ISC2 SSCP Exam - Topic 9 Question 27 Discussion

AH provides integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation. AH does not provide encryption which means that NO confidentiality is in place if only AH is being used. You must make use of the Encasulating Security Payload if you wish to get confidentiality.

IPSec uses two basic security protocols: Authentication Header (AH) and Encapsulation Security Payload.

AH is the authenticating protocol and the ESP is the authenticating and encrypting protocol that uses cryptographic mechanisms to provide source authentication, confidentiality and message integrity.

The modes of IPSEC, the protocols that have to be used are all negotiated using Security Association. Security Associations (SAs) can be combined into bundles to provide authentication, confidentialility and layered communication.

Source:

TIPTON, Harold F. & KRAUSE, MICKI, Information Security Management Handbook, 4th Edition, Volume 2, 2001, CRC Press, NY, page 164.

also see:

Shon Harris, CISSP All In One Exam Guide, 5th Edition, Page 758