Cisco 350-701 Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 2 Q21-40

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Question 21: 

Which Cisco technology provides secure access for remote users based on multi-factor authentication and adaptive policies?

A. Cisco AnyConnect
B. Cisco Duo
C. Cisco Umbrella
D. Cisco ISE

Answer: B. Cisco Duo

Explanation:

Cisco Duo is a cloud-based multi-factor authentication (MFA) and secure access solution designed to verify the identity of users before granting access to applications or network resources. It plays a key role in implementing Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) by ensuring that “never trust, always verify” principles are enforced for every access attempt.

Duo uses multiple verification methods — such as push notifications, passcodes, biometrics, or hardware tokens — to confirm a user’s identity. The platform also assesses the security posture of the user’s device, checking for factors like OS version, encryption, and screen lock status. If the device does not meet policy standards, Duo can deny access or prompt remediation.

Its adaptive access policies enable administrators to apply conditional rules based on risk factors like user location, device health, or application sensitivity. For instance, an administrator can require MFA only for logins from untrusted networks or unknown devices.

Cisco AnyConnect provides VPN connectivity but not built-in adaptive MFA. Cisco Umbrella focuses on DNS-layer security, and ISE handles network-level access control. Duo, however, works across VPNs, cloud applications, and on-premises systems to verify identity regardless of access method.

By combining MFA, device trust, and adaptive policies, Duo ensures that only verified users using compliant devices can access protected resources. It integrates easily with Cisco ASA, Firepower, and SecureX, providing a unified identity security layer that strengthens protection against phishing, credential theft, and account compromise — the most common vectors in today’s hybrid workforce environments.

Question 22: 

Which Cisco security technology provides automated malware analysis and retrospective detection?

A. Cisco Firepower
B. Cisco AMP for Endpoints
C. Cisco Stealthwatch
D. Cisco Umbrella

Answer: B. Cisco AMP for Endpoints

Explanation:

Cisco AMP for Endpoints (Advanced Malware Protection) delivers comprehensive protection against advanced threats through continuous monitoring, behavioral analytics, and retrospective detection. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions that rely on signatures, AMP continuously analyzes file behavior and provides post-compromise visibility — allowing it to detect, contain, and remediate threats even after initial execution.

When a file enters the network, AMP calculates its SHA-256 hash and checks it against Cisco’s global threat intelligence database powered by Cisco Talos. If the file is unknown, it is monitored in real time. If later determined malicious, AMP retrospectively flags and remediates it across all affected endpoints. This retrospective security is a key differentiator, allowing administrators to trace the attack timeline, identify patient-zero, and remove all instances automatically.

AMP integrates with Cisco SecureX for centralized investigation and response. It also provides sandboxing through Threat Grid, where suspicious files are detonated in a virtual environment for dynamic behavioral analysis. This integration enhances protection against polymorphic malware and zero-day threats.

Cisco Firepower offers network-level inspection, while Stealthwatch detects anomalies based on traffic patterns. Umbrella blocks threats at the DNS layer but cannot perform endpoint-level behavioral analysis. AMP complements these technologies by protecting the endpoint itself — laptops, servers, and mobile devices.

Through constant cloud updates, AMP ensures up-to-date intelligence and real-time visibility into emerging threats, providing a crucial endpoint defense layer within Cisco’s extended detection and response (XDR) framework.

Question 23: 

What is the main function of Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA)?

A. To provide DNS-layer filtering
B. To prevent spam, phishing, and malicious email attachments
C. To encrypt web traffic
D. To monitor endpoint health

Answer: B. To prevent spam, phishing, and malicious email attachments

Explanation:

The Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA) is designed to protect enterprise email systems from threats such as spam, phishing, malware, and data leaks. It acts as a secure email gateway that scans all incoming, outgoing, and internal emails using multilayered detection techniques.

Cisco ESA leverages Cisco Talos Threat Intelligence, one of the world’s largest commercial threat intelligence teams, to maintain up-to-date knowledge of malicious domains, IP addresses, and attachment signatures. The appliance employs various filtering engines including anti-spam, anti-virus, and advanced phishing detection to block unwanted or malicious messages before they reach users’ inboxes.

One of ESA’s advanced features is Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Email, which scans attachments in real time and uses sandboxing to detect zero-day threats. It also supports graymail filtering to separate marketing or bulk emails from critical business communications. Additionally, ESA offers Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and email encryption, ensuring that sensitive information is not leaked or transmitted insecurely.

