hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
350-701 Practice Question: A security team suspects that malware is…
A security team suspects that malware is exfiltrating data by encoding it in DNS queries. Which Cisco security solution is specifically designed to analyze DNS traffic for malicious activity?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between network security appliances that inspect traffic (like Firepower) versus cloud-based DNS security (Umbrella), leading candidates to mistakenly choose Firepower because they think 'DNS traffic analysis' implies a firewall feature.
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
✓
Cisco Umbrella
Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-delivered security solution that provides DNS-layer security by intercepting and analyzing DNS queries. It can detect and block DNS-based data exfiltration techniques, such as DNS tunneling, by inspecting DNS request patterns and comparing them against threat intelligence feeds. This makes it the correct choice for analyzing DNS traffic for malicious activity.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Cisco Firepower NGFW
Why it's wrong here
Firepower can inspect DNS but is not the primary solution for DNS tunneling detection.
- ✗
Cisco Stealthwatch
Why it's wrong here
Stealthwatch analyzes network flows, not specifically DNS payloads.
- ✗
Cisco Email Security Appliance
Why it's wrong here
ESA focuses on email threats, not DNS.
- ✓
Cisco Umbrella
Why this is correct
Umbrella provides DNS security and can detect tunneling.
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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.