350-601 Security Practice Question
A data center network engineer wants to encrypt all traffic between two top-of-rack (ToR) switches that are connected via a direct link. The encryption should be transparent to upper-layer protocols and operate at Layer 2. Which technology should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between the encryption protocol (MACsec/802.1AE) and its key management protocol (MKA), leading candidates to mistakenly select MKA as the encryption technology.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
MACsec (802.1AE)
MACsec (802.1AE) is the correct choice because it provides hop-by-hop encryption at Layer 2, encrypting the entire Ethernet frame (excluding the source/destination MAC and VLAN tag) to secure traffic between two directly connected switches. It operates transparently to upper-layer protocols (Layer 3 and above) and requires no IP-level configuration, making it ideal for encrypting a direct link between ToR switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
MACsec (802.1AE)
Why this is correct
MACsec encrypts at Layer 2, ideal for direct links.
- ✗
IPsec VPN
Why it's wrong here
IPsec is Layer 3 encryption, not Layer 2.
- ✗
MKA (MACsec Key Agreement)
Why it's wrong here
MKA is the key exchange protocol for MACsec, not the encryption itself.
- ✗
TLS/SSL
Why it's wrong here
TLS operates at Layer 4 and above.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-601 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 350-601 exam.