While Cisco Umbrella protects users at the DNS level, and AMP for Endpoints safeguards devices, ESA focuses specifically on the email vector — one of the most common points of compromise. It integrates with Cisco SecureX to share telemetry and automate incident response across the security ecosystem.

Overall, Cisco ESA provides comprehensive email protection by combining real-time threat intelligence, advanced malware detection, content filtering, and encryption. This ensures email remains a trusted communication channel and strengthens an organization’s defense against targeted attacks and business email compromise (BEC).

Question 24: 

Which Cisco feature allows dynamic download of access control lists (ACLs) from Cisco ISE to a network device?

A. Role-Based Access Control
B. Downloadable ACLs (dACLs)
C. VLAN Assignment
D. Security Group Tagging

Answer: B. Downloadable ACLs (dACLs)

Explanation:

Downloadable ACLs (dACLs) allow Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) to dynamically send access control lists to network devices during user authentication. Instead of predefining static ACLs on switches or wireless controllers, ISE delivers them in real time based on user identity, device type, or posture compliance.

When a user connects to the network, the access device — such as a switch or wireless LAN controller — authenticates the session using RADIUS. Upon successful authentication, ISE responds with authorization attributes, including the dACL, which the device then enforces for that session. This approach provides granular, identity-based access control without requiring manual ACL management on every device.

For example, employees might receive an ACL allowing access to internal servers, while guests are restricted to Internet-only access. If the user’s posture changes (e.g., a device becomes non-compliant), ISE can issue a Change of Authorization (CoA) to apply a new dACL immediately.

Unlike static ACLs, dACLs simplify operations by centralizing policy management within ISE, ensuring consistency across all access points. VLAN assignment can also occur dynamically but is used for network segmentation rather than fine-grained control. Security Group Tagging (SGT) is part of TrustSec and represents another identity-based method but uses tags instead of ACLs.

By using dACLs, administrators gain flexibility and real-time adaptability while reducing configuration overhead and potential errors. It’s a foundational feature for dynamic access enforcement within Cisco’s Zero Trust architecture, ensuring that policies follow the user and device wherever they connect.

Question 25: 

Which Cisco feature ensures that only compliant endpoints can access the network?

A. 802.1X
B. Posture Assessment
C. MAC Authentication Bypass
D. Dynamic ARP Inspection

Answer: B. Posture Assessment

Explanation: 

Posture Assessment in Cisco networks refers to the process of evaluating an endpoint’s security health before granting it network access. It ensures compliance with organizational policies by checking for elements like antivirus status, OS patch levels, disk encryption, and firewall configuration.

This capability is implemented primarily through Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), often in conjunction with the Cisco AnyConnect posture module. When a device connects via wired, wireless, or VPN, it communicates with ISE to perform a posture check. If the device passes the assessment, ISE authorizes normal access. If it fails, ISE can place the device in a quarantine VLAN or apply restricted access using a downloadable ACL until remediation is complete.

802.1X provides the authentication mechanism used to identify and authenticate endpoints but does not assess their security posture. Posture Assessment builds on this by validating compliance. MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB) serves as a fallback for devices that cannot perform 802.1X, and Dynamic ARP Inspection prevents ARP spoofing but does not evaluate endpoint health.

By enforcing posture checks, organizations ensure that only trusted and secure devices communicate on the network. This is a key component of Cisco’s Zero Trust approach, as it combines identity verification with continuous device validation. It helps mitigate risks from unmanaged, infected, or outdated devices connecting to critical systems.

Question 26: 

In a Cisco Firepower Access Control Policy, which rule action allows traffic but still performs inspection and logging?

A. Block
B. Allow
C. Trust
D. Monitor

Answer: B. Allow

Explanation:

In Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD), the Allow rule action within an Access Control Policy (ACP) authorizes traffic to pass through the firewall while still subjecting it to comprehensive inspection, logging, and policy enforcement. When network traffic matches an Allow rule, it is evaluated by all configured security layers, including intrusion policies, file and malware inspection, and URL filtering, before being forwarded to its destination. This ensures that permitted traffic is not only allowed but also thoroughly analyzed for potential threats.

