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Question 61:
Which Cisco security technology enables dynamic, identity-based network access policies, including device posture evaluation and contextual access control?
A Cisco Umbrella
B Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine)
C Cisco Secure Endpoint
D Cisco Firepower
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is the cornerstone of identity-based access control in enterprise networks. It provides authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services while enforcing policies based on user identity, device type, location, and security posture. One of ISE’s key features is posture assessment, which evaluates endpoints against compliance requirements such as antivirus presence, OS patch levels, and firewall status before granting network access.
Option A, Cisco Umbrella, offers DNS-layer protection but does not control network access. C, Cisco Secure Endpoint, protects devices from malware but does not enforce network admission policies. D, Cisco Firepower, provides firewall and intrusion detection/prevention capabilities but does not directly manage user-based network access.
ISE integrates with AnyConnect for VPN connections, enabling organizations to apply dynamic policies that grant, restrict, or quarantine devices depending on their posture and identity. For example, a compliant corporate laptop can gain full access to internal resources, while a non-compliant or unmanaged device may be placed into a restricted VLAN or redirected to a remediation portal. ISE supports Change of Authorization (CoA) messages via RADIUS, which allows it to dynamically modify session permissions after a device achieves compliance.
Additionally, ISE supports contextual access policies by leveraging endpoint profiling, location, and threat intelligence feeds from Cisco Talos and AMP. This allows enterprises to implement Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles, ensuring continuous verification and minimizing the risk of lateral movement.
In the context of the 350-701 SCOR exam, candidates are expected to understand how ISE enforces identity-based and posture-aware access control, integrates with endpoints and VPN clients, and supports dynamic authorization through CoA and RADIUS. Therefore, B is correct because Cisco ISE provides centralized, contextual, and identity-driven network access enforcement with integrated posture evaluation, forming a critical component of modern enterprise security architecture.
Question 62:
Which feature of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables inspection and prevention of malicious traffic at Layer 7, including application and protocol awareness?
A Access Control Policy (ACP)
B Security Intelligence Feeds
C NetFlow Export
D RADIUS Authentication
Answer: A
Explanation:
The Access Control Policy (ACP) in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) serves as the central mechanism for defining inspection rules and controlling how traffic is permitted, blocked, or inspected across the network. ACP supports Layer 7 application awareness, which allows granular control over specific applications, protocols, or behaviors within traffic flows. Policies can incorporate intrusion prevention system (IPS) rules, file and malware inspection, URL filtering, and security intelligence feeds to enforce security at both the network and application layers.
Option B, Security Intelligence Feeds, provide dynamic blacklists and reputation-based blocking but do not constitute the full inspection mechanism. C, NetFlow Export, is a monitoring tool for telemetry and traffic statistics, not policy enforcement. D, RADIUS Authentication, is related to network access and identity verification, not traffic inspection.
ACP rules are built using multiple criteria, including source/destination IP addresses, port numbers, users or groups (via ISE integration), applications, and file attributes. When a flow matches an ACP rule, Firepower applies the associated inspection policies, which can include intrusion detection/prevention or malware analysis. For example, if a rule targets web traffic, Firepower can inspect HTTP or HTTPS requests for malicious content or abnormal behavior.
ACP also supports application visibility and control (AVC), enabling organizations to enforce policies for specific applications or categories, like restricting social media during work hours. Logging and reporting within ACP allow security teams to monitor enforcement and tune policies based on observed traffic patterns.
In exam terms, ACP is fundamental because it embodies Cisco’s next-generation firewall (NGFW) philosophy — integrating traditional firewall capabilities with advanced inspection, IPS, and application control at Layer 7. ACP ensures a defense-in-depth posture by combining access control with deep inspection, behavioral awareness, and integration with external threat intelligence. Therefore, A is correct because Access Control Policy is the primary feature enabling Layer 7 inspection and prevention of malicious traffic in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense.
Question 63:
Which Cisco solution provides cloud-delivered protection by blocking malicious domains, URLs, and IPs before connections are established?
A Cisco AnyConnect
B Cisco Umbrella
C Cisco ISE
D Cisco Firepower
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-based security platform that delivers DNS-layer protection to prevent users and devices from accessing malicious domains, URLs, or IP addresses. It acts as the first line of defense, blocking threats before a connection is even established, which is essential for proactive security and reducing exposure to malware, phishing, and command-and-control (C2) traffic.
Option A, AnyConnect, provides VPN access and posture assessment but does not deliver proactive DNS-layer protection. C, ISE, manages identity and access policies but does not block domains or IP addresses. D, Firepower, provides deep packet inspection and next-generation firewall capabilities but primarily operates on the network traffic after connections are initiated.
