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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Cisco
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Skills this practice test covers
- Match hashing, PKI, IPsec and NAT-T to the job each one does in a VPN.
- Read a basic Python script that calls a Cisco security appliance API.
- Harden switches with DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, port security and storm control.
- Configure AAA with TACACS+ for device logins and RADIUS for network access.
- Configure Cisco Umbrella with identities, destination lists and URL content settings.
- Control access with 802.1X, MAB and WebAuth, and change a session later with CoA.
Explore related topics
350-701 exam content
6 domains · 31 topics · 158 of 448 questions are written for 350-701
Security Concepts25%35 questions
The largest domain sets the base for the rest of the exam: threats, vulnerabilities, cryptography and VPN types. It also covers security intelligence, SDN northbound and southbound APIs, Cisco DNA Center APIs and reading basic Python scripts.
Skills tested
- Compare threats against on-premises, hybrid and cloud environments, from rootkits to insecure APIs.
- Describe hashing, encryption, PKI, SSL, IPsec, preshared keys and certificate-based authorization.
- Compare site-to-site and remote access VPNs built with virtual tunnel interfaces, DMVPN, FlexVPN or Cisco Secure Client.
- Explain how security intelligence is authored, shared and consumed.
- Interpret a basic Python script that calls a Cisco security appliance API.
Questions by topic
- Interpret basic Python scripts used to call Cisco Security appliances APIs8
- Describe functions of the cryptography components such as hashing, encryption, PKI, SSL, IPsec, NAT-T IPv4 for IPsec, pre-shared key, and certificate-based authorization15
- Compare common security vulnerabilities such as software bugs, weak and/or hardcoded passwords, OWASP top ten, missing encryption ciphers, buffer overflow, path traversal, cross-site scripting/forgery6
- Explain North Bound and South Bound APIs in the SDN architecture3
- Compare site-to-site VPN and remote access VPN deployment types such as sVTI, IPsec, Cryptomap, DMVPN, FLEXVPN, including high availability considerations, and AnyConnect3
Network Security20%35 questions
This domain is about firewalls, intrusion prevention and the network devices around them. Candidates compare deployment models, harden infrastructure, configure AAA and secure management, and build and verify VPNs.
Skills tested
- Compare intrusion prevention and firewall solutions and their deployment models.
- Explain what NetFlow and Flexible NetFlow records collect for security visibility.
- Apply Layer 2 protections such as VLAN segmentation, PVLANs, DHCP snooping and dynamic ARP inspection.
- Secure device management with SNMPv3, NetConf, RestConf, secure syslog and NTP with authentication.
- Configure a site-to-site VPN on Cisco IOS routers and remote access with Cisco AnyConnect, then debug the tunnel.
Questions by topic
- Device hardening of network infrastructure security devices (control plane, data plane, and management plane)5
- Describe deployment models of network security solutions and architectures that provide intrusion prevention and firewall capabilities4
- Debug commands to view IPsec tunnel establishment and troubleshooting3
- Configure AAA for device and network access (authentication and authorization, TACACS+, RADIUS and RADIUS flows, accounting, and dACL)4
- Configure and verify site-to-site VPN and remote access VPN4
- Implement segmentation, access control policies, AVC, URL filtering, malware protection, and intrusion policies4
- Layer 2 methods (Network segmentation using VLANs and VRF-lite; Layer 2 and port security; DHCP snooping; Dynamic ARP inspection; storm control; PVLANs to segregate network traffic; and defenses again11
Securing the Cloud15%17 questions
Here the main question is who protects which layer of a cloud service. Candidates compare security duties across SaaS, PaaS and IaaS, describe DevSecOps, and secure applications, data and workloads in the cloud.
Skills tested
- Identify security solutions for public, private, hybrid and community clouds.
- Assign patch management and security assessment duties for each cloud service model.
- Describe DevSecOps through a CI/CD pipeline, container orchestration and secure software development.
- Configure cloud logging and monitoring for applications and workloads.
Questions by topic
- Describe application and workload security concepts4
- Describe the concept of DevSecOps (CI/CD pipeline, container orchestration, and secure software development)7
- Compare security responsibility for the different cloud service models4
- Identify security solutions for cloud environments2
Content Security15%21 questions
This domain protects web and email traffic. Candidates redirect traffic to a web proxy, compare on-premises, hybrid and cloud email and web solutions, and configure email security and Cisco Umbrella.
Skills tested
- Redirect and capture traffic for a web proxy, with transparent user identification.
- Compare Cisco Secure Email Gateway, Cisco Secure Email Cloud Gateway and Cisco Secure Web Appliance.
