Network Defense Essentials (NDE) Practice Exam

Which component of technical network security controls examines devices to identify weaknesses in the network?

1. Auditing

2. Encryption

3. Traffic monitoring

4. Access management

The correct answer is: Auditing

The correct response highlights the role of auditing within the context of technical network security controls. Auditing involves systematically reviewing and analyzing security measures and practices within a network. This process is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and weaknesses in the devices that comprise the network. Through comprehensive audits, organizations can assess the effectiveness of their security measures, ensuring that devices are properly hardened against potential threats. In contrast, other options like encryption focus on securing data rather than assessing device vulnerabilities. Traffic monitoring analyzes data packets that travel across the network but does not specifically scrutinize the devices for inherent weaknesses. Access management controls who can access the network and its resources but does not evaluate the security posture of the devices themselves. Thus, auditing is uniquely positioned as a proactive measure aimed specifically at identifying weaknesses in network devices, making it the most appropriate choice for this question.