Umbrella’s global recursive DNS infrastructure ensures high availability and low latency, while policy enforcement allows organizations to restrict categories of websites or prevent access to high-risk destinations. Umbrella integrates with endpoints via the AnyConnect roaming client or DNS forwarding, extending protection beyond the corporate network to remote users or cloud deployments.
The platform also includes Secure Web Gateway (SWG) and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) capabilities, offering additional controls for cloud applications, SSL inspection, and data loss prevention. Umbrella leverages threat intelligence from Cisco Talos to maintain updated domain and IP reputation data.
From an exam perspective, candidates need to understand that Umbrella is Cisco’s cloud-delivered Secure Internet Gateway (SIG), providing proactive threat blocking at the DNS and IP layer. This approach is a key component of Cisco’s SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) strategy, protecting users across all locations. Therefore, B is correct because Cisco Umbrella blocks malicious domains, URLs, and IP addresses before connections are established, reducing risk and enhancing network security.
Question 64:
Which Cisco security technology is responsible for malware detection and retrospective alerting on endpoints using behavioral telemetry?
A Cisco ISE
B Cisco AMP for Endpoints
C Cisco Umbrella
D Cisco Stealthwatch
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Endpoints, now known as Cisco Secure Endpoint, provides comprehensive endpoint security, including malware detection, threat prevention, and retrospective alerting. AMP monitors file activity and system behavior continuously, creating a timeline of events that can be analyzed to detect malicious behavior even after the initial file execution. This allows the system to alert administrators retrospectively if a previously benign file is later classified as malicious.
Option A, ISE, controls network access and device compliance but does not detect malware. C, Umbrella, protects DNS-layer activity and cloud traffic but not local endpoint behavior. D, Stealthwatch, monitors network behavior but cannot detect endpoint malware or provide retrospective alerts on file executions.
AMP leverages cloud intelligence from Cisco Talos and integrates with Threat Grid for dynamic sandboxing. Behavioral telemetry includes process creation, file modification, and network connections, which are used to detect indicators of compromise. Alerts generated by AMP can trigger automated responses like quarantine, endpoint isolation, or remediation scripts.
Retrospective alerting is particularly critical for detecting zero-day malware or ransomware that evades initial detection. By continuously correlating telemetry against updated intelligence, organizations can reduce dwell time and respond more effectively to advanced threats.
From a 350-701 SCOR exam perspective, understanding AMP for Endpoints is vital because it demonstrates Cisco’s layered security approach — combining prevention, detection, and response at the endpoint layer. Therefore, B is correct as Cisco AMP for Endpoints ensures malware detection and retrospective alerting using behavioral telemetry to enhance endpoint protection.
Question 65:
Which feature in Cisco Firepower allows traffic to be redirected to external devices such as IDS, IPS, or DLP appliances for further inspection?
A Inline Set / Service Chaining
B Access Control Policy
C Security Intelligence Blacklist
D NetFlow Export
Answer: A
Explanation:
Inline Sets and Service Chaining capabilities within Cisco Firepower Threat Defense architecture empower network administrators to strategically redirect or mirror specific traffic flows to external security appliances including intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention platforms, data loss prevention solutions, and specialized inspection tools for comprehensive analysis while maintaining centralized policy enforcement and primary firewall functionality. This architectural approach preserves granular policy-based traffic control at the Firepower layer while simultaneously enabling seamless integration with best-of-breed third-party security technologies or specialized compliance tools that address specific organizational requirements beyond native firewall capabilities. Access Control Policies serve as the foundational framework for defining traffic handling rules, application permissions, URL filtering decisions, and intrusion prevention settings within Firepower deployments, yet these policies fundamentally govern permit or deny decisions rather than implementing traffic redirection or forwarding to external inspection systems. Security Intelligence blacklists and reputation-based filtering provide valuable threat prevention by automatically blocking connections to known malicious IP addresses, domains, and URLs identified through Cisco Talos threat intelligence feeds, but this blocking functionality operates independently from traffic forwarding or inspection delegation capabilities. NetFlow export functionality generates valuable network telemetry by collecting and transmitting flow records containing source and destination information, protocol details, packet counts, and byte volumes to external collectors for analysis, visualization, and capacity planning, yet NetFlow operates as a passive monitoring mechanism rather than an active traffic steering or forwarding technology.