- Configure SPAM filtering, antimalware filtering, DLP, blocklisting and email encryption.
- Set up Cisco Umbrella web controls with identities, URL content settings, destination lists and reporting.
Questions by topic
- Configure and verify web security controls on Cisco Umbrella (identities, URL content settings, destination lists, and reporting)6
- Compare the components, capabilities, and benefits of local and cloud-based email and web solutions (ESA, CES, WSA)4
- Configure and verify secure internet gateway and web security features such as blacklisting, URL filtering, malware scanning, URL categorization, web application filtering, and TLS decryption3
- Configure and verify email security features such as SPAM filtering, antimalware filtering, DLP, blacklisting, and email encryption6
- Describe the components, capabilities, and benefits of Cisco Umbrella2
Endpoint Protection and Detection10%18 questions
The smallest domain looks at the device itself. Candidates compare EPP and EDR, configure Cisco Secure Endpoint with outbreak control, and explain MFA, posture assessment, MDM and patching.
Skills tested
- Compare Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) with Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) solutions.
- Configure antimalware protection, outbreak control and quarantines in Cisco Secure Endpoint.
- Explain why an MFA strategy, endpoint posture assessment and a patching strategy matter.
- Describe the value of MDM and asset inventory systems.
Questions by topic
- Explain antimalware, retrospective security, Indicator of Compromise (IOC), antivirus, dynamic file analysis, and endpoint-sourced telemetry5
- Describe the uses and importance of a multifactor authentication (MFA) strategy4
- Describe endpoint posture assessment solutions to ensure endpoint security4
- Describe justifications for endpoint-based security5
Secure Network Access, Visibility, and Enforcement15%32 questions
This domain decides who joins the network and what the network can see. Candidates configure 802.1X, MAB and WebAuth, explain CoA and exfiltration techniques, and describe Cisco's visibility and telemetry products.
Skills tested
- Describe guest services, profiling, posture assessment and BYOD in identity management.
- Configure and verify 802.1X, MAB and WebAuth network access control.
- Explain how CoA changes the access of a session that is already connected.
- Recognize exfiltration through DNS tunneling, HTTPS, email, ICMP and other channels.
- Describe Cisco Secure Network Analytics, Cisco Secure Cloud Analytics, Cisco pxGrid and Cisco Umbrella Investigate.
Questions by topic
- Configure and verify network access device functionality such as 802.1X, MAB, and WebAuth4
- Explain exfiltration techniques (DNS tunneling, HTTPS, email, FTP/SSH/SCP/SFTP, ICMP, Messenger, IRC, NTP)3
- Describe identity management and secure network access concepts such as guest services, profiling, posture assessment, and BYOD6
- Describe the components, capabilities, and benefits of these security products and solutions14
- Describe identity management and secure network access concepts4
- Describe network access with CoA1
Requirements
- No formal prerequisites: anyone can book the exam.
- Recommended: three to five years of experience implementing and operating core security technologies.
- Recommended: networking knowledge at the level of CCNA and experience with Cisco security products.
- Recommended: familiarity with basic Python scripting.
About the 350-701 exam
350-701 SCOR tests whether an engineer can implement and operate Cisco's core security technologies: network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection and detection, and secure network access, visibility and enforcement. Passing earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Security Core certification. For CCNP Security it is the core exam, paired with one concentration exam, and for CCIE Security it is the qualifying exam. Cisco recommends three to five years of hands-on work with these technologies first.
Security Concepts and Network Security draw the most questions in the PlanetCert practice test, and cryptography leads within Security Concepts. The explanations show how the parts of a VPN fit together, for example why NAT-T is needed when an IPsec peer sits behind a NAT device. Study Mode suits the visibility products in the last domain, such as Cisco Secure Network Analytics, Cisco pxGrid and Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics, which are easy to mix up. Brainy AI Assistant can walk through a Python API script line by line or explain the debug output of an IPsec tunnel that fails.
How to earn the certification
- Earns
- Cisco Certified Specialist - Security CoreProfessional
The certification stays valid for three years.
- Before
- 200-301 Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Recommended, not required. Many SCOR questions assume this level of networking knowledge.
- 200-301 Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- After
- 300-710 Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (SNCF)
A CCNP Security concentration exam on Cisco Firepower firewalls and intrusion prevention.
- 300-715 Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine (SISE)
A CCNP Security concentration exam on Cisco ISE, which goes deeper into the access control in SCOR's last domain.
- 300-720 Securing Email with Cisco Secure Email Gateway (SESA)
A CCNP Security concentration exam on email security with Cisco Secure Email Gateway.
