Firms still choose to use WPA in order to

• A. Reduce access point configuration costs
• B. Reduce wireless client configuration costs
• C. Both reduce access point and configuration costs
• D. No cost savings

Answer: (C)

WPA makes deployment simpler and more scalable by using a straightforward authentication method, especially in PSK (pre-shared key) mode. With a single shared key across the network, you can configure multiple access points once and roll the same key out to all clients, rather than provisioning unique credentials or certificates per user or per device.

This reduced provisioning effort translates to lower access point configuration costs because administrators don’t have to manage separate credentials or complex setups for each AP. It also lowers client-side configuration costs since devices can connect using the same passphrase without needing individual certificates or per-user credentials. In contrast, more complex enterprise-style authentication would require additional infrastructure and per-user or per-device provisioning, driving up both AP and client setup costs. That’s why choosing WPA, in practice, can lower both kinds of configuration effort, making the option that reduces both the best fit.