CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

Which of the following describes a significant security concern related to jump boxes?

1. They encrypt all data in transit

2. They can be easily compromised

3. They are not monitored

4. They operate on public networks

The correct answer is: They can be easily compromised

A jump box, also known as a jump server or bastion host, is a dedicated computer used to manage access to other servers, especially in a network segment that requires secure administration. The significant security concern associated with jump boxes centers around their potential vulnerability to compromise. Because jump boxes serve as critical access points for administrators to reach protected systems, they can become prime targets for attackers. If an attacker successfully gains access to a jump box, they could utilize it as a foothold to infiltrate the network and access more sensitive systems. This is particularly worrisome if the jump box is not properly secured, updated, or monitored. While encryption of data in transit, monitoring, and the network environment do relate to security, they do not directly pinpoint the inherent vulnerability of jump boxes being targeted to gain unauthorized access. Thus, the concern about their susceptibility to compromise is the most relevant in the context of securing networked environments.