Which of the following is the MOST secure way to mutually authenticate an external server to an internal server for a data exchange?

Question

Options

• ATickets
• BVPN
• CIPSec
• DCertificates

• A
  6% (3)
• B
  2% (1)
• C
  4% (2)
• D
  88% (43)

Explanation

Certificates (specifically used in mutual TLS / mTLS) are the most secure method for mutual authentication because both the client (external server) and the server (internal server) each present a digital certificate signed by a trusted Certificate Authority. This cryptographically proves the identity of both parties before data is exchanged - neither side can impersonate the other. Tickets (A), such as Kerberos tickets, are typically used for internal network authentication and require a centralized KDC, making them less practical across organizational boundaries. VPN (B) encrypts the tunnel but does not inherently enforce mutual authentication of the communicating servers. IPSec (C) can use certificates as part of IKE negotiation, but 'Certificates' as a standalone answer is more precise for the mutual authentication mechanism itself. Certificates are the industry-standard answer for server-to-server mutual authentication in data exchange scenarios.

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