The Allow action is distinct from other rule actions such as Trust, Block, and Monitor, each serving a specific operational purpose. The Trust action, for example, allows traffic to pass without any further inspection by the Firepower inspection engines. This mode is typically reserved for communication between highly secure, internal networks where the likelihood of malicious content is minimal, and performance optimization is a priority. However, because Trust rules bypass security controls, they provide no advanced threat detection or analysis.

The Block action, on the other hand, denies traffic outright—either silently dropping packets or sending TCP reset messages to notify the source of the termination. This is ideal for enforcing strict security boundaries and preventing unwanted or malicious traffic from entering or leaving the network. The Monitor action merely logs traffic that matches the rule criteria but does not alter or block the flow of packets. It is often used for testing, visibility, or forensic monitoring purposes.

By contrast, the Allow action enforces a “permit with inspection” model. It is commonly applied to legitimate but potentially risky traffic, such as outbound web access, file downloads, or email communications, where ongoing inspection is essential. For instance, outbound HTTP traffic may be allowed through the firewall but analyzed for malware, phishing attempts, or data exfiltration attempts using Snort-based intrusion and advanced malware protection.

Administrators can also customize logging settings for each Allow rule to maintain detailed visibility into user activity and threat events. These logs can be viewed and correlated within the Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC), enabling compliance reporting and incident investigation.

Overall, the Allow action enables organizations to maintain security visibility without sacrificing network accessibility, achieving an ideal balance between usability, performance, and protection in enterprise environments.

Question 27: 

Which feature in Cisco ASA or Firepower provides protection against SYN flood attacks?

A. TCP Normalization
B. TCP Intercept
C. Threat Intelligence Director
D. URL Filtering

Answer: B. TCP Intercept

Explanation:

TCP Intercept is a powerful security feature available on Cisco ASA and Cisco Firepower devices, designed to protect networks and servers from SYN flood attacks, a common type of Denial of Service (DoS) attack. In a SYN flood, an attacker sends a large volume of TCP SYN packets—the initial request to establish a TCP connection—but never completes the three-way handshake. This leaves the target server with numerous half-open connections, consuming system resources and eventually preventing legitimate users from establishing connections.

When TCP Intercept is enabled, the Cisco firewall functions as an intermediary or proxy for incoming TCP connection requests. Instead of immediately forwarding SYN packets to the protected server, the firewall intercepts them and completes the handshake process with the client. Only after a successful handshake does the firewall initiate a legitimate connection to the internal server. If the client fails to complete the handshake within a predefined timeout period, the connection attempt is dropped, preventing the malicious or incomplete session from reaching the protected resource.

This proactive mechanism effectively shields internal servers from incomplete or spoofed connection attempts. Administrators can configure thresholds and timeouts to detect when the number of half-open sessions exceeds normal limits, allowing the system to dynamically activate TCP Intercept during periods of unusual traffic or potential attacks. The feature can operate in either intercept mode, where the firewall proxies all handshakes, or watch mode, where it monitors traffic and intervenes only when thresholds are exceeded.

It’s important to note that while TCP Normalization ensures protocol compliance by correcting or dropping abnormal packets, it does not perform handshake proxying. Similarly, Threat Intelligence Director provides integration with external threat feeds, and URL Filtering focuses on inspecting and categorizing HTTP traffic—not TCP-level interactions.

By implementing TCP Intercept, organizations significantly enhance their defense against volumetric and resource-exhaustion attacks targeting TCP-based applications and services. This approach ensures continuous service availability, preserves server performance, and maintains firewall stability even under attack conditions. Lightweight yet highly effective, Cisco’s TCP Intercept feature remains a crucial component of a multi-layered security strategy, ensuring reliable protection for mission-critical network infrastructure.

Question 28: 

Which Cisco VPN feature allows for full-tunnel and split-tunnel configurations for remote users?

A. SSL VPN
B. GRE Tunnel
C. IPsec Site-to-Site VPN
D. MPLS VPN

Answer: A. SSL VPN

Explanation: 

Cisco’s SSL VPN (Secure Sockets Layer Virtual Private Network) provides secure remote access to corporate resources over the internet through web browsers or the Cisco AnyConnect client. It enables employees, contractors, and mobile users to establish encrypted connections to enterprise networks from virtually any location or device. SSL VPNs rely on the SSL/TLS protocol, which is widely supported across operating systems and firewalls, making deployment straightforward and minimizing client-side configuration requirements.

