About 350-701 Exam
Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies with the code 350-701 SCOR is an exam for individuals who want to certify their skills in operating and implementing core security technologies that ensure protection against cyber-attacks and threats.
The target audience for this Cisco test is IT professionals whose responsibility is to implement security solutions for clients. Consequently, this exam is suitable for anyone in the following job roles: technical solutions architects, system engineers, network administrators, and consulting systems engineers among others.
The Associated Certifications
There are three designations associated with test 350-701. They are Cisco Certified Specialist - Security Core, CCNP Security, and CCIE Security accreditations and they differ in their mode of attainment. Meanwhile, all of these named certifications are valid for three years. /
In line with Cisco’s policy of awarding specialist qualifications to candidates, Cisco Certified Specialist - Security Core is the specialist certification awarded upon passing 350-701 SCOR. In other words, there are no other requirements for this certificate.
To get CCNP Security, passing the 350-701 exam satisfies the core exam requirement of the certification. However, to fully earn this validation, candidates choose their technology focus area out of the six concentration exams available. And, as a result, earning the CCNP Security certifies your capability with security solutions on the professional level.
On the other hand, exam 350-701 is the qualifying exam for the CCIE Security certification path. Once the exam is passed, aspirants will only need to pass the security lab exam to earn the CCIE Security accreditation. Thus, this certification puts an assurance on your expert capabilities with complicated security solutions.
General exam format
The Cisco exam 350-701 SPCOR is 120 minutes in duration and is offered in Japanese and English languages. Also, it costs $400 to register on the Pearson VUE platform to pass the final test in the nearest authorized center. However, if you are concerned about avoiding possible exposure to the Covid-19 virus and would prefer to take this proctored exam from your home or office, that's possible, as the 350-701 supports the remote format.
Basic requirements
Except for age restrictions, Cisco doesn’t place strict requirements for writing this official test. You only need sufficient knowledge of all exam topics. As a guide, Cisco says that typical candidates for the 350-701 have three to five years of experience before pursuing the CCNP certifications. In the case of the CCIE accreditation track, they usually should have between five to seven years.
Exam domain details
There are six domains under which the exam questions are formed. Meanwhile, these topics shouldn't be considered definitive because Cisco can make changes without notice. Nonetheless, they are the most reliable guide you can find on possible questions for the test 350-701.
Security Concepts: Questions under this domain involve 25% of the exam and will test your knowledge of numerous security concepts. Thus, you may be required to demonstrate your knowledge by explaining common threats against cloud and on-premises environments. The first ones include compromised credentials, DoS/DDoS, insecure APIs, and data breaches. Threats against on-premises environment consist of malware, phishing, trojans, viruses, etc. Other topics of concern under this test category include cryptography components and their functions, security vulnerabilities, and interpreting Python scripts. You may also come across questions on security intelligence consumption, sharing, and authoring. Also, the subtopics regarding DNAC APIs, South and North Bound APIs, and the types of remote access and site-to-site VPN deployment will be considered.
Network Security: Network security as it relates to networking refers to the set of practices, processes, and policies which are used in the prevention, detection, and monitoring of unauthorized denial, modification, misuse, or access of computer data and networks. So, to score high under this domain that represents 20% of the 350-701 exam, candidates need the required knowledge in network security solutions, the configuration of AAA, remote access VPN, site-to-site VPN, and the methods in network security configuration and verification. Other topics to pay attention to are the implementation of malware protection, URL filtering, AVC, access control policies, and segmentation.
Securing the Cloud: This question category covers 15% of the exam and has to do with the broad set of controls, applications, technologies, and policies used to protect the cloud.
Therefore, possible topics from this domain refer to workload and application security concepts, the configuration of cloud monitoring and logging methodologies, and the identification of cloud environment security solutions. Other topics include knowledge of policy management, deployment models, and security capabilities used in cloud security. In addition, you should be able to compare various cloud service models and be familiar with DevSecOps concepts.
Content Security: This exam part covers 15% of all questions and will focus on how you're able to identify and prevent content attacks from executed malicious content. In other words, topics under this domain include methods used to capture and redirect traffic, identity and authorization of web proxy, and the configuration and verification of email security. Candidates may also find questions concerning Cisco Umbrella, especially those dealing with the configuration and verification of web controls and their benefits, capabilities, and components. You should be prepared to meet the questions dealing with cloud-based, local web and email security solutions. Web security and internet gateway features could also be included in the 350-701 exam.
Endpoint Detection and Protection: Under this area, the candidates will be tested on the knowledge of endpoint protection, response, and detection solutions and technologies. This part makes up 10% of the whole exam. Topics under this domain include endpoint-sourced telemetry, dynamic file analysis, antivirus, Indication of Compromise, retrospective security, and antimalware. You may also need to acquire knowledge in endpoint-based security justification, endpoint asset inventory and device management, as well as the use of multifactor authentication. Other subtopics include endpoint patching strategies and posture assessment solutions among others.
Secure Network Access, Enforcements, and Visibility: To ace this final section, you may need sufficient knowledge in secure network access and identity management concepts like BYOD, posture assessment, profiling, alongside guest services. Moreover, as this part covers 15% of the final test, numerous questions can also come from CoA, network access device functionality, application control, and exfiltration techniques. Also, this exam includes topics about device compliance and network telemetry benefits, as well as questions on security products and solutions benefits, capabilities, and components.
Career prospects
Said another way, if you’re looking to advance in your IT security solutions career, you should sit for the Cisco 350-701 certification exam to qualify for either the CCNP Security or CCIE Security designations. This way, you will prove your skills and gain new ones, which will aid in delivering better security solutions according to your client or employer's needs. Moreover, successful candidates will then be able to apply for higher-level positions and have a better chance of getting hired. Consider how high your earnings could be after earning these certificates. For example, according to the PayScale.com website, the average salary of the CCNP Security accreditation holder is $105K while with a CCIE Security certification in your bag, you can earn $125,507 annually.
