easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
350-701 Practice Question: A network administrator needs to configure Cisco…
A network administrator needs to configure Cisco WSA to decrypt HTTPS traffic for inspection. What is the first step that must be completed?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that you first need to configure an ACL or bypass list before installing the CA certificate, but the fundamental prerequisite is establishing trust through certificate installation, otherwise decryption cannot function at all.
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
✓
Install a Certificate Authority (CA) certificate on the WSA and distribute it to clients
The first step in configuring Cisco WSA for HTTPS decryption is to install a Certificate Authority (CA) certificate on the WSA and distribute it to client devices. This establishes trust because the WSA acts as a man-in-the-middle, generating a new certificate for each HTTPS session signed by this CA; without the CA certificate in the clients' trusted root store, browsers will display certificate warnings and block the connection.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a bypass list for internal sites
Why it's wrong here
Bypass is configured after decryption is enabled.
- ✗
Configure an Access Control List (ACL) to allow decryption
Why it's wrong here
ACLs are not the first step; they are for firewall rules.
- ✓
Install a Certificate Authority (CA) certificate on the WSA and distribute it to clients
Why this is correct
This allows the WSA to act as a trusted man-in-the-middle.
- ✗
Configure user authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication is separate from decryption setup.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 350-701 question is part of Courseiva's 978-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.