One of the key capabilities of Cisco’s SSL VPN is its support for full-tunnel and split-tunnel configurations. In a full-tunnel setup, all user traffic—including both corporate and internet-bound data—is routed through the VPN tunnel to the enterprise network. This allows centralized inspection, logging, and security policy enforcement, ensuring maximum protection against threats and data leakage. However, because even non-corporate traffic passes through the VPN, this mode can increase bandwidth consumption and introduce additional latency.

Alternatively, split-tunneling provides a more optimized approach by routing only traffic destined for corporate networks through the VPN tunnel, while other internet-bound traffic flows directly to the web. This reduces load on the VPN gateway, enhances user experience, and improves network efficiency. Nonetheless, it requires careful policy configuration to prevent security gaps such as data exfiltration or bypassing of enterprise controls. Cisco AnyConnect enables administrators to specify which subnets, applications, or domains are included in the VPN tunnel, offering fine-grained flexibility based on security posture and operational needs.

Unlike GRE or IPsec site-to-site VPNs, which connect entire networks, SSL VPNs focus on individual remote users. MPLS VPNs, on the other hand, provide logical network separation via service providers but do not offer encryption or end-to-end data security.

Cisco’s SSL VPN integrates seamlessly with Cisco ASA and Cisco Firepower appliances, supporting advanced features such as posture assessment, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and dynamic access policies. Together, these capabilities deliver a balance of security, scalability, and usability, making SSL VPN a core component of modern remote access architectures—especially for organizations embracing hybrid work and cloud connectivity.

Question 29: 

What is the main purpose of Cisco’s Identity Services Engine (ISE) Guest Portal?

A. To monitor endpoint security posture
B. To provide temporary network access for guests
C. To authenticate administrative users
D. To enforce ACLs for internal users

Answer: B. To provide temporary network access for guests

Explanation:

The Cisco ISE Guest Portal is a web-based access portal that provides temporary and controlled network connectivity for guest users. It allows visitors, contractors, or partners to connect to the organization’s wireless or wired network securely without needing permanent credentials. When a guest connects, they are redirected to the Guest Portal, where they can self-register or be sponsored by an authorized employee.

ISE validates and provisions these users by assigning temporary credentials, typically valid for a defined duration. Once authenticated, ISE can dynamically assign a VLAN, downloadable ACL, or Security Group Tag to isolate guest traffic from the internal network. This ensures that guest users can access only permitted resources, such as internet browsing, while maintaining corporate network integrity.

ISE’s Guest Portal can also be customized with branding, terms of service, and workflow automation for approvals. It integrates with external identity systems or can generate credentials internally. Administrators can enforce time-based expiration and revoke access automatically once the allotted session period ends.

This solution enhances security by segregating guest traffic and providing accountability for every connection. It also simplifies user experience, as guests can self-enroll without IT intervention.

ISE’s posture assessment applies mainly to managed devices, and its administrative authentication and ACL enforcement features target internal network operations. The Guest Portal specifically addresses temporary network access needs while maintaining compliance and reducing security risks.

Question 30: 

Which Cisco solution is primarily used to secure API communications and monitor API traffic?

A. Cisco Umbrella
B. Cisco Secure Firewall
C. Cisco Secure API Security
D. Cisco Stealthwatch

Answer: C. Cisco Secure API Security

Explanation:

Cisco Secure API Security is designed to protect and monitor application programming interfaces (APIs), which have become essential in modern cloud-native and microservices-based applications. APIs can expose sensitive data and functions, making them a target for attackers seeking unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or abuse. Cisco Secure API Security provides visibility into all active APIs across the environment, identifies shadow APIs, and detects abnormal usage patterns.

The solution integrates with Cisco Secure Workload and Cisco SecureX to provide unified telemetry and contextual analysis. It monitors real-time API traffic, checking for threats like injection attacks, credential abuse, and unauthorized access attempts. Using machine learning, it builds behavioral baselines for API interactions and flags deviations that might indicate compromise or misuse.

Traditional firewalls and gateways are limited in their understanding of API-level communication because they primarily focus on network ports and protocols. Cisco Umbrella protects DNS requests, not API calls, and Stealthwatch focuses on network flow analytics rather than application-layer interactions.

Cisco Secure API Security helps organizations comply with data protection standards by identifying APIs that expose personal or regulated data. It enables the enforcement of consistent security policies across hybrid and multi-cloud architectures.

This visibility and control over APIs are crucial for reducing attack surfaces and ensuring that application integrations remain secure as enterprises adopt microservices, containerized workloads, and cloud-native development practices.

