350-701 Practice Question: Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of secure network access, visibility and enforcement. 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 is deploying Cisco TrustSec to enforce micro-segmentation between data center servers. Security team wants to use Security Group Tags (SGTs) assigned dynamically via ISE. Which method should the engineer use to propagate SGTs to the access switches that connect the servers, assuming the network uses Cisco Nexus 9000 switches and ISE as the policy server?
Deploy SXP (SGT Exchange Protocol) between ISE and the Nexus switches
SXP is designed to exchange IP-to-SGT mappings between ISE (policy server) and network devices like Nexus switches.
B
Configure ISE as a RADIUS server to send CoA with SGT
Why wrong: RADIUS CoA does not directly carry SGT bindings; it is used for session changes.
C
Enable SGT inline tagging on all interswitch links
Why wrong: Inline tagging requires all devices to support and trust IEEE 802.1Q tags with CMD, and is not the primary method for ISE-to-switch propagation.
D
Use a dedicated VLAN per security group
Why wrong: VLAN-based segmentation defeats the purpose of dynamic TrustSec and is not scalable for micro-segmentation.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Deploy SXP (SGT Exchange Protocol) between ISE and the Nexus switches
For dynamic SGT propagation, the best method is SXP (SGT Exchange Protocol) because it can carry SGT bindings from ISE to network devices without needing inline tagging on every link. Option A (SGT inline tagging) requires hardware support; B (CoA) is for reauthentication; D (RADIUS change of authorization) is not for SGT. So answer is C.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Deploy SXP (SGT Exchange Protocol) between ISE and the Nexus switches
Why this is correct
SXP is designed to exchange IP-to-SGT mappings between ISE (policy server) and network devices like Nexus switches.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Configure ISE as a RADIUS server to send CoA with SGT
Why it's wrong here
RADIUS CoA does not directly carry SGT bindings; it is used for session changes.
✗
Enable SGT inline tagging on all interswitch links
Why it's wrong here
Inline tagging requires all devices to support and trust IEEE 802.1Q tags with CMD, and is not the primary method for ISE-to-switch propagation.
✗
Use a dedicated VLAN per security group
Why it's wrong here
VLAN-based segmentation defeats the purpose of dynamic TrustSec and is not scalable for micro-segmentation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-701 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy SXP (SGT Exchange Protocol) between ISE and the Nexus switches — For dynamic SGT propagation, the best method is SXP (SGT Exchange Protocol) because it can carry SGT bindings from ISE to network devices without needing inline tagging on every link. Option A (SGT inline tagging) requires hardware support; B (CoA) is for reauthentication; D (RADIUS change of authorization) is not for SGT. So answer is C.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-701 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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