Cisco 350-701 Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 5 Q81-100

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Question 81: 

Which Cisco technology provides centralized orchestration and configuration management for multiple Secure Firewall devices across distributed networks? 

A. Cisco Defense Orchestrator
B. Cisco SecureX
C. Cisco Firepower Management Center
D. Cisco Stealthwatch

Answer: A. Cisco Defense Orchestrator

Explanation: 

Cisco Defense Orchestrator (CDO) is a cloud-based management platform that simplifies the administration of Cisco security devices, including Secure Firewall Threat Defense (FTD), ASA firewalls, and Meraki security appliances. It provides a centralized dashboard where administrators can create, deploy, and synchronize security policies across multiple firewalls from a single interface. This cloud-managed approach reduces operational overhead, ensuring consistency and compliance across distributed environments.

Unlike Firepower Management Center, which is typically deployed on-premises, CDO is hosted in the cloud, allowing global accessibility and simplified scaling. Administrators can make configuration changes, deploy updates, and manage rule sets remotely without requiring direct access to individual devices. The platform also supports configuration comparison and rollback, allowing teams to quickly identify and remediate policy mismatches.

One of CDO’s key features is its integration with Cisco SecureX, enabling cross-platform visibility and threat response automation. CDO can ingest telemetry data and coordinate enforcement across multiple security technologies, aligning with Cisco’s Zero Trust security framework. It also integrates with version control systems and APIs, supporting automation workflows through Cisco’s RESTful interfaces.

By automating repetitive administrative tasks, CDO reduces the risk of human error while improving operational efficiency. It offers built-in audit trails and compliance reporting, making it easier to meet organizational and regulatory security standards. Overall, Cisco Defense Orchestrator provides a unified, scalable, and cloud-native management solution for modern, distributed firewall environments.

Question 82: 

Which Cisco solution is designed to secure workloads in multi-cloud and hybrid data center environments using micro-segmentation?

A. Cisco Secure Workload (Tetration)
B. Cisco Stealthwatch
C. Cisco Umbrella
D. Cisco Firepower

Answer: A. Cisco Secure Workload (Tetration)

Explanation:

Cisco Secure Workload, formerly known as Cisco Tetration, is a comprehensive workload protection platform that secures applications running across on-premises data centers, private clouds, and public cloud environments. It uses deep visibility and analytics to enable micro-segmentation, ensuring that workloads communicate only with authorized entities.

The platform continuously monitors all communications between applications, workloads, and servers using telemetry collected from agents and network sensors. By establishing a baseline of normal application behavior, it can detect unauthorized communication attempts, policy violations, and lateral movement by attackers. This visibility allows administrators to design granular policies that restrict communication paths based on least privilege principles.

Unlike Cisco Stealthwatch, which focuses on flow analytics, Secure Workload operates at the workload level, providing process-level insight. It also integrates with orchestration tools like Kubernetes and VMware to dynamically apply segmentation policies to containers and virtual machines.

Cisco Umbrella secures internet traffic, while Firepower focuses on perimeter defense. Secure Workload addresses east-west traffic visibility, a critical blind spot in many hybrid environments. It automates policy creation by observing traffic patterns and suggesting rules that can be enforced without disrupting legitimate business processes.

This automation ensures that micro-segmentation is scalable across large, dynamic infrastructures. Secure Workload’s continuous policy enforcement, coupled with real-time analytics and anomaly detection, strengthens overall security posture and supports Zero Trust principles by continuously validating every workload communication across hybrid environments.

Question 83: 

Which Cisco feature in ISE allows it to share contextual data with third-party security tools to enable coordinated incident response?

A. Cisco Platform Exchange Grid (pxGrid)
B. Adaptive Network Control
C. RADIUS Change of Authorization
D. TrustSec Tagging

Answer: A. Cisco Platform Exchange Grid (pxGrid)

Explanation: 

The Cisco Platform Exchange Grid (pxGrid) is a powerful integration framework that allows Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) to exchange contextual data with other security systems in a bi-directional manner. pxGrid is built on an open, scalable, and secure architecture that facilitates data sharing across multiple vendor solutions, enabling a coordinated and automated response to security events.

Through pxGrid, Cisco ISE can share user identity, device posture, session details, and group membership information with other platforms such as Cisco Stealthwatch, Firepower, and third-party SIEMs or endpoint protection systems. This enables threat detection and enforcement systems to take contextual action—for example, quarantining a compromised host or dynamically adjusting its network privileges.

Adaptive Network Control (ANC) enforces endpoint isolation, while Change of Authorization (CoA) messages update access conditions on network devices. TrustSec Tagging labels traffic for policy enforcement but does not perform cross-platform integration. pxGrid connects all these components, allowing them to act cohesively.

