This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A company uses Cisco TrustSec in its data center to enforce segmentation. Servers in VLAN 10 (Finance) should only communicate with servers in VLAN 20 (ERP) via an application gateway. Which TrustSec component is used to assign a Security Group Tag (SGT) to traffic from the Finance servers?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Identity Services Engine (ISE) as the authentication and policy server
In Cisco TrustSec, the Identity Services Engine (ISE) acts as the authentication and policy server that assigns Security Group Tags (SGTs) to endpoints or traffic based on identity and policy. ISE uses 802.1X, MAB, or web authentication to identify the Finance servers and then dynamically assigns the appropriate SGT, which is then used for segmentation enforcement.
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.
✓
Identity Services Engine (ISE) as the authentication and policy server
Why this is correct
ISE assigns SGTs based on user or device identity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
MACsec encryption on the links
Why it's wrong here
MACsec provides link-layer encryption, not SGT assignment.
✗
802.1X port-based authentication
Why it's wrong here
802.1X authenticates the device, but SGT is assigned by ISE after authentication.
✗
VLAN ACL (VACL) on the switch
Why it's wrong here
VACLs filter based on Layer 2, not assign SGTs.
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 policy server (ISE) that actually assigns the SGT, leading candidates to mistakenly select 802.1X as the component that assigns the tag.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TrustSec uses SGTs (16-bit values) to represent security groups; ISE assigns these tags via RADIUS attributes (e.g., Cisco-AVPair=cts:security-tag=value) during authentication. The SGT is then propagated across the network using Cisco's SGT Exchange Protocol (SXP) or inline tagging in the MACsec or VXLAN header, enabling consistent policy enforcement at the access layer.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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: Identity Services Engine (ISE) as the authentication and policy server — In Cisco TrustSec, the Identity Services Engine (ISE) acts as the authentication and policy server that assigns Security Group Tags (SGTs) to endpoints or traffic based on identity and policy. ISE uses 802.1X, MAB, or web authentication to identify the Finance servers and then dynamically assigns the appropriate SGT, which is then used for segmentation enforcement.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 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.
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Question Discussion
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