Question 31: 

What is the function of Cisco Firepower’s Intrusion Policy? 

A. To define NAT rules
B. To specify URL filtering rules
C. To inspect traffic for known exploits and intrusions
D. To enforce QoS policies

Answer: C. To inspect traffic for known exploits and intrusions

Explanation: 

Cisco Intrusion Policy in Firepower defines how the system detects, analyzes, and responds to malicious activity by utilizing Snort rules—detailed signatures that describe identifiable patterns of known attacks, exploits, and protocol violations. These policies determine which rules are enabled, how deeply traffic is inspected, and what actions are taken when a potential threat is detected, such as alerting, dropping packets, or resetting connections.

When traffic traverses the Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) engine, the intrusion policy examines packet payloads and headers for suspicious behavior matching Snort rule signatures. These may include exploit attempts, buffer overflows, SQL injections, or protocol anomalies. The policy applies real-time analysis to detect threats within encrypted or unencrypted streams, ensuring visibility into application-layer attacks.

Cisco’s Talos Threat Intelligence team continuously researches new vulnerabilities and develops updated rule sets, which are automatically delivered to Firepower systems. This constant feed of intelligence ensures that intrusion policies remain effective against emerging threats, zero-day exploits, and rapidly evolving attack techniques.

Administrators can fine-tune intrusion policies to balance security and performance. Firepower provides predefined policy templates such as “Security over Connectivity,” “Balanced Security and Connectivity,” and “Connectivity over Security,” allowing flexibility based on network sensitivity. For instance, critical business servers might use a strict inspection policy to maximize protection, while less critical zones could adopt lighter inspection to preserve throughput.

Other Firepower components—such as URL filtering, NAT policies, and QoS configurations—operate independently of intrusion policies. The intrusion policy’s specific function is deep packet inspection to detect and mitigate network-based threats at the content level.

By correlating threat intelligence, traffic behavior, and real-time telemetry, Cisco Intrusion Policies provide proactive defense across complex network environments. They help organizations identify, block, and contain attacks before they can compromise systems or applications, maintaining a strong and adaptive layer of network security protection.

Question 32: 

What is the purpose of Cisco Secure Network Analytics (Stealthwatch) Flow Collector?

A. To store firewall configuration backups
B. To collect and analyze NetFlow data from network devices
C. To enforce access control policies
D. To perform SSL decryption

Answer: B. To collect and analyze NetFlow data from network devices

Explanation:

The Cisco Stealthwatch Flow Collector, now part of Cisco Secure Network Analytics, is responsible for gathering and analyzing NetFlow or Flexible NetFlow data exported by network infrastructure devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls. This telemetry provides visibility into all communications across the network, allowing administrators to understand who is talking to whom, over what protocols, and for how long.

By analyzing flow data, Stealthwatch detects anomalies such as unusual data transfers, lateral movement, or command-and-control communications. The Flow Collector aggregates and normalizes this information, which is then processed by the Stealthwatch Management Console to generate behavioral analytics, risk scores, and security alerts.

Unlike packet capture solutions, flow data is lightweight and scalable, making it ideal for enterprise-wide visibility without the need for full packet storage. It can also integrate with Cisco ISE to add user identity context, enriching flow data for better forensic analysis.

The Flow Collector does not store firewall configurations, decrypt SSL traffic, or enforce access policies. Instead, it provides insight into how data moves through the network and identifies deviations from normal patterns that may indicate compromised hosts or insider threats.

This behavioral approach allows organizations to uncover threats that traditional signature-based systems might miss, contributing to a robust Zero Trust security framework through continuous monitoring and anomaly detection.

Question 33: 

Which Cisco technology provides network access control for devices that cannot perform 802.1X authentication?

A. Posture Assessment
B. MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)
C. Downloadable ACLs
D. RADIUS CoA

Answer: B. MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB)

Explanation: 

MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB) allows network access devices, such as switches or wireless controllers, to authenticate endpoints that do not support 802.1X. It uses the device’s MAC address as the credential, enabling basic network access control for devices like printers, IP phones, or cameras.

When 802.1X authentication fails or times out, the network device triggers MAB. The MAC address of the endpoint is sent via RADIUS to Cisco ISE or another AAA server. The server checks whether this MAC address is registered in its database and, if approved, returns authorization attributes like VLAN assignment or a downloadable ACL.