This collaboration extends beyond Cisco technologies to third-party vendors, thanks to pxGrid’s open API framework. For instance, an endpoint detection system can inform ISE about a malware infection, prompting ISE to trigger network-level remediation through integrated devices.

pxGrid’s ability to unify diverse security systems provides a key foundation for Zero Trust operations. It ensures that real-time context is shared seamlessly between detection, access control, and enforcement layers, reducing response time and improving overall network resilience.

Question 84: 

Which feature allows Cisco Firepower devices to filter or bypass specific network traffic before deep inspection, improving performance and efficiency?

A. Prefilter Policy
B. Security Intelligence
C. Intrusion Policy
D. Access Control Policy 

Answer: A. Prefilter Policy

Explanation:

In Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD), the Prefilter Policy is a specialized mechanism designed to optimize performance and streamline packet handling by allowing certain network traffic to be filtered, fast-pathed, or bypassed before it undergoes full deep packet inspection. This approach improves system efficiency by reserving the inspection engine’s resources for traffic that truly requires in-depth analysis, while trusted or predictable traffic can be handled more efficiently.

The Prefilter Policy functions at the earliest stage of the packet-processing pipeline. Before any packet reaches the main Access Control Policy or Intrusion Prevention components, the Prefilter Policy examines it based on simple yet powerful matching criteria. Administrators can define prefilter rules using attributes such as source and destination IP addresses, network zones, ports, and protocols. Because these criteria are evaluated before session establishment or inspection, decision-making is extremely fast and has minimal impact on system performance.

For example, replication traffic between two trusted data centers might consist of large volumes of predictable packets that do not require deep inspection for every session. Similarly, encrypted VPN tunnel traffic or backup synchronization data might be allowed to bypass the deep packet inspection process altogether. On the other hand, any traffic that is unknown, suspicious, or policy-violating can be dropped immediately at this early stage, preventing it from consuming further system resources.

While the Access Control Policy is the core policy layer where detailed inspection, intrusion detection, and threat prevention occur, the Prefilter Policy acts as a front-line decision gate that determines which traffic should continue deeper into the processing pipeline. This layered approach allows administrators to strike a balance between performance and security.

It is important to differentiate the Prefilter Policy from other Firepower features that also contribute to traffic management and threat detection. Security Intelligence, for instance, operates by checking IP addresses, URLs, or domain reputations against global threat databases. It can automatically block or allow traffic based on these reputations but still works at a different stage in the process than Prefilter Policies. Intrusion Policies, by contrast, come into play later in the inspection process and rely on signature-based detection and behavioral analysis to identify known or emerging threats within the inspected traffic.

Prefilter Policies are configured and managed through the Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC), which serves as the centralized control point for all Firepower devices and policies. Within FMC, administrators can define prefilter rules, assign them to devices, and monitor their performance using detailed reports and dashboards. Prefilter and Access Control Policies are evaluated hierarchically, meaning that prefilter actions take precedence, followed by Security Intelligence filtering, and finally, Access Control and Intrusion Policies.

The available prefilter actions typically include FastPath, Block, and Analyze. FastPath allows certain traffic to bypass further inspection entirely, significantly reducing CPU utilization and latency for flows deemed safe or repetitive. The Block action denies traffic immediately, preventing unwanted connections from progressing through the system. The Analyze action forwards traffic to subsequent inspection layers for deeper scrutiny when necessary.

The benefits of implementing Prefilter Policies extend beyond performance gains. By segmenting and classifying traffic early, organizations can create a more organized and efficient security posture. High-volume, trusted data flows can continue uninterrupted, while potential attack vectors are quickly identified and dropped before consuming deeper resources. This efficiency directly contributes to improved throughput and lower latency, which are essential in high-performance or large-scale environments such as data centers, service provider networks, and enterprise backbones.

In situations where gigabit or multi-gigabit throughput is required, every millisecond of processing time matters. By filtering or fast-pathing traffic at the earliest possible stage, Cisco Firepower can maintain optimal performance levels without sacrificing visibility or control. Additionally, administrators can layer Prefilter Policies with Access Control and Security Intelligence rules, providing a flexible and hierarchical security model that can be customized for specific network architectures or operational requirements.

Question 85: 

Which Cisco technology provides endpoint protection by using file trajectory tracking, sandboxing, and retrospective security capabilities?

A. Cisco Secure Endpoint (AMP)
B. Cisco Umbrella
C. Cisco Firepower
D. Cisco SecureX

 Answer: A. Cisco Secure Endpoint (AMP)

Explanation:

Cisco Secure Endpoint, formerly known as Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), is a comprehensive, next-generation endpoint security solution designed to detect, prevent, and respond to advanced threats targeting desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and servers. Its architecture integrates continuous monitoring, advanced analytics, and cloud-based intelligence to protect endpoints against malware, ransomware, and zero-day attacks.

