The answer is to create a custom URL category for the legitimate sites and apply an allow action above the reputation policy. This is correct because Cisco WSA evaluates access policies sequentially from top to bottom, so placing a higher-priority allow rule for a custom URL category above the reputation scoring check ensures that trusted traffic bypasses the reputation-based block entirely, while the lower-priority reputation policy continues to block malicious sites with scores below the threshold. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of policy evaluation order and the interaction between URL filtering and web reputation filtering—a common trap is attempting to adjust the reputation threshold globally, which would weaken security. Remember the memory tip: "Allow first, then score"—place your trusted-site exceptions above the reputation policy to let the good in while keeping the bad out.
350-701 Content Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of content security. 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 Cisco WSA receives intermittent complaints that legitimate websites are being blocked. The access policy uses reputation scoring and URL filtering. The administrator checks the logs and finds that the blocked requests have a web reputation score of -2.0. What action should be taken to allow these legitimate sites while still blocking malicious ones?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a custom URL category for the legitimate sites and apply an allow action above the reputation policy.
Option A is correct because creating a custom URL category for the legitimate sites and placing an allow action above the reputation policy ensures that traffic matching that category bypasses the reputation scoring check. This allows the legitimate sites while the reputation policy continues to block malicious sites with scores below the threshold. In Cisco WSA, access policies are evaluated in order, so a higher-priority allow rule for trusted URLs overrides the lower-priority reputation-based block.
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.
✓
Create a custom URL category for the legitimate sites and apply an allow action above the reputation policy.
Why this is correct
Allow override bypasses reputation blocking for specific sites.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Lower the reputation threshold to -1.0.
Why it's wrong here
Lower threshold means more strict blocking, would block more legitimate.
✗
Set the reputation action to 'Monitor' for suspicious scores.
Why it's wrong here
Monitor logs but may still block if policy action is block; and it would apply to all suspicious sites.
✗
Disable web reputation filtering for that policy.
Why it's wrong here
Too broad, removes protection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the concept of policy evaluation order in WSA, where candidates mistakenly think adjusting the reputation threshold or disabling filtering is the correct fix, rather than using a higher-priority allow rule for trusted sites.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco WSA uses Web Reputation Filters (WRF) with scores ranging from -10 (most malicious) to +10 (most trusted). The default threshold for blocking is typically -6.0, but administrators can adjust it. When a custom URL category is created and assigned an allow action, it is evaluated before the reputation filter in the access policy chain, effectively whitelisting those URLs regardless of their reputation score. This approach is recommended by Cisco to handle false positives without weakening overall security.
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 350-701 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Content Security — This question tests Content Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a custom URL category for the legitimate sites and apply an allow action above the reputation policy. — Option A is correct because creating a custom URL category for the legitimate sites and placing an allow action above the reputation policy ensures that traffic matching that category bypasses the reputation scoring check. This allows the legitimate sites while the reputation policy continues to block malicious sites with scores below the threshold. In Cisco WSA, access policies are evaluated in order, so a higher-priority allow rule for trusted URLs overrides the lower-priority reputation-based block.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.