Although MAB is less secure than 802.1X because MAC addresses can be spoofed, it provides a necessary fallback mechanism for non-interactive or legacy devices. Administrators can enhance its security by combining it with profiling, which detects device types based on network behavior and assigns appropriate policies automatically.

Posture Assessment and dACLs are used after authentication for compliance or access enforcement, and RADIUS CoA allows dynamic policy updates. MAB specifically addresses the authentication phase for devices lacking 802.1X capabilities, ensuring consistent policy enforcement across all connected devices while maintaining operational flexibility.

Question 34: 

Which Cisco component provides centralized management for multiple Firepower devices?

A. Cisco FMC (Firepower Management Center)
B. Cisco Prime Infrastructure
C. Cisco SecureX
D. Cisco Secure Analytics

Answer: A. Cisco FMC (Firepower Management Center)

Explanation:

Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) serves as the centralized management and monitoring platform for multiple Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) and Firepower appliances. It enables administrators to configure policies, monitor network traffic, analyze threats, and generate reports from a unified interface.

Through FMC, organizations can manage various security features including intrusion prevention, access control, SSL decryption, network address translation (NAT), and file or malware inspection. It also provides event correlation and dashboards that display real-time insights into attacks, performance, and policy violations.

FMC collects and stores security events from all connected devices, making it easier to perform forensic analysis and compliance reporting. It supports policy inheritance and templates, allowing consistent configuration across distributed environments.

While Cisco Prime focuses on infrastructure management and SecureX provides an overarching orchestration layer, FMC is purpose-built for Firepower security management. Cisco Secure Analytics (Stealthwatch) specializes in network flow monitoring, not device configuration.

FMC enhances operational efficiency by offering centralized control, reducing manual configuration errors, and ensuring synchronized policy deployment across all Firepower nodes. This makes it an essential tool for managing complex, multi-site security architectures.

Question 35: 

Which feature in Cisco Firepower allows administrators to block applications such as social media or peer-to-peer sharing? 

A. Intrusion Policy
B. Application Control
C. URL Filtering
D. File Policy

Answer: B. Application Control

Explanation:

Application Control in Cisco Firepower provides advanced visibility and control over network traffic by identifying and managing applications regardless of port, protocol, or encryption. This capability relies on Cisco’s comprehensive application detection database, which recognizes thousands of applications including social media, streaming services, collaboration tools, and file-sharing platforms. By analyzing application signatures and behaviors, the system can accurately identify applications even when they use dynamic, non-standard, or encrypted ports.

Administrators can create granular access control policies to allow, block, or monitor specific applications or entire categories. For example, an organization might restrict peer-to-peer applications such as BitTorrent to prevent bandwidth misuse, while allowing productivity applications like Microsoft Teams or Webex to support business operations. These rules help align network activity with acceptable use policies and business priorities.

Application Control operates as part of Cisco Firepower’s integrated threat defense framework, working alongside other security features such as Intrusion Prevention, URL Filtering, and File Policies. While Intrusion Prevention focuses on detecting and stopping exploits, and URL Filtering manages access to web categories, Application Control uniquely governs which applications can communicate across the network. Similarly, File Policies handle malware inspection for transferred files but do not regulate application behavior directly.

By inspecting packet payloads and traffic patterns rather than relying on traditional port-based detection, Application Control ensures reliable identification in today’s encrypted and application-driven environments. This enhances both security and network efficiency by enabling administrators to enforce compliance, conserve bandwidth, and mitigate risks from shadow IT or unauthorized software.

Ultimately, Cisco Firepower’s Application Control delivers critical visibility into network activity, empowering organizations to balance performance, productivity, and security. It is a foundational component for maintaining control in modern networks where application awareness and context-driven policies are essential to protect users and data.

Question 36: 

Which Cisco VPN feature provides per-application access instead of full device tunneling?

A. Always-On VPN
B. Split Tunneling
C. VPN On Demand
D. Per App VPN

Answer: D. Per App VPN

Explanation:

Per App VPN is a Cisco feature designed to provide secure, application-specific tunneling instead of routing all device traffic through a single VPN connection. With this approach, only traffic generated by designated applications passes through the corporate VPN, while all other data flows directly to the internet. This selective tunneling significantly enhances both security and performance by minimizing unnecessary encryption and reducing bandwidth usage across the enterprise network.

