Traffic and Protection Bits:

In the 802.11 protocol, protection bits and the Initialization Vector (IV) are used in encrypted wireless traffic.

If the traffic is captured directly from an AP, the frames may include encrypted content.

Wireshark may misinterpret these protection bits or fail to display the frames correctly unless it is configured to ignore protection bits and correctly parse the IV.

Key Scenario:

When traffic is captured directly from an AP managed by HPE Aruba Networking Central, the frames are often captured before decryption occurs.

In such cases, you must configure Wireshark to ignore the protection bits and handle the IV properly for correct frame interpretation.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Incorrect. Data plane traffic sent to a remote IP is usually decrypted, so Wireshark does not require this adjustment.

Option B: Incorrect. Switch port mirroring captures traffic at Layer 2/3, not raw 802.11 frames.

Option C: Correct. Traffic captured directly from an AP via HPE Aruba Networking Central often includes encrypted wireless frames, requiring Wireshark adjustments.

Option D: Incorrect. Control plane traffic is typically management data and not raw wireless frames needing IV interpretation.

To integrate HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager (CPPM) with HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Device Insight (CPDI), one of the necessary tasks is to enable Insight in the CPPM server configuration settings. This configuration allows CPPM to communicate and share data with CPDI, facilitating the integration and enabling enhanced device profiling and policy enforcement capabilities.

1.Insight Enablement: Enabling Insight on the CPPM server allows it to leverage the data and capabilities of CPDI, integrating device profiling information into policy decisions.

2.Data Sharing: This integration ensures that CPPM can receive and use detailed device information from CPDI to make more informed policy enforcement decisions.

3.Configuration: Properly configuring the server settings to enable Insight ensures seamless communication and data flow between CPPM and CPDI.

The "Detect Valid SSID Misuse" event in Aruba's Wireless Intrusion Detection System (WIDS) indicates that a valid SSID, associated with your network, is being broadcast from an unauthorized source. This scenario often signals a potential rogue access point attempting to deceive clients into connecting to it (e.g., for credential harvesting or man-in-the-middle attacks).

1. Explanation of Each Option

A. Clients are failing to authenticate to corporate SSIDs. You should first check for misconfigured authentication settings and then investigate a possible threat:

Incorrect:

This event is not related to authentication failures by legitimate clients.

Misconfigured authentication settings would lead to events like "authentication failures" or "radius issues," not "valid SSID misuse."

B. Admins have likely misconfigured SSID security settings on some of the company's APs. You should have them check those settings:

Incorrect:

This event refers to an external device broadcasting your SSID, not misconfiguration on the company’s authorized APs.

WIDS differentiates between valid corporate APs and rogue APs.

C. Hackers are likely trying to pose as authorized APs. You should use the detecting radio information and immediately track down the device that triggered the event:

Correct:

This is the most likely cause of the "detect valid SSID misuse" event. A rogue AP broadcasting a corporate SSID could lure clients into connecting to it, exposing sensitive credentials or traffic.

Immediate action includes:

Using the radio information from the event logs to identify the rogue AP's location.

Physically locating and removing the rogue device.

Strengthening WIPS/WIDS policies to prevent further misuse.

D. This event might be a threat but is almost always a false positive. You should wait to see the event over several days before following up on it:

Incorrect:

While false positives are possible, "valid SSID misuse" is a critical security event that should not be ignored.

Delaying action increases the risk of successful attacks against your network.

2. Recommended Steps to Address the Event

Review Event Logs:

Gather details about the rogue AP, such as SSID, MAC address, channel, and signal strength.

Locate the Rogue Device:

Use the detecting AP's radio information and signal strength to triangulate the rogue AP's physical location.

Respond to the Threat:

Remove or disable the rogue device.

Notify the security team for further investigation.

Prevent Future Misuse:

Strengthen security policies, such as enabling client whitelists or enhancing WIPS protection.

References

Aruba WIDS/WIPS Configuration and Best Practices Guide.

Aruba Central Security Event Analysis Documentation.

Wireless Threat Management Using Aruba Networks.

Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI):

ARP inspection verifies ARP packets against a trusted IP-to-MAC binding table to prevent ARP spoofing attacks.

DHCP snooping is required to construct the IP-to-MAC binding table dynamically.

To avoid traffic disruption, uplink ports that connect to trusted switches, DHCP servers, or routers must be explicitly configured as trusted ports for ARP inspection.

Steps to Prevent Traffic Disruption:

Trust the Uplinks: ARP inspection must treat uplink ports as trusted to allow ARP traffic from legitimate DHCP servers and upstream switches.

Enable DHCP Snooping: DHCP snooping must be enabled on Switch-2 to ensure consistent IP-to-MAC bindings upstream.

Why the Answer is Correct:

Option A: Incorrect. ARP inspection on Switch-2 is important but not required first to prevent disruption on Switch-1.

Option B: Incorrect. DHCP snooping must be enabled upstream eventually, but this alone will not stop immediate traffic disruption on Switch-1.

Option C: Correct. Switch-1 uplinks must be trusted ARP inspection ports first to allow legitimate upstream traffic and prevent ARP disruption.

Option D: Incorrect. Static bindings are not required if DHCP snooping is enabled, and they are manual, limiting scalability.

Conclusion:

To avoid traffic disruption, configure Switch-1 uplinks as trusted ARP inspection ports to ensure valid ARP traffic can pass upstream and downstream.

In HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Device Insight (CPDI), a device with a Risk Score of 90 indicates that the posture is unhealthy, and CPDI has detected at least one vulnerability on the device. The risk score is a reflection of the device's security posture and detected vulnerabilities. A high risk score, such as 90, typically signifies significant security concerns, including the presence of vulnerabilities that could be exploited, thereby categorizing the device as a high-risk asset within the network.