The answer is enabling certificate-based authentication for APIC access and implementing security domains. Certificate-based authentication eliminates reliance on shared passwords by using X.509 certificates for APIC login, which prevents credential theft and brute-force attacks—a critical layer for Cisco ACI fabric security best practices. Security domains enforce role-based access control by partitioning the fabric into logical groups, restricting user permissions to specific tenants, EPGs, or policies, thereby enforcing least-privilege access across the fabric. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this topic tests your understanding of how to harden the APIC controller and segment administrative control; a common trap is confusing security domains with VRFs or tenants, but remember that domains are about RBAC, not network isolation. A useful memory tip: “Certificates lock the door, domains lock the rooms.”
350-601 Security Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 of these are best practices for securing the Cisco ACI fabric?
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
✓
Use security domains to control RBAC.
Security domains in Cisco ACI provide role-based access control (RBAC) by partitioning the fabric into logical groups, allowing administrators to restrict user permissions to specific tenants, EPGs, or policies. This is a core best practice to enforce least-privilege access and prevent unauthorized configuration changes across the fabric.
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 security domains to control RBAC.
Why this is correct
Security domains isolate tenant administration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use in-band management for APIC connectivity.
Why it's wrong here
Out-of-band is recommended for management traffic.
✓
Enable certificate-based authentication for APIC access.
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Leave default passwords for fabric discovery.
Why it's wrong here
Default passwords must be changed.
✗
Place APIC controllers in a DMZ.
Why it's wrong here
APICs should be in a secure management network.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that in-band management is acceptable for APIC connectivity, but the correct practice is to use out-of-band management to keep APIC traffic separate from the data plane and reduce attack surface.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco ACI uses certificate-based authentication (option C) to secure APIC access via HTTPS, leveraging X.509 certificates for mutual TLS (mTLS) between APIC and clients, which eliminates reliance on shared secrets and prevents man-in-the-middle attacks. In production, combining security domains with certificate-based authentication ensures granular RBAC enforcement while maintaining strong cryptographic identity verification for all administrative sessions.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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 security domains to control RBAC. — Security domains in Cisco ACI provide role-based access control (RBAC) by partitioning the fabric into logical groups, allowing administrators to restrict user permissions to specific tenants, EPGs, or policies. This is a core best practice to enforce least-privilege access and prevent unauthorized configuration changes across the fabric.
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.
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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Question Discussion
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