Service chaining operates through intelligent traffic classification and policy-based forwarding decisions that associate specific network flows with designated external inspection paths based on application type, user identity, source or destination addressing, or other contextual attributes. Organizations can implement sophisticated security architectures where email traffic undergoes mandatory data loss prevention inspection to enforce content policies and prevent sensitive information leakage, financial transactions receive specialized fraud detection analysis, or encrypted traffic gets redirected to dedicated SSL inspection appliances that handle computationally intensive decryption operations. Inline Sets maintain the original traffic flow’s Layer 2 forwarding characteristics and connection state while transparently inserting external security devices into the packet path, ensuring that inspection occurs without disrupting application functionality, breaking TCP sessions, or introducing unacceptable latency that degrades user experience. This transparent insertion capability allows organizations to deploy multiple security layers including malware sandboxing, advanced threat analytics, behavioral analysis engines, or regulatory compliance tools without requiring network topology changes, application reconfiguration, or end-user awareness. From the 350-701 SCOR certification examination perspective, comprehending how inline sets and service chaining architectures integrate within comprehensive Firepower security policies proves essential for designing robust, scalable, and flexible network security architectures that address complex organizational requirements. These capabilities enable hybrid security deployment models that strategically combine Cisco’s next-generation firewall functionality including application visibility, intrusion prevention, URL filtering, and malware detection with complementary third-party analysis platforms, specialized compliance solutions, or legacy security investments that continue delivering value. Therefore, inline sets and service chaining represent critical architectural components facilitating sophisticated policy-based traffic redirection to external inspection devices while maintaining centralized security orchestration and unified policy management.
Question 66:
Which Cisco technology provides malware sandboxing and dynamic file analysis to detect unknown threats in the network?
A Cisco ISE
B Cisco Secure Malware Analytics (Threat Grid)
C Cisco Umbrella
D Cisco AMP for Endpoints
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco Secure Malware Analytics (formerly Threat Grid) is a cloud-based solution designed to provide dynamic malware analysis through sandboxing. When a suspicious file is detected by Cisco Firepower, AMP for Endpoints, or another integrated security device, it can be submitted to Threat Grid for execution in a controlled virtual environment. The sandbox observes the file’s behavior, monitoring system changes, network connections, registry modifications, and other indicators of compromise. This analysis allows organizations to detect unknown or zero-day malware that traditional signature-based defenses might miss.
Option A, Cisco ISE, focuses on identity and network access control, not malware analysis. C, Cisco Umbrella, provides DNS-layer security and web filtering but does not execute or analyze files. D, AMP for Endpoints, detects malware locally and uses Threat Grid for advanced analysis but does not itself perform full sandbox detonation of unknown files.
Threat Grid outputs a detailed behavioral report, including indicators mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, enabling security teams to understand attack vectors and take remediation steps. Integration with SecureX or Firepower Management Center allows automated workflows, such as blocking associated IPs or quarantining affected endpoints. Retrospective security features ensure that if a previously unknown file is later identified as malicious, alerts and actions are applied automatically to impacted systems.
From a 350-701 SCOR perspective, candidates must understand Threat Grid’s role within Cisco’s layered defense approach. It complements AMP for Endpoints, Firepower, and Umbrella, providing deep advanced threat detection for unknown files while enabling automated threat intelligence sharing across the Cisco ecosystem. Therefore, B is correct because Secure Malware Analytics (Threat Grid) provides sandboxing and dynamic analysis for malware detection across the network.
Question 67:
Which Cisco technology allows continuous monitoring of network traffic for abnormal behaviors, including encrypted sessions, using metadata analysis?
A Cisco AMP for Endpoints
B Cisco ETA (Encrypted Traffic Analytics)
C Cisco Firepower Access Control Policy
D Cisco Umbrella
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) is designed to detect threats in encrypted traffic without performing decryption. Given that the majority of network traffic today is SSL/TLS encrypted, traditional inspection tools struggle to analyze content. ETA leverages metadata analysis, such as TLS handshake characteristics, packet lengths, sequence timing, and flow behaviors, to infer malicious activity. By extracting these features, ETA can identify malware communications, ransomware, and command-and-control (C2) channels, even within encrypted sessions.
Option A, AMP for Endpoints, focuses on endpoint malware detection, not network traffic analysis. C, Firepower ACP, enforces policy rules but does not specifically analyze encrypted traffic metadata. D, Umbrella, blocks malicious domains but cannot detect behavioral anomalies in encrypted flows.
ETA integrates with Cisco Stealthwatch, which consumes enhanced flow telemetry to model baseline network behaviors and identify deviations. Machine learning algorithms are applied to detect threats while minimizing false positives. Importantly, ETA preserves privacy and performance since the content of encrypted sessions is never decrypted.