When a file first appears on an endpoint, Cisco Secure Endpoint calculates a unique cryptographic hash of the file and checks it against the global threat intelligence database maintained by Cisco Talos, one of the world’s largest commercial cybersecurity research teams. If the hash corresponds to a known malicious file, the file is immediately quarantined or blocked before execution. If the file is unknown or of uncertain reputation, Secure Endpoint allows it to execute in a controlled environment while monitoring its behavior in real time.

Suspicious files can be submitted automatically to Cisco Threat Grid, the integrated cloud-based sandbox environment. In Threat Grid, the file is executed safely in isolation, allowing analysts and automated systems to observe its behavior, including system calls, network communications, registry changes, and file modifications. This sandboxing capability provides rich forensic insight into whether the file exhibits malicious characteristics, such as data exfiltration attempts or privilege escalation.

A key innovation of Cisco Secure Endpoint is its file trajectory tracking feature. File trajectory creates a comprehensive record of every file observed within the organization, noting when and where it first appeared, which users or endpoints accessed it, and how it moved across the network. If a file initially deemed benign is later identified as malicious, the trajectory data allows administrators to instantly trace its spread across the environment and take corrective action. This retrospective capability enables security teams to respond to evolving threats that may evade initial detection.

Retrospective security is particularly powerful because it accounts for the fact that threat intelligence evolves over time. A file that appears harmless today might later be flagged as dangerous once new global intelligence becomes available. Cisco Secure Endpoint continuously correlates this updated intelligence against historical file data, automatically alerting administrators and taking action when past files are reclassified as threats.

Beyond file analysis, Secure Endpoint provides continuous endpoint monitoring. It observes running processes, network connections, and user behaviors to identify anomalous activities that may indicate compromise. When malicious activity is detected, the platform can automatically quarantine the affected endpoint, block communications, or remove infected files. Administrators can view detailed forensic data and event timelines within the Secure Endpoint console, allowing them to conduct fast and accurate incident response.

While Cisco Secure Endpoint focuses on protecting endpoints, it complements other Cisco security technologies. Cisco Umbrella secures internet traffic at the DNS and web layers, blocking threats before connections are established. Cisco Firepower provides deep packet inspection and intrusion prevention at the network level. Cisco SecureX acts as the unifying layer that integrates these systems, offering centralized visibility, automation, and response coordination.

Together, these technologies form Cisco’s Extended Detection and Response (XDR) framework. Within this ecosystem, Secure Endpoint plays a central role by delivering the visibility and control needed to detect and contain endpoint-level threats quickly. It contributes detailed telemetry data that SecureX uses to correlate incidents across different parts of the environment, enabling automated remediation workflows.

Cisco Secure Endpoint also aligns with Zero Trust security principles by continuously verifying the integrity of endpoints rather than assuming trust once access is granted. It helps prevent lateral movement within the network by identifying compromised devices early and enforcing isolation until they are remediated.

The platform supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms, providing consistent protection across diverse enterprise environments. Cloud management and reporting make deployment and maintenance straightforward, while integration with Cisco’s Talos intelligence ensures that threat data remains constantly updated and globally synchronized.

Question 86: 

Which Cisco feature allows for secure segmentation in networks by assigning security tags to users and devices rather than relying on IP addresses? 

A. Cisco TrustSec
B. Cisco Firepower
C. Cisco Umbrella
D. Cisco Stealthwatch

Answer: A. Cisco TrustSec

Explanation: 

Cisco TrustSec is an identity-based network segmentation technology that simplifies policy enforcement by assigning Security Group Tags (SGTs) to users, devices, or applications rather than using static IP-based rules. This approach enables dynamic segmentation and consistent policy application across wired, wireless, and VPN environments.

When a user or device authenticates through Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), it receives an SGT that defines its security context based on role, posture, or device type. Network devices such as switches, wireless controllers, and firewalls propagate these tags alongside traffic, enforcing communication rules through Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs).

This eliminates the need for complex VLAN architectures and IP-based ACLs, which are difficult to manage at scale. For example, administrators can define policies such as “Finance can access HR applications” or “Guests cannot communicate with internal servers” using group identities rather than subnets.

Cisco Firepower provides perimeter protection, Umbrella secures DNS-level traffic, and Stealthwatch analyzes network behavior. TrustSec complements these by controlling east-west communication within the network fabric.

By decoupling security from network topology, Cisco TrustSec provides agility, scalability, and visibility across the entire infrastructure. It supports Zero Trust principles by enforcing least privilege and continuous verification of identity, ensuring that access rights are dynamically aligned with real-time context and posture.

Question 87: 

Which Cisco technology provides adaptive multi-factor authentication (MFA) and device trust for securing user access to applications and resources?

