Which protocol allows secure access to network devices over the internet for remote IT management?

The correct choice, SSH, stands for Secure Shell and is specifically designed for secure remote management of network devices and systems over an unsecured network like the internet. SSH provides strong authentication and encrypted channels for communication, which helps safeguard sensitive information from potential eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks. It is widely used for remote access to servers, network devices, and other hardware, offering both command-line interface and the ability to securely forward X11 applications.

In contrast, other protocols mentioned in the choices do not offer the same level of security. Telnet, for instance, transmits data in plaintext, exposing sensitive information like usernames and passwords to interception. RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is primarily used for remote desktop access to Windows machines and includes some encryption, but SSH is generally considered more secure for command-line access to various types of devices. VNC (Virtual Network Computing) allows remote desktop sharing, but it also lacks strong encryption by default. Thus, SSH remains the preferred choice for secure remote IT management over the internet.