From an exam perspective, understanding ETA is critical because it represents Cisco’s approach to maintaining visibility in encrypted environments — a cornerstone of modern network security. It allows enterprises to detect threats that bypass conventional signature-based tools while adhering to privacy compliance frameworks such as GDPR.
Therefore, B is correct because Cisco ETA continuously monitors encrypted traffic using metadata and behavioral analysis without decrypting content, providing actionable threat detection for stealthy malware and advanced attacks.
Question 68:
Which Cisco component enforces endpoint compliance before granting network access and can dynamically quarantine non-compliant devices?
A Cisco Umbrella
B Cisco Firepower
C Cisco ISE
D Cisco AMP for Endpoints
Answer: C
Explanation:
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is the key solution for enforcing network access control (NAC) based on endpoint compliance and posture assessment. Before allowing a device onto the network, ISE evaluates its security posture, including antivirus presence, firewall status, patch levels, and other compliance criteria. Non-compliant devices can be automatically quarantined, redirected to remediation portals, or placed in restricted VLANs until they meet organizational security requirements.
Option A, Umbrella, provides DNS-layer threat protection, not compliance enforcement. B, Firepower, applies traffic-based inspection and threat mitigation but does not handle dynamic endpoint access policies. D, AMP for Endpoints, protects devices from malware but does not control their network access status.
ISE uses RADIUS and CoA (Change of Authorization) messages to dynamically apply or modify access rules in real time. Integration with AnyConnect enables posture assessment for VPN clients, while wired and wireless devices are evaluated using 802.1X authentication. Contextual information from ISE — such as device type, location, and user identity — allows granular policy enforcement consistent with Zero Trust principles.
From a 350-701 SCOR perspective, understanding how ISE combines posture, identity, and dynamic policy enforcement is critical. This capability reduces attack surfaces by preventing untrusted or vulnerable devices from accessing sensitive network resources. By quarantining non-compliant devices, ISE ensures that only secure endpoints interact with critical systems.
Therefore, C is correct because Cisco ISE enforces endpoint compliance before granting network access and can dynamically quarantine non-compliant devices, forming a critical layer in modern enterprise security.
Question 69:
Which Cisco security solution provides retrospective malware detection and continuous monitoring of file behavior at endpoints?
A Cisco Stealthwatch
B Cisco AMP for Endpoints
C Cisco Umbrella
D Cisco ISE
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco AMP for Endpoints is designed to provide advanced malware protection through continuous monitoring, behavioral analysis, and retrospective alerting. It tracks files across the endpoint, analyzing their behavior over time. If a previously benign file later receives a malicious classification from threat intelligence feeds (e.g., Cisco Talos), AMP triggers retrospective alerts, notifying administrators and automatically remediating affected systems.
Option A, Stealthwatch, monitors network behavior but cannot inspect local file activity. C, Umbrella, provides DNS-layer protection but not file-level detection. D, ISE, controls network access but does not perform endpoint malware analysis.
AMP for Endpoints integrates with Threat Grid for dynamic sandboxing, allowing unknown or suspicious files to be executed in a secure virtual environment to analyze behaviors. The solution maintains a timeline of file events, including process creation, registry changes, and network communications, providing visibility and correlation for forensic analysis. Integration with SecureX allows automated responses such as endpoint isolation, removal of malicious files, or policy updates.
For the 350-701 SCOR exam, understanding retrospective detection is vital because it represents Cisco’s layered security strategy: detecting threats not just at the moment of execution, but continuously reassessing previously executed files as threat intelligence evolves.
Therefore, B is correct because Cisco AMP for Endpoints provides continuous monitoring and retrospective malware detection, enabling rapid response to emerging threats.
Question 70:
Which Cisco technology enforces Zero Trust principles by combining identity, device posture, and contextual network access?
A Cisco ISE
B Cisco Firepower
C Cisco Umbrella
D Cisco AMP for Endpoints
Answer: A
Explanation:
Cisco ISE enforces Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) by ensuring that network access decisions are based on verified identity, device posture, and contextual information such as location, time, or device type. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security, Zero Trust assumes that threats may exist inside and outside the network; ISE dynamically evaluates each session and applies granular policies accordingly.
Option B, Firepower, provides traffic-based enforcement and deep inspection but does not evaluate identity and posture holistically. C, Umbrella, protects web and DNS traffic but does not enforce device compliance or user identity policies. D, AMP for Endpoints, secures endpoints but does not manage network access directly.
ISE’s posture assessment modules evaluate endpoint compliance before granting network access, while RADIUS CoA messages allow dynamic policy adjustments as device status changes. Integration with AnyConnect, wired and wireless networks, and endpoint telemetry ensures a unified Zero Trust framework. Logging and reporting provide visibility for audits, incident response, and security operations.
