The correct answer is EAP-TLS combined with a Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP). This combination works because EAP-TLS provides certificate-based mutual authentication, verifying that only employees with a valid digital certificate can initiate the connection, while the PEP then enforces posture compliance by checking the endpoint for required security measures like antivirus updates and patch levels before granting full network access. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Cisco ISE integrates authentication and authorization policies—specifically, that certificate authentication alone does not enforce endpoint health, and posture compliance alone does not verify identity. A common trap is choosing EAP-FAST or PEAP with a posture policy, but those lack the mandatory certificate validation that EAP-TLS provides. Remember the memory tip: "Cert first, then posture check" — think of EAP-TLS as the bouncer checking ID (certificate), and PEP as the health inspector checking compliance before entry.
350-701 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. 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 company deploys Cisco ISE for network access control. They want to enforce that only employees with a valid certificate and a compliant posture can access the corporate Wi-Fi. Which policy combination should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Authentication using EAP-TLS and a Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP)
Option C is correct because EAP-TLS provides certificate-based mutual authentication, ensuring only employees with a valid certificate can authenticate. The Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP) then checks the endpoint's compliance (e.g., antivirus, patch level) before granting network access. This combination meets the requirement for both certificate validation and posture compliance enforcement on corporate Wi-Fi.
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.
✗
Authorization profile with dACL and a Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP)
Why it's wrong here
Authorization profiles are applied after successful authentication, not for authentication.
✗
Authentication using PEAP-MSCHAPv2 and a Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP)
Why it's wrong here
PEAP-MSCHAPv2 uses passwords, not certificates, and PEP is applied after authentication.
✓
Authentication using EAP-TLS and a Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP)
Why this is correct
EAP-TLS uses certificates for authentication, and PEP enforces posture compliance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Guest portal with self-registration and a Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP)
Why it's wrong here
Guest portal is for non-employees, not for certificate-based authentication.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between authentication protocols (EAP-TLS vs. PEAP-MSCHAPv2) and their ability to enforce certificate-based access, leading candidates to mistakenly choose PEAP-MSCHAPv2 (Option B) because it is commonly used with machine certificates, but it does not require a client certificate for user authentication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EAP-TLS (RFC 5216) requires both the client and the RADIUS server (ISE) to present X.509 certificates, enabling mutual authentication and preventing man-in-the-middle attacks. The Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP) in ISE uses the Cisco AnyConnect Network Access Manager or the posture agent to assess endpoint compliance (e.g., OS version, running services) and can redirect non-compliant devices to a remediation portal. In a real-world scenario, an employee's laptop with a valid certificate but missing critical patches would be authenticated via EAP-TLS but then denied full network access by the PEP until remediated.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Authentication using EAP-TLS and a Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP) — Option C is correct because EAP-TLS provides certificate-based mutual authentication, ensuring only employees with a valid certificate can authenticate. The Posture Enforcement Policy (PEP) then checks the endpoint's compliance (e.g., antivirus, patch level) before granting network access. This combination meets the requirement for both certificate validation and posture compliance enforcement on corporate Wi-Fi.
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.
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Question Discussion
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