The answer is to create a Firepower Access Control policy rule to block the threat IP and log it. This is correct because Cisco Firepower NGFW deployed in Azure acts as the inline security enforcement point capable of deep packet inspection, unlike Azure Network Security Groups which operate only at Layers 3 and 4 and cannot inspect application-layer traffic or integrate with threat feeds for granular IP blocking. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of where to apply policy in a hybrid cloud environment—specifically that Firepower, not NSGs, is the correct layer for threat-based access control. A common trap is choosing an NSG rule, but remember that NSGs lack logging and inspection capabilities for outbound traffic. Memory tip: "Firepower filters the feed; NSGs just need the speed."
350-701 Cloud Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of cloud 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 company uses Microsoft Azure and has deployed Cisco CloudCenter for workload lifecycle management. They also use Cisco Firepower NGFW in Azure. A security analyst notices that the Firepower logs show outbound connections from a workload to an IP address in a known threat feed. The workload is a Linux server that runs a custom application. The analyst checks Azure Network Security Groups (NSGs) and finds that outbound traffic is not restricted. The company's policy requires that all outbound traffic be inspected and logged. The analyst wants to block the specific IP while allowing other outbound traffic. Which action should be taken?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a Firepower Access Control policy rule to block traffic to the threat IP and log it.
Option B is correct because Cisco Firepower NGFW is the inline security enforcement point in this Azure deployment, and it can inspect and log all outbound traffic. Creating a Firepower Access Control policy rule to block the specific threat IP and log it directly enforces the security policy at the firewall layer, which is the only device capable of deep packet inspection and logging as required by company policy. NSGs operate at Layer 3/4 and cannot inspect application-layer traffic or integrate with threat feeds for granular IP blocking without affecting other traffic.
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.
✗
Configure the NSG to deny all outbound traffic and then add allow rules for known good destinations.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This will block many legitimate connections and require constant updates.
✓
Create a Firepower Access Control policy rule to block traffic to the threat IP and log it.
Why this is correct
Correct: Firepower can use dynamic threat intelligence to block.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add a network security group rule to block the specific IP address.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: NSGs are static and not integrated with threat feeds.
✗
Modify the route table to send all outbound traffic through a firewall, bypassing the NSG.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: This does not block the IP but adds latency.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that Azure NSGs can replace a dedicated firewall for outbound traffic inspection and logging, but NSGs lack application-layer visibility and cannot enforce granular threat-feed-based blocking while maintaining required logging.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco Firepower NGFW in Azure uses a virtual appliance that can be integrated with Azure route tables (UDR) to force-tunnel traffic for inspection, but the actual blocking and logging must be done via Firepower Access Control policies. NSGs are evaluated before the firewall in the Azure networking stack when traffic is routed through the firewall, so blocking at the NSG level would prevent the firewall from seeing the traffic, defeating the inspection requirement. In a real-world scenario, the Firepower NGFW can subscribe to Cisco Talos threat intelligence feeds to automatically block known malicious IPs, which is more dynamic and policy-compliant than static NSG rules.
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.
Cloud Security — This question tests Cloud Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Firepower Access Control policy rule to block traffic to the threat IP and log it. — Option B is correct because Cisco Firepower NGFW is the inline security enforcement point in this Azure deployment, and it can inspect and log all outbound traffic. Creating a Firepower Access Control policy rule to block the specific threat IP and log it directly enforces the security policy at the firewall layer, which is the only device capable of deep packet inspection and logging as required by company policy. NSGs operate at Layer 3/4 and cannot inspect application-layer traffic or integrate with threat feeds for granular IP blocking without affecting other traffic.
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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