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

Answer: A. Cisco Duo

Explanation: 

Cisco Duo is a cloud-based security solution that provides adaptive multi-factor authentication (MFA), device trust, and secure access control for applications and corporate resources. It ensures that only verified users and trusted devices can access critical systems, significantly reducing the risk of credential-based attacks. Duo’s adaptive approach evaluates multiple contextual factors—such as user identity, device health, location, and behavior—before granting access, aligning with the principles of Zero Trust security.

Duo’s authentication methods include push notifications, passcodes, and biometric verification, supporting integration with both on-premises and cloud-based applications. Its flexible deployment model enables secure access without the need for traditional VPN connectivity. The Duo Device Health application checks endpoint compliance by verifying operating system versions, encryption status, and security configurations. If a device fails policy checks, it can be denied access or required to remediate before reattempting authentication.

Unlike Cisco Umbrella, which provides DNS-layer protection, or Cisco ISE, which handles network access control, Duo focuses specifically on user authentication and device verification at the application level. When integrated with SecureX, Duo’s telemetry enhances visibility into identity-based access events, enabling organizations to respond quickly to anomalies.

By continuously verifying users and devices at every access attempt, Duo enforces least privilege and prevents lateral movement by compromised credentials. This adaptive authentication process is essential in a modern threat landscape where stolen passwords remain one of the most common vectors for breaches. Through its simplicity, flexibility, and strong integration capabilities, Cisco Duo helps organizations achieve a secure, user-friendly Zero Trust Access model.

Question 88: 

Which Cisco solution provides cloud-native, full-proxy Secure Web Gateway (SWG) capabilities to inspect and control web traffic for remote and branch users? 

A. Cisco Umbrella SIG
B. Cisco Firepower
C. Cisco Secure Email
D. Cisco ISE

Answer: A. Cisco Umbrella SIG

Explanation: 

Cisco Umbrella Secure Internet Gateway (SIG) is a cloud-delivered solution that provides full-proxy Secure Web Gateway (SWG) functionality, allowing organizations to inspect, filter, and control all web traffic from users—regardless of their location. Unlike traditional on-premises gateways, Umbrella SIG extends web security to roaming and remote users without requiring backhauling to a central data center.

Umbrella SIG integrates DNS-layer protection, firewall-as-a-service, cloud access security broker (CASB), and data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities into a unified platform. It inspects both HTTP and HTTPS traffic through its intelligent proxy, blocking malware, phishing attempts, and policy-violating content in real-time. The solution relies on Cisco Talos threat intelligence to continuously update URL reputations and detect emerging web-based attacks.

While Cisco Firepower inspects network packets at the perimeter, Umbrella SIG enforces user-level web access policies directly in the cloud. It also provides detailed reporting on user activity, allowing administrators to monitor compliance and optimize productivity. Cisco Secure Email protects the email vector, and Cisco ISE focuses on network access control, but Umbrella SIG uniquely addresses internet-bound traffic protection.

The full-proxy architecture allows deep inspection of all web sessions, including SSL-decrypted traffic, ensuring that threats embedded in encrypted content are identified and blocked. Umbrella SIG’s scalability and ease of deployment make it ideal for organizations adopting secure access service edge (SASE) architectures.

By combining multiple security functions into one cloud-delivered solution, Cisco Umbrella SIG ensures consistent protection and visibility across hybrid workforces, helping organizations implement Zero Trust internet access efficiently.

Question 89: 

Which Cisco technology integrates with Cisco ISE to automate device quarantine and remediation when a network threat is detected?

A. Cisco Stealthwatch
B. Cisco SecureX
C. Cisco Umbrella
D. Cisco AnyConnect

Answer: A. Cisco Stealthwatch

Explanation: 

Cisco Stealthwatch, now rebranded as Cisco Secure Network Analytics, provides network behavior analysis and threat detection capabilities that integrate tightly with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for automated response and remediation. When Stealthwatch detects abnormal network behavior—such as lateral movement, data exfiltration, or command-and-control activity—it can trigger automated actions through ISE to isolate or quarantine the affected device.

This integration is facilitated through pxGrid, which allows bi-directional communication between Stealthwatch and ISE. Stealthwatch identifies suspicious network entities based on flow telemetry data collected via NetFlow or IPFIX, while ISE enforces network access policies. When a compromised endpoint is detected, ISE can dynamically reassign it to a quarantine VLAN, apply restricted access, or trigger notifications for further investigation.

Cisco Umbrella focuses on DNS-layer security, SecureX provides visibility and orchestration, and AnyConnect delivers secure VPN connectivity. However, Stealthwatch’s behavioral analytics specifically enable internal threat detection and automated containment via ISE.

By continuously analyzing traffic patterns and establishing behavioral baselines, Stealthwatch can detect even encrypted threats without decryption using Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA). The combination of Stealthwatch and ISE provides a powerful Zero Trust enforcement model, where detection and response occur automatically and in real-time.

