The answer is an explicit deny rule. This is correct because while firewalls inherently include an implicit deny at the bottom of the rulebase, relying on it alone can be risky; an explicit deny rule for internal VLAN segmentation ensures that specific traffic flows between the finance and HR VLANs are clearly blocked, preventing any accidental override by a later default-permit rule or misconfiguration. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of firewall policy design and the difference between implicit and explicit actions, often appearing in scenarios where you must enforce strict inter-VLAN controls with minimal administrative overhead. A common trap is assuming the implicit deny is sufficient, but the exam emphasizes that explicit deny rules provide clarity and auditability. Memory tip: “Explicit is better than implicit” — if you need to block it, write it down.
350-701 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 engineer is configuring a new firewall to enforce security policies between two internal VLANs. The goal is to allow only HTTP traffic from the finance VLAN to the HR VLAN, while blocking all other traffic. Which type of firewall rule should be applied to achieve this requirement with minimal administrative overhead?
An explicit deny at the end of the rule base ensures that only explicitly permitted traffic (HTTP) is allowed, following best practice.
B
Implicit deny rule
Why wrong: Implicit deny is a default behavior, but the question asks for the type of rule to apply; explicit deny is the appropriate action to clearly block unwanted traffic.
C
Stateful rule
Why wrong: Stateful rules track connections but do not enforce a default-deny; they require explicit permit and deny rules.
D
Default-permit rule
Why wrong: Default-permit allows all traffic, which contradicts the requirement to block all except HTTP.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Explicit deny rule
Option A is correct because an explicit deny rule is required to block all traffic except HTTP from finance to HR. While firewalls have an implicit deny at the end of the rulebase, the requirement to 'block all other traffic' with minimal administrative overhead is best met by creating an explicit deny rule that matches the specific traffic flows to be blocked, ensuring clarity and preventing unintended implicit allow behavior. This approach avoids relying on the implicit deny, which could be overridden by a later default-permit rule or misconfiguration.
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.
✓
Explicit deny rule
Why this is correct
An explicit deny at the end of the rule base ensures that only explicitly permitted traffic (HTTP) is allowed, following best practice.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Implicit deny rule
Why it's wrong here
Implicit deny is a default behavior, but the question asks for the type of rule to apply; explicit deny is the appropriate action to clearly block unwanted traffic.
✗
Stateful rule
Why it's wrong here
Stateful rules track connections but do not enforce a default-deny; they require explicit permit and deny rules.
✗
Default-permit rule
Why it's wrong here
Default-permit allows all traffic, which contradicts the requirement to block all except HTTP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between explicit deny and implicit deny, trapping candidates who think the implicit deny alone is sufficient to block traffic, when in fact an explicit deny rule is needed to enforce a specific block with minimal administrative overhead and to avoid reliance on default behaviors that can be overridden.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Cisco ASA and Firepower firewalls, the rulebase is processed top-down, and the implicit deny at the end ensures unmatched traffic is dropped. However, an explicit deny rule can be placed strategically to block specific traffic before a broader permit rule, reducing the chance of accidental allow due to rule order. For example, in a real-world scenario, you might place an explicit deny rule for all traffic from finance to HR, then a permit rule for HTTP, ensuring that any new service added later does not inadvertently pass through the implicit deny.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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.
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Explicit deny rule — Option A is correct because an explicit deny rule is required to block all traffic except HTTP from finance to HR. While firewalls have an implicit deny at the end of the rulebase, the requirement to 'block all other traffic' with minimal administrative overhead is best met by creating an explicit deny rule that matches the specific traffic flows to be blocked, ensuring clarity and preventing unintended implicit allow behavior. This approach avoids relying on the implicit deny, which could be overridden by a later default-permit rule or misconfiguration.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.