The answer is that the encryption action must be configured as 'encrypt then deliver' rather than 'deliver then encrypt' to avoid email rejection. This is because Cisco ESA processes emails through its mail pipeline sequentially; if encryption is set to 'deliver then encrypt', the message is first queued for delivery to the recipient’s mail server in plaintext, and only afterward is encryption attempted as a separate, asynchronous step. As a result, the email leaves the organization unencrypted, and the recipient’s server may reject it for failing to meet encryption expectations from the start. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the ESA email encryption action order and the critical difference between synchronous and asynchronous encryption workflows. A common trap is assuming any encryption setting will suffice, but the exam emphasizes that 'encrypt then deliver' ensures the email is encrypted before it enters the delivery queue. Memory tip: think "encrypt first, deliver second" — like locking a letter in a safe before mailing it.
350-701 Content Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of content 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 hospital uses Cisco ESA for email security. The compliance team requires that all emails containing protected health information (PHI) be encrypted before leaving the organization. The administrator has configured a content filter that matches emails containing patterns like 'Patient ID: [0-9]{9}' and sends them to the encryption service. However, some encrypted emails are being rejected by the recipient's mail server because the encryption is applied after the email has already been processed. What is the most likely reason for this issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The encryption action is configured as 'deliver then encrypt' instead of 'encrypt then deliver'.
Option A is correct because Cisco ESA processes emails through a series of mail policies and content filters before delivery. If the encryption action is configured as 'deliver then encrypt', the email is first sent to the recipient's mail server, and then encryption is attempted as a separate, asynchronous action. This means the email leaves the organization unencrypted, and the recipient's server may reject it if it expects encryption from the start. The correct configuration should be 'encrypt then deliver', which ensures the email is encrypted before it is queued for delivery, preventing rejection due to unencrypted content.
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.
✓
The encryption action is configured as 'deliver then encrypt' instead of 'encrypt then deliver'.
Why this is correct
Order of actions matters.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The content filter is only applied to incoming emails, not outgoing.
Why it's wrong here
Outgoing emails are filtered as well.
✗
The recipient's mail server does not support the encryption protocol used.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is transparent.
✗
The email exceeds the maximum size limit for encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Size limit not mentioned.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'deliver then encrypt' and 'encrypt then deliver' as a common misconfiguration, where candidates assume encryption is always applied before delivery without checking the order of actions in the content filter or mail policy.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Cisco ESA, the 'deliver then encrypt' action is part of the 'Message Delivery' settings where encryption can be applied as a post-delivery action using a separate encryption appliance or service. This is often used for compliance logging but not for inline encryption. The correct approach for outbound encryption is to use a content filter with the 'encrypt' action set to 'encrypt message' before the 'deliver' action, which triggers the encryption engine (e.g., Cisco Registered Envelope Service or PGP) during the SMTP conversation, ensuring the MIME structure is encrypted before the email is handed off to the next MTA.
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.
Content Security — This question tests Content Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The encryption action is configured as 'deliver then encrypt' instead of 'encrypt then deliver'. — Option A is correct because Cisco ESA processes emails through a series of mail policies and content filters before delivery. If the encryption action is configured as 'deliver then encrypt', the email is first sent to the recipient's mail server, and then encryption is attempted as a separate, asynchronous action. This means the email leaves the organization unencrypted, and the recipient's server may reject it if it expects encryption from the start. The correct configuration should be 'encrypt then deliver', which ensures the email is encrypted before it is queued for delivery, preventing rejection due to unencrypted content.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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