The answer is Security Group Tags (SGTs) and Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs). These two features form the core of Cisco TrustSec for role-based access control because SGTs tag traffic with the source identity, while SGACLs enforce policies based on those tags, replacing traditional IP-based ACLs with dynamic, identity-aware filtering that scales across the network. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this topic tests your understanding of how TrustSec decouples policy from network topology; a common trap is confusing SGTs as the policy itself rather than the identity marker. Remember that SGTs are the labels, and SGACLs are the rules that use those labels—think of SGTs as nametags and SGACLs as the bouncer checking them. A useful memory tip: SGTs tag the source, SGACLs gate the access.
CCNP Security Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO features are part of Cisco TrustSec for providing role-based access control?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs)
Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs) are a core component of Cisco TrustSec, enforcing role-based access control by applying policies based on Security Group Tags (SGTs). SGACLs replace traditional IP-based ACLs, allowing dynamic, identity-aware traffic filtering that scales across the network.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs)
Why this is correct
SGACLs enforce policies based on SGTs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Change of Authorization (CoA)
Why it's wrong here
CoA is used for mid-session policy changes, not a core TrustSec feature.
✗
802.1X authentication
Why it's wrong here
802.1X is an authentication protocol, not a TrustSec feature.
✓
Security Group Tags (SGTs)
Why this is correct
SGTs are used to classify traffic based on user/device identity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
MACsec encryption
Why it's wrong here
MACsec provides encryption, not access control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between the authentication mechanism (802.1X) and the authorization/enforcement components (SGTs and SGACLs), leading candidates to mistakenly select 802.1X as a TrustSec RBAC feature.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, TrustSec uses SGTs (16-bit values) to classify endpoints into security groups, and SGACLs are then applied on Cisco switches or firewalls to permit or deny traffic based on source and destination SGTs. In a real-world scenario, a hospital might assign an SGT of 'Nurse' to a device via 802.1X, and an SGACL could allow that device to access patient records but block access to the pharmacy system, all without relying on IP addresses.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs) — Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs) are a core component of Cisco TrustSec, enforcing role-based access control by applying policies based on Security Group Tags (SGTs). SGACLs replace traditional IP-based ACLs, allowing dynamic, identity-aware traffic filtering that scales across the network.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which THREE of the following are characteristics of Cisco TrustSec (CTS) security architecture?
hard
A.It uses IPsec to encrypt traffic between network devices.
B.It uses VLANs to segment traffic based on security roles.
✓ C.It uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) to classify traffic.
✓ D.It provides data confidentiality using IEEE 802.1AE (MACsec) encryption.
✓ E.It uses Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs) to enforce policies.
Why C: C is correct because Cisco TrustSec uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) to classify traffic based on user, device, or role, rather than IP addresses. SGTs are 16-bit values (0–65535) assigned dynamically via authentication (e.g., 802.1X) or static mapping, enabling scalable policy enforcement.
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This 350-401 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-401 exam.
Question Discussion
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