This automation reduces response time, minimizes manual intervention, and ensures that security teams can focus on root-cause analysis rather than reactive measures. It effectively bridges network visibility with access control, achieving a proactive and adaptive defense mechanism within Cisco’s security ecosystem.

Question 90: 

Which feature of Cisco Secure Firewall allows for deep packet inspection and application-aware threat prevention?

A. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
B. Prefilter Policy
C. Security Intelligence
D. NAT Policy

Answer: A. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

Explanation: 

The Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) in Cisco Secure Firewall provides deep packet inspection (DPI) to detect and prevent network-based threats such as exploits, malware, and command-and-control communication. The IPS engine uses a combination of signature-based detection, protocol analysis, and anomaly detection to identify suspicious activities across various layers of the network stack.

Cisco’s Firepower IPS leverages Snort, an open-source intrusion detection and prevention framework enhanced with Cisco’s proprietary rule sets and threat intelligence from Talos. It inspects network traffic in real-time, comparing payloads against known attack signatures while also identifying zero-day attacks through heuristic analysis.

Unlike Prefilter Policies, which determine whether traffic should undergo inspection, or Security Intelligence, which blocks connections based on reputation, the IPS examines packet contents for malicious intent. The IPS can also perform inline blocking or generate alerts depending on the configured policy mode.

The Firepower Management Center (FMC) provides centralized configuration, rule tuning, and reporting for IPS policies, enabling administrators to balance performance and security. Continuous updates from Talos ensure protection against emerging threats, maintaining current coverage against evolving vulnerabilities.

By combining contextual awareness with advanced inspection techniques, Cisco’s IPS supports threat prevention as part of an integrated defense-in-depth strategy. It helps organizations meet compliance requirements, reduce exposure to advanced persistent threats, and enhance overall network resilience against exploitation attempts.

Question 91: 

Which Cisco solution allows integration of endpoint, network, and cloud telemetry to provide unified detection and response capabilities across environments?

A. Cisco SecureX
B. Cisco Umbrella
C. Cisco Firepower
D. Cisco Duo

Answer: A. Cisco SecureX

Explanation: 

Cisco SecureX is a cloud-native security platform that unifies visibility, automation, and analytics across Cisco’s security portfolio and third-party integrations. It aggregates telemetry from multiple sources—including endpoints (Secure Endpoint), networks (Firepower and Stealthwatch), and cloud services (Umbrella and Secure Email)—to deliver extended detection and response (XDR) capabilities.

SecureX provides a centralized dashboard where security teams can investigate threats, correlate events, and orchestrate automated responses. By linking data from disparate systems, it eliminates silos and accelerates the identification of attack chains that span multiple vectors. Its customizable workflows enable automated incident response, reducing the mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR).

Unlike Cisco Umbrella or Duo, which focus on specific protection layers, SecureX serves as the overarching integration layer. It connects Cisco and third-party tools through APIs, offering a unified threat intelligence view powered by Cisco Talos. This interoperability allows organizations to execute consistent security policies and responses across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures.

SecureX’s automation capabilities include playbooks for common tasks such as quarantining compromised endpoints, blocking malicious domains, or notifying administrators through integrated communication platforms.

By consolidating data and automating responses, Cisco SecureX provides operational efficiency and end-to-end visibility across the security landscape. It is a cornerstone of Cisco’s Zero Trust and XDR strategies, helping organizations move from reactive defense to proactive, automated threat management.

Question 92: 

Which feature of Cisco ISE enables it to assess endpoint compliance before granting network access?

A. Posture Assessment
B. pxGrid
C. Profiling
D. TrustSec

Answer: A. Posture Assessment

Explanation: 

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) uses Posture Assessment to evaluate the security compliance of endpoints before granting them access to the network. This feature determines whether a device meets organizational security policies by checking for criteria such as antivirus presence, software updates, disk encryption, and firewall status.

When a device connects, the ISE posture agent (either AnyConnect or the native posture module) collects information from the endpoint and compares it against configured posture policies. If the device passes, it is granted full access; if it fails, ISE can place it in a remediation VLAN or restrict access until compliance is achieved.

Profiling identifies the type of device connecting, pxGrid enables data sharing with other security tools, and TrustSec provides policy enforcement via security group tags. However, Posture Assessment specifically verifies device health and compliance.

This functionality is crucial in enforcing Zero Trust principles, ensuring that only trusted and compliant devices can access sensitive resources. Integration with patch management and endpoint protection systems enables automated remediation, streamlining compliance enforcement.

Through continuous verification, Cisco ISE Posture Assessment enhances organizational security hygiene, preventing compromised or non-compliant devices from becoming attack vectors within the network.

Question 93: 

Which Cisco technology analyzes DNS requests to block connections to known malicious domains before IP resolution occurs?

