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350-401 · Question #1013

350-401 Question #1013: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

The correct answer is A: DTLS. DTLS (Datagram Transport Layer Security) is used to encrypt control plane traffic between SD-WAN controllers and SD-WAN endpoints because it provides secure, encrypted communication over UDP-based connections, which is ideal for the real-time, low-latency signaling required in SD

Submitted by brentm· Mar 6, 2026Security

Question

Which protocol is used to encrypt control plane traffic between SD-WAN controllers and SD-WAN endpoints?

Options

  • ADTLS
  • BIPsec
  • CPGP
  • DHTTPS

Explanation

DTLS (Datagram Transport Layer Security) is used to encrypt control plane traffic between SD-WAN controllers and SD-WAN endpoints because it provides secure, encrypted communication over UDP-based connections, which is ideal for the real-time, low-latency signaling required in SD-WAN control plane communications.

Why the distractors are wrong:

  • IPsec (B) is used to encrypt the data plane (actual user traffic tunnels between SD-WAN endpoints), not the control plane - a common point of confusion.
  • PGP (C) is an encryption standard typically used for email and file encryption, and has no role in SD-WAN architecture.
  • HTTPS (D) uses TLS over TCP and may be used for management/GUI access, but it is not the protocol designated for controller-to-endpoint control plane encryption.

Memory Tip: Think "D for Directions, D for DTLS" - the control plane gives directions/instructions to endpoints, and DTLS secures those directions. Meanwhile, IPsec handles the actual data highway (data plane). Keeping "control = DTLS" and "data = IPsec" as a paired memory rule will help you avoid the most common mix-up on this topic.

Topics

#SD-WAN#Control Plane#DTLS#Encryption

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