For the SCOR exam, candidates must understand ISE’s role in Zero Trust architecture — controlling who or what can access resources dynamically and continuously. By combining identity, device posture, and contextual policies, ISE reduces attack surfaces, enforces compliance, and mitigates insider and external threats.
Therefore, A is correct because Cisco ISE operationalizes Zero Trust by enforcing identity-based, posture-aware, and context-driven network access policies.
Question 71:
Which Cisco technology provides DNS-layer security, blocking malicious domains and phishing attempts before a connection is established?
A Cisco AMP for Endpoints
B Cisco Umbrella
C Cisco Firepower
D Cisco ISE
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-delivered security platform that provides DNS-layer protection to prevent users from connecting to malicious domains, URLs, and IP addresses. It operates at the earliest stage of the connection process, blocking threats before they reach the network or endpoint. This proactive defense prevents malware, ransomware, and command-and-control (C2) traffic from establishing communication channels.
Option A, AMP for Endpoints, protects devices from malware but does not intercept DNS requests. C, Firepower, is a next-generation firewall that inspects traffic at Layer 3–7 but does not provide proactive DNS blocking for off-network users. D, ISE, enforces identity-based access control but is not involved in domain filtering.
Umbrella uses global recursive DNS infrastructure, ensuring high availability and low latency. Policies can restrict specific domains, categories, or IP addresses, and integrations with AnyConnect allow off-network devices to benefit from the same protection. Umbrella also includes Secure Web Gateway (SWG) and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) features for deeper inspection of web traffic and cloud applications. Threat intelligence is continuously updated by Cisco Talos, providing accurate and timely threat mitigation.
From an exam perspective, understanding Umbrella is vital because it exemplifies Cisco’s cloud-first approach to threat prevention. It aligns with SASE architecture principles by providing security wherever users or devices connect, without relying solely on on-premises infrastructure. By blocking malicious domains at the DNS layer, Umbrella reduces exposure to phishing, malware, and zero-day attacks.
Therefore, B is correct because Cisco Umbrella delivers DNS-layer security that prevents users from connecting to malicious destinations before any connection occurs, forming a key part of proactive threat defense.
Question 72:
Which Cisco technology uses behavioral telemetry from encrypted traffic to detect malware without decryption?
A Cisco ETA (Encrypted Traffic Analytics)
B Cisco AMP for Endpoints
C Cisco ISE
D Cisco Umbrella
Answer: A
Explanation:
Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics addresses one of the most significant security challenges confronting modern enterprises: the exponential growth of encrypted SSL/TLS network traffic that simultaneously protects data confidentiality while creating substantial visibility gaps for traditional security monitoring and threat detection systems. ETA employs sophisticated metadata analysis techniques that observe and evaluate observable traffic characteristics including packet size distributions, inter-packet timing sequences, TLS handshake fingerprints, cipher suite negotiations, certificate authority chains, initial data packet lengths, and comprehensive flow behavioral patterns to identify suspicious activities indicative of ransomware communications, command-and-control traffic, data exfiltration attempts, or malware propagation without requiring decryption of the actual encrypted payload contents. This innovative approach delivers actionable threat intelligence while respecting privacy requirements, regulatory compliance obligations, and performance considerations that make full-scale decryption impractical or prohibited in many enterprise environments. Advanced Malware Protection for Endpoints concentrates on host-based threat detection by monitoring file execution behavior, memory operations, registry modifications, process injection attempts, and system-level activities occurring directly on endpoint devices rather than analyzing network flow characteristics or traffic patterns traversing infrastructure. Identity Services Engine enforces sophisticated network access control policies based on user authentication, device posture assessment, compliance verification, endpoint profiling, and contextual authorization decisions, but ISE’s primary function centers on access enforcement rather than encrypted traffic behavioral analysis or threat detection within established network sessions. Cisco Umbrella delivers cloud-delivered security services that intercept DNS queries to block access to malicious domains, phishing sites, malware distribution servers, and command-and-control infrastructure before connections establish, yet Umbrella operates primarily at the DNS resolution layer without performing real-time behavioral analysis of encrypted traffic flows after connections have been established.