The feature is particularly beneficial for mobile and remote users who require secure access to corporate resources without the overhead of routing every internet request through the company infrastructure. Supported by Cisco AnyConnect and Cisco Secure Client, Per App VPN can be configured on multiple operating systems such as iOS and Android, allowing administrators to specify which applications should automatically establish a VPN connection when launched.

Unlike other VPN modes, Always-On VPN maintains a continuous connection for all device traffic, Split Tunneling selectively excludes specific subnets from the VPN, and VPN On Demand activates tunnels only when accessing protected enterprise domains. Per App VPN, however, provides a more granular and adaptive control model, focusing exclusively on traffic from approved applications.

This method not only enhances data security but also preserves user privacy, ensuring that personal or non-business traffic remains outside corporate monitoring. Moreover, Per App VPN integrates seamlessly with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and Cisco Duo, enabling strong authentication, contextual access policies, and device posture assessment. These integrations reinforce Zero Trust principles, ensuring that access is granted only to verified users, devices, and applications.

By offering precise control over network access, Per App VPN helps organizations reduce attack surfaces, protect sensitive data, and deliver a secure yet user-friendly remote access experience—ideal for today’s hybrid and mobile work environments.

Question 37: 

Which Cisco security feature analyzes encrypted traffic without decryption?

A. SSL Policy
B. Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA)
C. NetFlow
D. Intrusion Prevention System

Answer: B. Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA)

Explanation:

Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) is an advanced security feature that enables network devices to identify malicious activity within encrypted traffic without decrypting it. As the majority of modern network traffic is now encrypted, traditional inspection tools often lose visibility and struggle to detect hidden threats. ETA addresses this challenge by analyzing metadata patterns within TLS (Transport Layer Security) sessions rather than relying on payload inspection.

ETA focuses on key indicators such as the initial packet sequence, byte distribution, and specific TLS handshake attributes including cipher suites and JA3 fingerprints. These characteristics, combined with machine learning models and detailed telemetry collected through NetFlow, allow ETA to determine whether encrypted sessions are likely benign or malicious. This approach ensures that privacy is preserved since the content of the encrypted traffic remains unread, yet the system retains the ability to detect suspicious behavior.

The collected data is analyzed by Cisco Secure Network Analytics (formerly Stealthwatch), which performs correlation, anomaly detection, and behavioral analysis to uncover potential threats such as malware or command-and-control communications hidden inside encrypted channels.

In contrast, traditional methods like SSL Policies require full decryption for inspection, which can be resource-intensive and may violate privacy or compliance requirements. Similarly, NetFlow alone provides basic flow information but lacks the depth needed for encrypted session analysis, and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) rely on payload inspection that is ineffective without decryption.

By delivering visibility into encrypted traffic without compromising privacy, Cisco ETA enables organizations to maintain robust threat detection, regulatory compliance, and network performance simultaneously. It is an essential technology for today’s security landscape, where encryption is ubiquitous but cyber threats remain sophisticated and persistent.

Question 38: 

Which Cisco product provides threat intelligence feeds for all Cisco security platforms? 

A. Cisco Talos
B. Cisco SecureX
C. Cisco Umbrella
D. Cisco AMP

Answer: A. Cisco Talos

Explanation:

Cisco Talos is the global threat intelligence and research division that powers the entire Cisco security ecosystem. Serving as the backbone of Cisco’s security intelligence, Talos continuously collects, analyzes, and interprets vast volumes of data to identify new and evolving cyber threats. Leveraging telemetry from millions of Cisco devices worldwide, as well as data from honeypots, sensors, customer feedback, and open-source intelligence feeds, Talos processes billions of events each day to detect malware, vulnerabilities, phishing campaigns, and large-scale attack operations in real time.

The intelligence generated by Talos is directly integrated into Cisco’s security solutions, including Firepower Next-Generation Firewalls, Secure Endpoint (formerly AMP for Endpoints), Cisco Umbrella, and Email Security. This integration ensures that every Cisco security product receives real-time, automated updates on malicious indicators such as IP addresses, URLs, domains, and file hashes. As a result, Cisco devices can proactively detect, block, and mitigate threats before they reach users or compromise systems.

Beyond automated intelligence feeds, Talos provides in-depth research reports, vulnerability disclosures, and public advisories that help organizations and security professionals stay informed about emerging risks. Its team of expert analysts and reverse engineers investigates advanced malware, exposes zero-day vulnerabilities, and works closely with global law enforcement agencies and industry partners to disrupt criminal infrastructure and dismantle active threat campaigns.

