- A
MAB
Correct. MAB uses MAC address for authentication.
- B
Guest access
Why wrong: Guest access is for visitors, not for IoT devices.
- C
Profiling
Why wrong: Profiling identifies device type, but does not grant access by itself.
- D
Posture assessment
Why wrong: Posture assessment checks compliance, but requires an agent or 802.1X.
Question 987 of 988
350-701 Endpoint Security and Identity Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of endpoint security and identity. 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 wants to implement network access control for IoT devices that do not support 802.1X. Which Cisco ISE feature can be used to grant these devices network access based on their MAC address?
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
✓
MAB
MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB) is the correct Cisco ISE feature because it allows network access for devices that cannot perform 802.1X, such as IoT devices. MAB works by using the device’s MAC address as the authentication credential; ISE checks the MAC address against an allowed list (e.g., endpoint identity store) and grants or denies access accordingly. This is the standard fallback mechanism for non-802.1X-capable endpoints in a wired or wireless network.
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.
- ✓
MAB
Why this is correct
Correct. MAB uses MAC address for authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Guest access
Why it's wrong here
Guest access is for visitors, not for IoT devices.
- ✗
Profiling
Why it's wrong here
Profiling identifies device type, but does not grant access by itself.
- ✗
Posture assessment
Why it's wrong here
Posture assessment checks compliance, but requires an agent or 802.1X.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that Profiling (Option C) can grant network access, but profiling is a classification tool, not an authentication method; candidates confuse the two because profiling results can influence authorization policies after MAB or 802.1X authentication has occurred.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
MAB is defined in IEEE 802.1X-2010 as an optional authentication method where the authenticator (switch or WLC) sends the source MAC address as the username and password in an EAP-MD5 or EAP-GTC frame to the RADIUS server (ISE). In practice, MAB is often configured as a fallback method on a switchport after 802.1X fails, using the 'authentication order mab dot1x' or 'authentication priority dot1x mab' command. A real-world scenario is a hospital using MAB for IP phones or patient monitors that lack 802.1X supplicants, with ISE dynamically assigning VLANs based on the MAC OUI.
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.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
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.
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Endpoint Security and Identity — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-701 question test?
Endpoint Security and Identity — This question tests Endpoint Security and Identity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: MAB — MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB) is the correct Cisco ISE feature because it allows network access for devices that cannot perform 802.1X, such as IoT devices. MAB works by using the device’s MAC address as the authentication credential; ISE checks the MAC address against an allowed list (e.g., endpoint identity store) and grants or denies access accordingly. This is the standard fallback mechanism for non-802.1X-capable endpoints in a wired or wireless network.
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
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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