The answer is that the decryption policy is not applied to port 8443, so the WSA treats the traffic as non-decrypted and blocks it by default. This occurs because Cisco WSA decryption policies are explicitly tied to specific ports; when a policy is configured to decrypt only port 443, any HTTPS traffic on a non-standard port like 8443 bypasses decryption entirely. Without decryption, the WSA cannot inspect the payload, and its default action for non-decrypted traffic—often governed by an "HTTPS proxy" or "undecryptable traffic" policy—is to block the connection, especially if the URL is uncategorized or matches a security rule. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that decryption policies are port-specific and that non-standard ports require explicit inclusion in the policy or a separate rule to allow traffic. A common trap is assuming decryption applies to all HTTPS traffic regardless of port, so remember the memory tip: "443 is the only port that gets the full decrypt—8443 needs its own key."
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 network administrator notices that users in the finance department are unable to access a legitimate business web application that uses custom port 8443. The WSA is configured with a decryption policy that decrypts all traffic on port 443. What is the most likely cause of the 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 decryption policy is not applied to port 8443, so the WSA treats it as non-decrypted traffic which may be blocked by default
The WSA's decryption policy is configured to decrypt traffic only on port 443 (HTTPS). Since the finance department's web application uses custom port 8443, the traffic is not subject to decryption. By default, the WSA may block non-decrypted traffic that matches certain security or access policies, or it may treat it as untrusted, leading to access failure. The most likely cause is that the decryption policy does not cover port 8443, so the WSA applies a default action (often block) to non-decrypted 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.
✓
The decryption policy is not applied to port 8443, so the WSA treats it as non-decrypted traffic which may be blocked by default
Why this is correct
Default access policies often block non-decrypted or non-standard ports unless explicitly allowed.
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 WSA is configured with a time-based access rule that only allows access during business hours
Why it's wrong here
Time-based rules would cause intermittent access, not a complete block.
✗
The WSA cannot decrypt traffic on port 8443, causing a certificate mismatch
Why it's wrong here
The WSA does not decrypt on port 8443, so no certificate is presented.
✗
The web application is blocked by an identity-based access policy
Why it's wrong here
Identity-based policies apply to authenticated users, but the block is likely due to the port.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that decryption policies automatically apply to all HTTPS traffic regardless of port, when in fact they are port-specific and require explicit configuration for non-standard ports.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The WSA's decryption policy is typically defined with a port range or specific ports (e.g., 443) to match traffic for SSL/TLS interception. When traffic uses a non-standard port like 8443, it falls outside the policy and is handled by the default action, which can be 'block', 'monitor', or 'pass through' depending on configuration. In many deployments, non-decrypted traffic is blocked by default to enforce security compliance, as decryption is required for threat detection and URL filtering. Administrators must either add port 8443 to the decryption policy or create an explicit bypass rule for that application.
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.
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 decryption policy is not applied to port 8443, so the WSA treats it as non-decrypted traffic which may be blocked by default — The WSA's decryption policy is configured to decrypt traffic only on port 443 (HTTPS). Since the finance department's web application uses custom port 8443, the traffic is not subject to decryption. By default, the WSA may block non-decrypted traffic that matches certain security or access policies, or it may treat it as untrusted, leading to access failure. The most likely cause is that the decryption policy does not cover port 8443, so the WSA applies a default action (often block) to non-decrypted 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.
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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