The answer is that the MACsec policy is not applied to the interface, which directly causes MKA to fail to initiate. MACsec Key Agreement (MKA) requires a policy to be explicitly bound to the interface using the `macsec policy` command under the interface configuration; without this binding, the switch has no security profile to enforce, so MKA never starts. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that defining a MACsec policy globally is insufficient—it must be applied per interface, a common trap where candidates overlook the interface-level step. A reliable memory tip is to think of it like a firewall rule: creating the rule does nothing until you assign it to an interface.
350-601 Security Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy is not applied to the interface
The exhibit shows that the MACsec policy is defined but not applied to interface Ethernet1/1. Without applying the policy using the `macsec policy` command under the interface configuration, MKA (MACsec Key Agreement) cannot initiate because the switch does not know which security policy to enforce on that link.
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.
✗
The interface is not administratively up
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit does not indicate the interface is down; the link is up.
✓
The policy is not applied to the interface
Why this is correct
The interface must have 'macsec policy MACSEC' to associate the policy.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The cipher-suite is not supported
Why it's wrong here
GCM-AES-128 is a common and supported cipher suite.
✗
The MACsec key chain is missing
Why it's wrong here
The key chain is not needed if connecting via CKN/CAK directly, but the MKA parameters are present.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between defining a MACsec policy globally and applying it to an interface, knowing that candidates may assume a defined policy is automatically active on all interfaces.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MKA operates at Layer 2 and uses the MACsec Key Agreement protocol (IEEE 802.1X-2010) to derive and distribute session keys. The policy must be explicitly applied to the interface via the `macsec policy POLICY_NAME` command; otherwise, the interface defaults to no MACsec operation, and MKA never sends or processes the initial Discovery or SAK handshake frames. In real-world deployments, forgetting to apply the policy is a common misconfiguration after defining the policy globally.
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: The policy is not applied to the interface — The exhibit shows that the MACsec policy is defined but not applied to interface Ethernet1/1. Without applying the policy using the `macsec policy` command under the interface configuration, MKA (MACsec Key Agreement) cannot initiate because the switch does not know which security policy to enforce on that link.
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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