A bus topology uses one main cable shared by all devices.
Explain why a bus topology can be a security risk.
Mark scheme
Award up to two marks for a linked explanation such as:
- All devices receive every data packet (1) because the main cable is shared by all nodes (1)
- Data can be read by any device on the network (1) because there is no central switch to send it only to the destination (1)
- A device can intercept/capture data not meant for it (1) because all transmissions travel along the same cable (1)
- Any device can view all data on the cable (1) so data is not private/secure (1)
For both marks, the expansion must follow/associate with the statement.
Do not accept 'it is easy to hack' without saying data can be seen/intercepted on the shared cable.
Do not accept 'the central switch can be hacked' because a bus topology has no central switch.
Example answers and how they were marked
Any device on the bus can see all the data because every packet travels along the same shared cable.
Why: Linked point (1) and reason (1): data is visible to all devices because the cable is shared.
All devices can see the data.
Why: Awarded 1 mark for stating that all devices can see the data, but no linked reason about the shared cable is given.
It is less secure because the central switch can be hacked.
Why: No credit: a bus topology has no central switch; the answer gives a misconception and no valid point about the shared cable.