The correct answer is to use a contract with the 'encrypt' flag enabled between the EPGs. This is because Cisco ACI’s built-in encryption capability applies AES-256-GCM at the leaf switch level, ensuring data confidentiality for traffic between EPGs within the same tenant without requiring external appliances or routing changes, directly meeting PCI DSS requirements. On the Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this question tests your understanding of ACI’s native security features versus more complex alternatives like IPsec tunnels or external firewalls—a common trap is assuming encryption requires external hardware or that it only works across tenants. Remember that the encrypt flag is a contract-level toggle, not a per-EPG setting, so think of it as a “seal” on the contract itself. Memory tip: “Encrypt the contract, not the EPG” to avoid overcomplicating the solution.
350-601 Security Practice Question
This 350-601 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.
A data center architect is designing security for a Cisco ACI fabric that must comply with PCI DSS. The requirement is to encrypt all traffic between EPGs within the same tenant. Which solution should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a contract with the 'encrypt' flag enabled between the EPGs.
Option B is correct because Cisco ACI supports encryption of traffic between EPGs within the same tenant using a contract with the 'encrypt' flag enabled. This leverages the ACI fabric's built-in capability to apply AES-based encryption (e.g., AES-256-GCM) at the leaf switch level, ensuring data confidentiality for PCI DSS compliance without requiring external devices or complex routing changes.
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.
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Enable port security on the leaf switch interfaces.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume encryption requires an external firewall or VPN, but Cisco ACI natively supports contract-based encryption using MACsec, which is the correct and simplest solution for intra-tenant EPG traffic encryption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'encrypt' flag in an ACI contract triggers the fabric to use MACsec (IEEE 802.1AE) or a similar encryption mechanism between leaf switches for the specified traffic flows. This encryption is transparent to endpoints and operates at Layer 2, ensuring that even if an attacker gains physical access to the fabric links, the data remains confidential. In real-world PCI DSS deployments, this allows segmentation and encryption of cardholder data within a single tenant without the overhead of traditional VPNs or firewalls.
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 practitioner preparing for the 350-601 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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: Use a contract with the 'encrypt' flag enabled between the EPGs. — Option B is correct because Cisco ACI supports encryption of traffic between EPGs within the same tenant using a contract with the 'encrypt' flag enabled. This leverages the ACI fabric's built-in capability to apply AES-based encryption (e.g., AES-256-GCM) at the leaf switch level, ensuring data confidentiality for PCI DSS compliance without requiring external devices or complex routing changes.
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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