- 300-725 Securing the Web with Cisco Web Security Appliance (SWSA)
A CCNP Security concentration exam on web security with the Cisco Web Security Appliance.
- 300-730 Implementing Secure Solutions with Virtual Private Networks (SVPN)
A CCNP Security concentration exam on site-to-site and remote access VPNs.
- 300-735 Automating Cisco Security Solutions (SAUTO)
A CCNP Security concentration exam on automating Cisco security products, building on SCOR's Python topic.
- 300-710 Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (SNCF)
How to prepare for 350-701
- 1
Check off Cisco's SCOR topic list
Cisco's exam topics name every product and protocol that can appear, from NAT-T to pxGrid. Mark each one that cannot yet be explained in one sentence, and start there.
- 2
Build a VPN and AAA lab
Bring up a site-to-site IPsec tunnel between two Cisco IOS routers, break it, and read the debug output. Then add TACACS+ or RADIUS logins and Layer 2 protections on a switch.
- 3
Read API scripts before running them
Security Concepts includes reading basic Python scripts that call security appliance APIs. Predict each request and response in a sample script, then run it to check.
- 4
Chart the Cisco security products
Content security, endpoint and visibility questions often turn on product names. List Cisco Umbrella, Cisco Secure Email Gateway, Cisco Secure Web Appliance, Cisco Secure Endpoint and Cisco Secure Network Analytics with what each one protects.
- 5
Run SCOR under time, then review
Take the 350-701 practice test in Timed Mode. Cryptography and Layer 2 security draw many questions, so go over every miss there with Brainy AI Assistant.
Start a timed 350-701run
Cisco's official course is Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR), taught by Cisco and its Learning Partners, with a guided learning path and a practice exam on Cisco U.
Who 350-701 is for
- Security engineers who deploy and run Cisco firewalls, VPNs and access control.
- Network engineers who hold CCNA and are moving into security work.
- Candidates working toward CCNP Security or CCIE Security, which both require SCOR.
- Security consultants who design and support Cisco security solutions for clients.
Typical job titles: Network security engineer · Security engineer · Firewall engineer · Security consultant · Security operations engineer
350-701 glossary
18 terms from the exam objectives and the vendor's official material, each defined in a sentence.
- 802.1X
- A standard for port-based access control: a device must authenticate before the switch or access point passes its traffic.
- Cisco pxGrid
- Cisco Platform Exchange Grid: a framework that lets security products share context, such as user and device identity.
- Cisco Secure Endpoint
- Cisco's endpoint product that blocks and detects malware on devices and can quarantine files.
- Cisco Umbrella
- Cisco's cloud security service that blocks threats at the DNS and web layer before a connection is made.
- CoA
- Change of Authorization: a RADIUS message that changes the access of a session that is already connected, for example after a posture check.
- DevSecOps
- Building security checks into every stage of software delivery, from writing code to running it in production.
- DHCP snooping
- A switch feature that drops DHCP server messages on untrusted ports, so that a rogue server cannot hand out addresses.
- DMVPN
- Dynamic Multipoint VPN: a Cisco design in which spokes build IPsec tunnels to each other on demand through a hub.
- DNS tunneling
- Hiding data inside DNS queries and replies, so that it can leave a network that allows DNS traffic.
- Dynamic ARP inspection
- A switch feature that checks ARP messages against trusted address bindings to stop ARP spoofing.
- Flexible NetFlow
- A form of NetFlow in which the administrator chooses which fields a flow record collects.
- FlexVPN
- Cisco's IKEv2-based way to configure site-to-site and remote access VPNs with one common set of commands.
- MAB
- MAC Authentication Bypass: network access granted by a device's MAC address, for devices that cannot run 802.1X.
- NAT-T
- NAT traversal: IPsec packets wrapped in UDP so that they can pass through a device that translates addresses.
- OWASP top ten
- A widely used list of the most critical security risks to web applications.
- RADIUS
- An authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) protocol widely used for network access, such as 802.1X, wireless and VPN logins.
- TACACS+
- A AAA protocol often used for device administration; it separates authentication, authorization and accounting and encrypts the whole message body.
- Virtual tunnel interfaces
- Routable interfaces that carry IPsec-protected traffic, so that routing protocols can run across the tunnel.
Related practice tests
- 300-535Automating and Programming Cisco Service Provider Solutions (SPAUTO)
- 200-901CCNA Automation (DevNet Associate)
- 200-201CCNA Cybersecurity (CyberOps Associate)
- 200-301Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- 300-420Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks (ENSLD)