A. Cisco Umbrella
B. Cisco Firepower
C. Cisco Stealthwatch
D. Cisco Secure Endpoint

Answer: A. Cisco Umbrella

Explanation: 

Cisco Umbrella provides DNS-layer security by intercepting and analyzing DNS requests to block connections to known malicious or suspicious domains before the device can resolve their IP addresses. This proactive approach prevents users from reaching phishing sites, command-and-control servers, or domains associated with malware distribution.

When a user initiates a DNS query, Umbrella checks it against its cloud-based threat intelligence database maintained by Cisco Talos. If the domain is categorized as malicious, the request is blocked immediately. Legitimate requests are resolved normally, and suspicious requests may be redirected for deeper inspection via the Umbrella proxy.

Unlike Cisco Firepower, which operates at the network layer, Umbrella protects at the DNS level, providing faster and broader protection without requiring complex deployment. Stealthwatch analyzes network flows, and Secure Endpoint defends devices; however, Umbrella stops threats earlier in the attack chain.

By operating in the cloud, Umbrella offers global coverage and minimal latency, making it especially effective for remote users. It is a foundational component of Cisco’s Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Zero Trust strategies, offering scalable, always-on protection that prevents connections to harmful destinations before any data exchange occurs.

Question 94: 

Which Cisco solution provides visibility into encrypted network traffic without decryption by analyzing packet metadata patterns?

A. Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA)
B. Cisco Firepower
C. Cisco Umbrella
D. Cisco SecureX

Answer: A. Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA)

Explanation: 

Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) enables the detection of malware and anomalous behavior in encrypted traffic without decrypting it. ETA analyzes packet metadata—such as TLS handshake information, flow records, and sequence patterns—to identify suspicious communication indicative of malicious activity.

This technology combines NetFlow telemetry from Cisco switches and routers with machine learning algorithms that distinguish between normal and abnormal encrypted sessions. For example, ETA can detect malware using encrypted command-and-control channels or data exfiltration attempts without violating user privacy.

Firepower provides payload inspection, Umbrella focuses on DNS-layer security, and SecureX integrates telemetry, but ETA specifically analyzes encrypted traffic patterns.

By maintaining visibility into encrypted environments, ETA ensures security teams do not lose detection capability as encryption becomes more prevalent. It complements other Cisco tools like Stealthwatch for behavioral analysis and ISE for context-aware policy enforcement.

ETA enhances Zero Trust network visibility and reduces blind spots by revealing hidden threats while preserving encryption’s confidentiality benefits.

Question 95: 

Which Cisco technology enables automatic threat containment by correlating endpoint and network data through shared intelligence? 

A. Cisco SecureX Orchestration
B. Cisco AnyConnect
C. Cisco Umbrella
D. Cisco Secure Email

Answer: A. Cisco SecureX Orchestration

Explanation: 

Cisco SecureX Orchestration provides automation and correlation across Cisco’s security ecosystem, allowing for automatic threat containment and response. It integrates data from endpoints, networks, cloud applications, and third-party tools to create a coordinated defense workflow.

When a suspicious event is detected—such as a malicious file or domain—SecureX can automatically execute actions across integrated systems, like quarantining endpoints via Secure Endpoint, blocking domains in Umbrella, or isolating network segments in Firepower.

AnyConnect provides VPN connectivity, Umbrella secures DNS, and Secure Email filters mail threats, but SecureX Orchestration unifies them through automated playbooks.

Its drag-and-drop interface enables security teams to design workflows that automate repetitive tasks such as enrichment, alert triage, and mitigation. This reduces manual workload, response times, and human error.

By automating threat containment, SecureX Orchestration enhances operational efficiency and strengthens incident response, aligning with Zero Trust principles and the need for continuous, adaptive defense.

Question 96: 

Which Cisco Secure Firewall feature ensures traffic from known trusted or malicious IP addresses is allowed or blocked before inspection?

A. Security Intelligence
B. Access Control Policy
C. Intrusion Policy
D. NAT Policy

Answer: A. Security Intelligence

Explanation:

Security Intelligence in Cisco Secure Firewall provides reputation-based filtering that allows or blocks network traffic based on IP, URL, or domain reputation before it undergoes deep inspection. This pre-filtering mechanism enhances performance by reducing the inspection load and stopping high-risk traffic early in the pipeline.

The feature leverages threat intelligence from Cisco Talos, which maintains continuously updated blacklists and whitelists of malicious and trusted sources. Administrators can customize these lists and import third-party feeds as well.

Unlike Access Control and Intrusion Policies, which analyze packets in detail, Security Intelligence makes decisions immediately upon identifying the source or destination. NAT Policies handle address translation and are unrelated to reputation filtering.

By integrating real-time threat intelligence, Security Intelligence prevents known bad actors from entering the network, reducing exposure and improving overall efficiency. It forms an essential layer of Cisco’s defense-in-depth strategy by combining speed, automation, and proactive threat prevention.