Within Cisco’s broader security architecture, Cisco SecureX uses Talos intelligence for incident correlation and automated response, while solutions like Secure Endpoint and Umbrella apply it operationally at the endpoint, DNS, and cloud layers. Despite the variety of Cisco’s products, Talos remains the central engine generating and distributing the threat intelligence that fuels them all.

By combining massive global visibility, advanced analytics, and expert research, Cisco Talos delivers unparalleled situational awareness and rapid protection updates across Cisco’s security portfolio. It stands as a cornerstone of Cisco’s global defense strategy, ensuring that organizations benefit from proactive, intelligence-driven protection against the constantly evolving threat landscape.

Question 39: 

Which Cisco ASA feature allows VPN users to be authenticated using external identity sources?

A. Local Database
B. Dynamic Access Policy
C. AAA Server Integration
D. SSL Policy

Answer: C. AAA Server Integration

Explanation: 

Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) supports AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) Server Integration to authenticate VPN users using external identity sources such as RADIUS, TACACS+, LDAP, or Microsoft Active Directory. Rather than maintaining individual user credentials locally on the ASA, authentication requests are securely forwarded to the configured AAA server. The external server validates the user’s identity and returns authorization attributes that define access rights and privileges.

This centralized approach ensures consistent policy enforcement across the network and simplifies user management. For instance, when users connect through Cisco AnyConnect, their credentials can be authenticated against an organization’s Active Directory using RADIUS. Once verified, the AAA server may send back parameters such as VLAN assignments, access control lists (ACLs), or group policies that determine session behavior and resource access.

Dynamic Access Policies (DAP) enhance this framework by applying context-aware controls based on user identity, device posture, or connection type. However, DAP still depends on AAA integration to validate and retrieve user attributes before enforcing conditional access rules. While the ASA’s local database can be used as a fallback authentication source, it is not scalable or practical for large enterprise deployments.

Integrating AAA servers allows organizations to enable multifactor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and centralized user management across multiple Cisco security solutions. This improves both security and operational efficiency by eliminating the need for duplicate user databases and reducing administrative overhead.

Overall, AAA Server Integration on Cisco ASA delivers strong authentication, centralized authorization, and comprehensive accounting, ensuring secure, scalable, and consistent access control for VPN and remote users. It forms a vital part of Cisco’s identity-centric security architecture, aligning authentication practices with enterprise-grade network protection.

Question 40: 

Which Cisco solution provides visibility and protection for workloads in Kubernetes and cloud environments?

A. Cisco AMP
B. Cisco Secure Workload (Tetration)
C. Cisco Umbrella
D. Cisco Duo

Answer: B. Cisco Secure Workload (Tetration)

Explanation:

Cisco Secure Workload, formerly known as Tetration, delivers comprehensive visibility, segmentation, and protection for applications and workloads across on-premises data centers, public clouds, and Kubernetes environments. It continuously collects telemetry data from workloads—such as process activity, network connections, and software dependencies—to build a complete map of communication flows and application behaviors within the environment.

With this deep visibility, administrators can design and enforce microsegmentation policies that strictly control which workloads are allowed to communicate. By allowing only legitimate, necessary connections, Secure Workload significantly reduces the attack surface and prevents lateral movement of threats in the event of a compromise. The platform also performs continuous behavioral monitoring, detecting anomalies or deviations from normal activity that could signal malicious behavior or policy violations.

Secure Workload integrates natively with major cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), as well as Kubernetes clusters, ensuring consistent security policies and compliance across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It offers both agent-based and agentless data collection, allowing flexibility in deployment and coverage.

While other Cisco solutions address different security layers—Cisco AMP (Secure Endpoint) for malware protection, Cisco Umbrella for DNS-layer security, and Cisco Duo for identity-based access control—Secure Workload focuses specifically on the workload and application layer. This specialization enables true Zero Trust segmentation, ensuring that every communication between workloads is verified and authorized.

By combining behavioral analytics, machine learning, and automated policy enforcement, Cisco Secure Workload empowers organizations to achieve secure application delivery, maintain regulatory compliance, and reduce operational risk in today’s dynamic, cloud-native environments. It provides the unified visibility and control necessary to protect modern distributed applications from evolving threats.