Encrypted Traffic Analytics integrates seamlessly with Cisco Stealthwatch network detection and response platform, which consumes enriched NetFlow telemetry containing detailed flow metadata to establish comprehensive baseline behavioral models representing normal network activity patterns across users, applications, protocols, and communication relationships. Machine learning algorithms continuously analyze this telemetry to detect statistical anomalies, behavioral deviations, unusual communication patterns, or suspicious activities that suggest compromise, policy violations, or malicious intent even when traffic remains encrypted throughout its lifecycle. By focusing analysis on observable metadata characteristics rather than inspecting payload contents, ETA successfully balances security effectiveness with privacy preservation, avoiding the legal complications, regulatory risks, performance penalties, and ethical concerns associated with large-scale traffic decryption while still providing security teams with critical visibility into potential threats. The system additionally supports retrospective security analysis where newly discovered threat intelligence, updated indicators of compromise, or emerging attack pattern signatures trigger re-evaluation of historical traffic metadata to identify previously undetected malicious communications, enabling organizations to understand breach timelines, assess compromise scope, and initiate appropriate remediation activities even for threats that initially evaded detection.
Within the 350-701 SCOR examination context, candidates must demonstrate comprehensive understanding that Encrypted Traffic Analytics complements rather than replaces traditional next-generation firewall capabilities, endpoint security solutions, and signature-based detection mechanisms by addressing the specific challenge of encrypted traffic visibility within Zero Trust security architectures. ETA proves particularly effective at detecting sophisticated, stealthy malware families that deliberately evade signature-based defenses through polymorphism, encryption, or living-off-the-land techniques while still exhibiting detectable behavioral patterns in their network communications. By combining flow-level analysis with advanced behavioral modeling and machine learning-driven anomaly detection, Encrypted Traffic Analytics enables enterprises to maintain robust security postures and comprehensive threat visibility without accepting the performance degradation, privacy compromise, computational overhead, or regulatory compliance risks inherent in widespread SSL/TLS decryption deployments. Therefore, Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics utilizes behavioral analysis of encrypted traffic metadata to detect malware, command-and-control communications, and policy violations without decrypting network sessions, delivering essential visibility into hidden threats traversing enterprise networks while preserving encryption’s privacy and confidentiality benefits.
Question 73:
Which Cisco solution provides advanced endpoint threat detection, prevention, and retrospective alerting?
A Cisco ISE
B Cisco AMP for Endpoints
C Cisco Umbrella
D Cisco Firepower
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco AMP for Endpoints delivers next-generation antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and retrospective alerting capabilities. AMP continuously monitors files, processes, and system activity to detect malware and other threats. Retrospective alerting ensures that if a previously benign file is later classified as malicious, alerts and remediation actions are automatically applied.
Option A, ISE, manages access control and posture assessment but does not protect against malware. C, Umbrella, provides DNS-layer security but does not perform endpoint monitoring or remediation. D, Firepower, inspects traffic and blocks threats at the network level but does not perform file-based behavioral analysis on endpoints.
AMP integrates with Threat Grid for dynamic sandboxing of unknown files, allowing malware behavior to be analyzed in a safe virtual environment. Continuous telemetry includes process execution, file changes, network connections, and registry modifications, providing a complete picture of endpoint activity. Alerts can trigger automated responses such as isolation, file removal, or policy updates.
From a 350-701 SCOR perspective, AMP for Endpoints is crucial because it exemplifies endpoint-focused defense, enabling enterprises to detect, respond to, and remediate threats continuously. Retrospective security minimizes dwell time and mitigates risks from emerging threats or zero-day malware.
Therefore, B is correct because Cisco AMP for Endpoints provides continuous monitoring, advanced threat detection, and retrospective alerting for comprehensive endpoint protection.
Question 74:
Which Cisco component enforces dynamic network access policies based on identity, device type, and compliance posture?
A Cisco Firepower
B Cisco ISE
C Cisco Umbrella
D Cisco AnyConnect
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) enforces dynamic network access control policies using endpoint identity, device type, location, and posture compliance. ISE integrates with 802.1X wired/wireless authentication, VPN clients like AnyConnect, and switches to ensure that only authorized and compliant devices can access network resources.
Option A, Firepower, inspects traffic but does not control network access based on identity or posture. C, Umbrella, provides DNS-layer and cloud security, not access enforcement. D, AnyConnect, provides VPN connectivity but relies on ISE to evaluate device compliance and enforce policies.
ISE performs posture assessment, checking antivirus, firewall, OS patches, and other indicators. Non-compliant devices can be quarantined, restricted, or redirected for remediation. CoA (Change of Authorization) messages enable dynamic policy updates in real time as device compliance changes.
ISE also integrates with AMP for Endpoints, Firepower, and Umbrella to provide context-aware security enforcement, supporting Zero Trust principles. Logging and reporting ensure visibility for audits and incident response.
Therefore, B is correct because Cisco ISE enforces dynamic, identity-based, posture-aware network access, ensuring secure connectivity and compliance across enterprise environments.
