- A
Set the rule action to 'Allow' and rely on intrusion policy with 'Drop and Reset'
In passive mode, the device cannot block; 'Allow' is appropriate and intrusion policy can alert but not drop. 'Drop and Reset' will not actually drop in passive mode.
- B
Set the rule action to 'Trust'
Why wrong: Trust bypasses all inspection, not recommended for blocking malicious traffic.
- C
Set the rule action to 'Block' with a reset
Why wrong: Passive mode cannot block traffic; the device only receives a copy of traffic.
- D
Set the rule action to 'Interactive Block'
Why wrong: Interactive Block sends TCP resets and can affect traffic; in passive mode it may not be effective and can cause issues.
Question 446 of 1,000
350-701 Network Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of network 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.
A Cisco FTD device is deployed in passive mode. The security team wants to block malicious traffic without affecting legitimate traffic. Which action should be used in the access control policy rule?
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
✓
Set the rule action to 'Allow' and rely on intrusion policy with 'Drop and Reset'
In passive mode, the FTD cannot block inline; the 'Interactive Block' action sends a TCP reset but is not recommended as it can affect traffic. The correct approach is to use 'Allow' and rely on an intrusion policy set to 'Drop and Reset' which will generate alerts but not block because the device is passive. Actually, in passive mode, no blocking is possible; the best is to use 'Allow' and monitor. But the question expects 'Interactive Block' which can send resets; however it may affect legitimate traffic. The intended answer is 'Allow' with intrusion policy alerts. But given options, 'Interactive Block' is often used for blocking but can cause issues. The correct answer is to not block, so 'Allow'.
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.
- ✓
Set the rule action to 'Allow' and rely on intrusion policy with 'Drop and Reset'
Why this is correct
In passive mode, the device cannot block; 'Allow' is appropriate and intrusion policy can alert but not drop. 'Drop and Reset' will not actually drop in passive mode.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set the rule action to 'Trust'
Why it's wrong here
Trust bypasses all inspection, not recommended for blocking malicious traffic.
- ✗
Set the rule action to 'Block' with a reset
Why it's wrong here
Passive mode cannot block traffic; the device only receives a copy of traffic.
- ✗
Set the rule action to 'Interactive Block'
Why it's wrong here
Interactive Block sends TCP resets and can affect traffic; in passive mode it may not be effective and can cause issues.
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 350-701 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 350-701 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-701 question test?
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set the rule action to 'Allow' and rely on intrusion policy with 'Drop and Reset' — In passive mode, the FTD cannot block inline; the 'Interactive Block' action sends a TCP reset but is not recommended as it can affect traffic. The correct approach is to use 'Allow' and rely on an intrusion policy set to 'Drop and Reset' which will generate alerts but not block because the device is passive. Actually, in passive mode, no blocking is possible; the best is to use 'Allow' and monitor. But the question expects 'Interactive Block' which can send resets; however it may affect legitimate traffic. The intended answer is 'Allow' with intrusion policy alerts. But given options, 'Interactive Block' is often used for blocking but can cause issues. The correct answer is to not block, so 'Allow'.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 question wrong?
Identify which 350-701 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 350-701 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 350-701 exam.
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