Question 97: 

Which Cisco technology provides advanced phishing detection and URL rewriting for email security?

A. Cisco Secure Email
B. Cisco Secure Endpoint
C. Cisco Firepower
D. Cisco Umbrella

Answer: A. Cisco Secure Email

Explanation: 

Cisco Secure Email protects organizations from phishing, spam, and malware through advanced detection techniques and URL rewriting. The system inspects email content, attachments, and embedded links to identify and neutralize malicious intent before messages reach users’ inboxes.

URL rewriting ensures that links within emails are analyzed and redirected through Cisco’s real-time scanning service at the time of click, blocking access to newly identified malicious domains. Combined with Cisco Talos threat intelligence, Secure Email identifies evolving phishing campaigns and prevents credential theft.

Secure Endpoint defends devices, Firepower inspects network traffic, and Umbrella handles DNS security. Secure Email focuses exclusively on the email vector, integrating with SecureX for unified incident response.

By continuously monitoring and retroactively analyzing attachments through sandboxing and file reputation, Secure Email ensures both pre-delivery and post-delivery protection. Its ability to integrate encryption, DLP, and authentication mechanisms like DMARC enhances both security and compliance.

Question 98: 

Which Cisco feature allows enforcement of identity-based security policies across multiple network domains using SGT propagation?

A. Cisco TrustSec
B. Cisco Firepower
C. Cisco ISE Posture
D. Cisco Umbrella

 Answer: A. Cisco TrustSec

Explanation:

Cisco TrustSec is a network security architecture that enables organizations to implement identity-based access control and dynamic segmentation throughout their infrastructure. It uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) as the foundation for enforcing consistent security policies across wired, wireless, and VPN domains. By attaching SGTs to packets as they move across the network, TrustSec ensures that policy enforcement decisions are made based on identity and context rather than static network constructs such as IP addresses or VLANs.

In a traditional network, segmentation and policy control are often tied to IP addressing schemes and VLAN boundaries. While functional, this approach becomes complex and unmanageable in large, dynamic environments where users, devices, and workloads frequently change. Cisco TrustSec addresses this challenge by abstracting identity from the underlying network topology. Instead of relying on subnet-based configurations, it uses SGTs to label traffic according to user roles, device types, or compliance status.

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) serves as the central authority for assigning these SGTs. When a user or device authenticates to the network, ISE evaluates its credentials, posture, and group membership to determine which SGT to apply. For instance, an employee might receive an SGT labeled “Engineering,” while a contractor might receive “Contractor,” and a guest might be assigned “Guest.” These tags travel with the user’s traffic as it moves throughout the network.

The propagation of SGTs across network domains is made possible by the Security Group Tag Exchange Protocol (SXP). This protocol allows SGT information to be transmitted between network devices even if they do not natively support inline tagging. Using SXP, firewalls, routers, and switches can exchange identity information, ensuring that every policy enforcement point in the network can make consistent access control decisions.

At each enforcement point, devices evaluate traffic using Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs). These SGACLs define what types of communication are allowed between specific security groups. For example, systems tagged as “Finance” may have permission to access “Finance Database” servers but not to interact with “Guest” systems. This fine-grained control allows for microsegmentation, reducing the risk of lateral movement within the network and enhancing the overall security posture.

Cisco TrustSec integrates seamlessly with other Cisco technologies to create a unified security architecture. While Cisco Firepower provides deep packet inspection and intrusion prevention, and Cisco Umbrella offers DNS-layer protection, TrustSec focuses specifically on identity-based segmentation and policy enforcement. Cisco ISE acts as the policy decision engine that ties them all together, ensuring consistent identity and access management across the enterprise.

One of the major benefits of TrustSec is scalability. Because SGT-based policies are identity-driven and not dependent on network topology, organizations can make changes to access policies without needing to redesign VLANs or update numerous ACLs. This flexibility is crucial in dynamic, hybrid environments where users move between offices, cloud networks, and remote locations.

By decoupling identity from IP addressing, Cisco TrustSec simplifies network policy management, enhances agility, and enables adaptive Zero Trust segmentation. It enforces the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users and devices only access resources for which they are explicitly authorized. TrustSec thus forms a cornerstone of Cisco’s Zero Trust security model, where access is continuously verified and dynamically enforced based on real-time identity and context.

Question 99: 

Which Cisco tool provides visibility into security policy usage and recommends optimization of access control rules?

A. Cisco Secure Firewall Policy Analyzer
B. Cisco Stealthwatch
C. Cisco Umbrella
D. Cisco SecureX

Answer: A. Cisco Secure Firewall Policy Analyzer

Explanation:

The Cisco Secure Firewall Policy Analyzer is a powerful management and optimization tool designed to help administrators analyze, audit, and refine access control policies across Cisco Firepower systems. Over time, as firewalls evolve and rules are added to accommodate new applications, users, and business requirements, configurations can become overly complex. This complexity can lead to redundant or conflicting rules, reduced performance, and security gaps. The Policy Analyzer addresses these challenges by providing visibility into rule usage and recommending improvements to streamline policy structure and enhance efficiency.

