350-701 Endpoint Protection and Detection Practice Question
A company uses Cisco Threat Response (CTR) to investigate a potential breach. The analyst sees an observable (SHA256) with a score of 90 in the threat grid. However, the AMP connector on the endpoint shows 'Allow' for that file. What could cause this discrepancy?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the concept that AMP's Local Analysis can override cloud-based reputation scores, leading to a file being allowed despite a high malicious score in Threat Grid, which candidates mistakenly attribute to misconfigured file blocking or reputation settings.
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
✓
The AMP policy uses 'Local Analysis' and the local analysis determined the file was safe.
Cisco AMP for Endpoints uses a layered approach: cloud-based file reputation (Threat Grid) provides a score, but if the policy has Local Analysis enabled, the endpoint's local engine can override the cloud verdict. In this scenario, the local analysis determined the file was safe, so the file was allowed despite the high cloud score of 90. This explains the discrepancy between the Threat Grid score and the AMP connector's 'Allow' action.
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 'File Blocking' setting is set to 'Off' for the policy, ignoring cloud scores.
Why it's wrong here
File blocking is controlled via file reputation rules, not a separate toggle.
- ✗
The AMP policy has file reputation disabled, so all files are allowed.
Why it's wrong here
If file reputation is disabled, there would be no scoring, but CTR still shows a score.
- ✓
The AMP policy uses 'Local Analysis' and the local analysis determined the file was safe.
Why this is correct
Local analysis can override cloud reputation if configured and the file passes local heuristics.
- ✗
The file was blocked but the AMP console shows 'Allow' due to delayed event ingestion.
Why it's wrong here
The console reflects the action taken; if blocked, it would show 'Block'.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.