The answer is to add the self-signed certificate to the Python trust store by using the cert file in the verify parameter. This approach resolves the APIC REST API SSL certificate verification error without compromising security, as it explicitly trusts the specific self-signed certificate while still enforcing HTTPS verification for all other connections. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that disabling verification or switching to HTTP are never acceptable solutions in a production environment with strict security policies, and that the requests library’s verify parameter can accept a path to a custom CA bundle. A common trap is assuming you must either disable verification or wait for a CA-signed certificate, but the immediate, policy-compliant fix is to export the APIC’s self-signed certificate and point verify= to that file. Memory tip: “Verify with a file, not a blind smile” — always provide a certificate path rather than setting verify=False.
350-601 Automation Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of automation. 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 large financial institution has recently migrated its data center network to a new Cisco ACI fabric. The operations team is tasked with automating the provisioning of new application tenants, including EPGs, contracts, and bridge domains, using the APIC REST API. They have developed a comprehensive set of Python scripts that successfully performed these actions in their lab environment. However, when deploying the scripts to production, they receive an 'SSL: CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED' error from the requests library. The production APIC cluster uses a self-signed certificate for HTTPS, and the corporate security policy strictly prohibits the use of HTTP or disabling certificate verification. Additionally, the policy does not allow replacing the self-signed certificate with a CA-signed one without a lengthy approval process that could delay the automation project. The team needs an immediate solution that maintains security best practices. What should the team do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add the self-signed certificate to the Python trust store by using the cert file in the verify parameter.
Option C is correct because adding the self-signed certificate to the Python trust store allows verification to succeed while maintaining security. Option A disables verification, violating security. Option B requires policy change that is not immediate. Option D uses HTTP, which is insecure.
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.
✗
Use HTTP instead of HTTPS for the API calls.
Why it's wrong here
HTTP transmits data in cleartext, violating security best practices and likely corporate policy.
✓
Add the self-signed certificate to the Python trust store by using the cert file in the verify parameter.
Why this is correct
This enables verification against the specific certificate, maintaining security without policy changes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable SSL certificate verification in the Python requests by setting verify=False.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling verification exposes the connection to man-in-the-middle attacks, violating security policy.
✗
Request an exception to the security policy to allow a CA-signed certificate.
Why it's wrong here
This would take time and may not be approved immediately; the team needs an immediate solution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 350-601 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Automation — This question tests Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add the self-signed certificate to the Python trust store by using the cert file in the verify parameter. — Option C is correct because adding the self-signed certificate to the Python trust store allows verification to succeed while maintaining security. Option A disables verification, violating security. Option B requires policy change that is not immediate. Option D uses HTTP, which is insecure.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Identify which 350-601 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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