By collecting and analyzing historical traffic data and rule hit counts, the Policy Analyzer identifies which rules are actively being used and which remain unused or redundant. It can also detect shadowed rules—entries that are never matched because higher-priority rules override them. Removing these unnecessary or overlapping rules helps reduce policy size, simplify management, and improve overall system throughput.

The Policy Analyzer also flags overly permissive rules that may expose the network to unnecessary risk. For instance, a rule allowing any source to access a sensitive internal subnet might be flagged for review. The tool suggests more specific and restrictive alternatives that align with security best practices and the principle of least privilege.

Another benefit of the Secure Firewall Policy Analyzer is its ability to simulate policy behavior before changes are applied. Administrators can evaluate how proposed modifications would affect traffic flows, helping to avoid accidental disruptions or misconfigurations. Detailed reports and visual summaries provide a clear understanding of the firewall’s current policy landscape, including dependencies, redundancies, and potential optimizations.

It is important to distinguish the Policy Analyzer from other Cisco security tools. Cisco Stealthwatch focuses on network visibility and behavioral analytics, helping identify threats through anomaly detection. Cisco Umbrella provides cloud-delivered DNS and web security to block malicious connections before they occur. Cisco SecureX serves as a unifying platform that integrates multiple Cisco and third-party security products for centralized visibility and orchestration. However, none of these tools perform the direct rule analysis and optimization functions of the Policy Analyzer.

Through continuous analysis, reporting, and recommendations, the Cisco Secure Firewall Policy Analyzer ensures that access control lists remain efficient, consistent, and compliant with best practices. This not only reduces configuration errors and administrative overhead but also enhances firewall performance and strengthens the organization’s overall security posture.

Question 100: 

Which Cisco framework emphasizes continuous verification of users, devices, and applications regardless of their network location? 

A. Zero Trust Security Model
B. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
C. Defense in Depth
D. Network Admission Control 

Answer: A. Zero Trust Security Model

Explanation:

The Cisco Zero Trust Security Model is a comprehensive framework that redefines traditional approaches to network security by eliminating implicit trust and enforcing continuous verification of every user, device, and application. The guiding principle of Zero Trust is simple yet powerful: never trust, always verify. Unlike legacy perimeter-based security models that assume trust for internal users once inside the network, Zero Trust treats every access request as potentially untrusted, regardless of location or prior authentication.

The Zero Trust approach is built on three core pillars: workforce, workload, and workplace. The workforce pillar focuses on verifying the identities and security posture of users and devices that access corporate resources. This includes implementing strong authentication, endpoint health checks, and adaptive access controls. Cisco’s Duo solution plays a key role in this pillar by enabling multifactor authentication and device trust validation before granting access.

The workload pillar concentrates on securing applications and data within the cloud or data center. Cisco Secure Workload (formerly Tetration) provides visibility into application dependencies and implements microsegmentation policies to prevent lateral movement between workloads. This ensures that only authorized communications occur between applications, even when operating across hybrid or multicloud environments.

The workplace pillar encompasses the network layer itself, ensuring that all devices connecting to the network are authenticated, authorized, and continuously monitored. Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) enforces context-aware access control, while Cisco TrustSec provides identity-based segmentation using Security Group Tags. Together, they ensure that access decisions are dynamic and based on identity, posture, and context.

While Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) combines networking and security functions into a unified cloud-delivered model, it is complementary to Zero Trust rather than synonymous with it. SASE focuses on providing secure access to cloud resources, while Zero Trust provides the identity-driven verification that underpins secure access decisions. Defense in Depth refers to using multiple layers of security controls, and Network Admission Control focuses on endpoint validation at connection time. However, neither provides the continuous verification and adaptive enforcement found in a true Zero Trust architecture.

Cisco’s Zero Trust model integrates technologies such as SecureX, Umbrella, and Stealthwatch to deliver continuous monitoring, adaptive authentication, and dynamic policy enforcement. SecureX acts as the integration layer that unifies security telemetry and automates incident response, Umbrella protects against internet-based threats, and Stealthwatch delivers network visibility and anomaly detection. Together, these components enable organizations to implement Zero Trust at scale across hybrid and remote environments.

By continuously verifying users, devices, and applications, the Cisco Zero Trust Security Model minimizes attack surfaces, prevents unauthorized access, and reduces the risk of lateral movement. It aligns security with modern business needs, supporting cloud adoption, remote work, and regulatory compliance. Ultimately, Zero Trust represents a shift from static, perimeter-based defenses to a dynamic, adaptive model that delivers stronger and more resilient protection for the modern enterprise.