Question 75:
Which Cisco technology enables organizations to perform behavioral network analysis and detect anomalies including insider threats and lateral movement?
A Cisco Stealthwatch
B Cisco Umbrella
C Cisco AMP for Endpoints
D Cisco Firepower
Answer: A
Explanation:
Cisco Stealthwatch (Secure Network Analytics) enables behavioral network analysis using flow telemetry, IPFIX, and NetFlow. By establishing baselines for normal network behavior, it can detect anomalies such as unusual connections, insider threats, lateral movement, and data exfiltration. Stealthwatch correlates network activity with user identity, device type, and location to provide actionable insights.
Option B, Umbrella, focuses on DNS-layer security but does not perform network-wide behavioral analysis. C, AMP for Endpoints, monitors endpoints for malware, not network traffic behavior. D, Firepower, performs deep packet inspection but lacks the advanced behavioral analytics provided by Stealthwatch.
Stealthwatch also integrates with Cisco ISE to enrich flow data with identity and posture information, enabling precise detection and response. Machine learning algorithms detect deviations from normal traffic patterns and trigger alerts for investigation. Retrospective analytics can identify threats missed by traditional security tools.
From a 350-701 SCOR exam perspective, Stealthwatch exemplifies Cisco’s approach to Zero Trust monitoring, providing comprehensive visibility across enterprise networks. It allows security teams to identify and respond to stealthy attacks that evade perimeter defenses.
Therefore, A is correct because Cisco Stealthwatch provides behavioral network analysis and anomaly detection for identifying threats and suspicious activity across the network.
Question 76:
Which Cisco solution integrates cloud-based threat intelligence to block malicious domains, IPs, and URLs across all devices and locations?
A Cisco ISE
B Cisco Umbrella
C Cisco AMP for Endpoints
D Cisco Firepower
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco Umbrella integrates cloud-delivered threat intelligence to proactively block connections to malicious domains, IP addresses, and URLs across all users, devices, and locations. By analyzing global DNS requests and continuously updating threat intelligence from Cisco Talos, Umbrella ensures that threats are blocked before connections are established, providing early-stage protection against phishing, malware, and command-and-control traffic.
Option A, ISE, enforces identity and posture-based network access policies but does not inspect domain or IP activity. C, AMP for Endpoints, protects individual devices and provides retrospective malware detection but cannot provide network-wide DNS threat intelligence enforcement. D, Firepower, inspects network traffic at Layers 3–7 but lacks cloud-based domain threat coverage.
Umbrella’s policies extend protection to remote users and roaming devices using AnyConnect or DNS forwarding, ensuring security outside the corporate perimeter. It also includes Secure Web Gateway (SWG) and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) features for additional control over web traffic and cloud applications. Threat intelligence is continuously correlated with real-time behavioral data to reduce false positives while maintaining fast detection and enforcement.
From an exam perspective, candidates should understand Umbrella as Cisco’s cloud-first security platform, providing proactive protection at the earliest point of contact, consistent with SASE architecture principles. This early-stage enforcement reduces exposure and complements endpoint and network security solutions.
Therefore, B is correct because Cisco Umbrella leverages cloud threat intelligence to block malicious domains, IPs, and URLs across all devices and locations, forming a foundational layer of proactive network security.
Question 77:
Which Cisco technology provides real-time telemetry and behavioral modeling to detect advanced threats in enterprise networks?
A Cisco Stealthwatch
B Cisco Firepower
C Cisco AMP for Endpoints
D Cisco Umbrella
Answer: A
Explanation:
Cisco Stealthwatch provides real-time telemetry collection and behavioral modeling to detect advanced threats such as insider attacks, lateral movement, and data exfiltration. It analyzes flow data (NetFlow, IPFIX) from routers, switches, and firewalls, establishing baselines for normal behavior. Deviations from these baselines trigger alerts, allowing security teams to investigate suspicious activity proactively.
Option B, Firepower, provides next-generation firewall functions and IPS but lacks advanced behavioral modeling across the entire network. C, AMP for Endpoints, monitors endpoints but does not provide network-wide behavioral analytics. D, Umbrella, blocks malicious domains but does not model user or device behavior at the network level.
Stealthwatch enhances visibility by correlating telemetry with identity and device context from Cisco ISE. Machine learning algorithms detect anomalous patterns in encrypted and unencrypted traffic without requiring decryption. The solution also supports retrospective alerting, identifying previously unnoticed threats once new intelligence is available.
For the 350-701 SCOR exam, candidates should know that Stealthwatch is critical for Zero Trust monitoring because it provides continuous behavioral analytics and insight into threats that bypass traditional signature-based defenses. This helps organizations respond quickly and mitigate risks proactively.
