The answer is an expired or untrusted client certificate, as this is the most likely client-side issue when a remote user has internet access and can reach the ASA’s public IP but cannot establish an AnyConnect VPN connection. In an SSL/TLS handshake, AnyConnect relies on certificate-based authentication; if the client’s certificate has expired or is not trusted by the ASA, the tunnel will fail even though network connectivity and server-side configuration are fine. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to isolate client-side certificate problems from server misconfigurations or basic connectivity faults—a common trap is assuming the issue lies with the ASA when the user can reach its public IP. Remember the memory tip: “Reach the IP, but no tunnel? Check the cert’s trust and expiry.”
350-701 Network Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of network 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 remote user is unable to connect to the corporate VPN using Cisco AnyConnect. The user has internet access and can reach the ASA's public IP. The ASA administrator checks and sees that the remote access VPN configuration is correct. What is the most likely client-side 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 client's certificate is expired or not trusted.
The user can reach the ASA's public IP and has internet access, which rules out basic connectivity issues. Since the ASA's VPN configuration is correct, the problem is likely on the client side. A common cause is an expired or untrusted certificate, as AnyConnect uses certificate-based authentication for the SSL/TLS handshake; if the client does not trust the server's certificate or the client's own certificate is expired, the VPN tunnel will fail to establish.
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 client is using an outdated version of AnyConnect.
Why it's wrong here
Outdated versions may have issues, but connection failure with correct ASA config suggests a certificate issue.
✗
The client's DNS is not resolving the VPN hostname.
Why it's wrong here
The user can reach the ASA's public IP, so DNS is working.
✗
The client's firewall is blocking TCP port 443.
Why it's wrong here
The user can reach the ASA's public IP, so port 443 is likely open.
✓
The client's certificate is expired or not trusted.
Why this is correct
Certificate authentication failure is a common cause when ASA configuration is correct.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between network-layer reachability (IP connectivity) and application-layer authentication (certificate trust), leading candidates to incorrectly choose firewall or DNS issues when the user can already reach the ASA's IP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AnyConnect uses SSL/TLS on TCP 443 by default, but it can also use DTLS on UDP 443 for faster performance. Certificate validation is critical: the client must trust the ASA's server certificate (issued by a CA in the client's trust store) and, if client certificates are required, the client's certificate must be valid and not expired. In real-world scenarios, an expired CA certificate or a mismatch in the certificate's Subject Alternative Name (SAN) can cause the handshake to fail even if the IP is reachable.
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.
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The client's certificate is expired or not trusted. — The user can reach the ASA's public IP and has internet access, which rules out basic connectivity issues. Since the ASA's VPN configuration is correct, the problem is likely on the client side. A common cause is an expired or untrusted certificate, as AnyConnect uses certificate-based authentication for the SSL/TLS handshake; if the client does not trust the server's certificate or the client's own certificate is expired, the VPN tunnel will fail to establish.
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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