Therefore, A is correct because Cisco Stealthwatch uses real-time telemetry and behavioral modeling to detect advanced threats throughout enterprise networks.
Question 78:
Which Cisco technology allows dynamic traffic inspection and application control at Layer 7 for network security?
A Cisco Firepower Access Control Policy (ACP)
B Cisco Umbrella
C Cisco AMP for Endpoints
D Cisco ISE
Answer: A
Explanation:
The Access Control Policy (ACP) in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables Layer 7 traffic inspection and application control, enforcing security policies based on applications, protocols, users, and content. ACP integrates intrusion prevention, malware inspection, URL filtering, and security intelligence feeds to ensure comprehensive traffic enforcement.
Option B, Umbrella, provides DNS-layer and web filtering but does not inspect full Layer 7 traffic flows. C, AMP for Endpoints, monitors local file and process behavior but does not control network traffic. D, ISE, manages identity and network access but does not perform application-level traffic inspection.
ACP rules specify conditions such as source/destination IPs, ports, applications, and users. Policies can include intrusion detection, malware scanning, or URL filtering. Logging and reporting allow security teams to track enforcement and adjust rules based on observed traffic behavior. Integration with Cisco Talos ensures dynamic threat intelligence updates are applied automatically.
For SCOR exam candidates, ACP is essential because it exemplifies next-generation firewall functionality, enabling fine-grained control over application and protocol behavior at Layer 7. This ensures that traffic is not only permitted or blocked based on IP/port but also analyzed for content and application-level anomalies.
Therefore, A is correct because Cisco Firepower ACP provides dynamic Layer 7 inspection and application control, forming a critical component of Cisco’s NGFW security framework.
Question 79:
Which Cisco technology dynamically enforces endpoint compliance and posture assessment before granting network access?
A Cisco AMP for Endpoints
B Cisco ISE
C Cisco Umbrella
D Cisco Stealthwatch
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco ISE enforces dynamic access control by performing posture assessment of endpoints before they connect to the network. It evaluates compliance criteria such as antivirus status, firewall configuration, OS patching, and device type. Non-compliant devices can be quarantined or redirected to remediation portals until they meet policy requirements.
Option A, AMP for Endpoints, protects devices from malware but does not control access to the network. C, Umbrella, blocks malicious DNS and web traffic but does not perform posture checks. D, Stealthwatch, monitors network behavior but does not evaluate endpoint compliance for network access.
ISE uses RADIUS and CoA (Change of Authorization) messages to enforce policies dynamically in real time. Integration with VPNs (AnyConnect), wired/wireless 802.1X, and identity-based policies enables granular access control, consistent with Zero Trust principles. ISE logs and reports allow administrators to audit network access and compliance.
From a 350-701 SCOR perspective, understanding ISE’s posture assessment is crucial because it forms the foundation of identity-based access control, reducing attack surfaces and ensuring only secure devices access critical network resources.
Therefore, B is correct because Cisco ISE dynamically evaluates endpoint compliance and enforces network access policies based on posture and identity.
Question 80:
Which Cisco solution analyzes network flows, detects anomalies, and identifies insider threats using machine learning and behavior baselines?
A Cisco AMP for Endpoints
B Cisco Stealthwatch
C Cisco Umbrella
D Cisco Firepower
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cisco Stealthwatch is a network detection and response (NDR) solution that collects telemetry from network devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls. By creating behavioral baselines for hosts, users, and applications, it identifies anomalies like lateral movement, insider threats, and data exfiltration. Machine learning enhances detection by identifying subtle deviations from normal patterns that may indicate malicious activity.
Option A, AMP for Endpoints, detects malware on devices but does not monitor network flows. C, Umbrella, blocks malicious domains and IPs but does not analyze overall network behavior. D, Firepower, enforces firewall and IPS policies but lacks the advanced behavioral analytics and machine learning capabilities of Stealthwatch.
Stealthwatch integrates with ISE to correlate telemetry with identity and posture, providing enhanced visibility. It supports retrospective analysis to identify threats that may have been missed initially. These capabilities are critical in a Zero Trust environment, ensuring continuous monitoring and rapid detection of both external and internal threats.
For 350-701 SCOR candidates, understanding Stealthwatch’s role is essential because it exemplifies Cisco’s behavioral analytics approach, providing deep insight into network activity and early warning for advanced threats.
Therefore, B is correct because Cisco Stealthwatch analyzes network flows, detects anomalies, and identifies insider threats using behavioral baselines and machine learning.
