The answer is to generate a trusted root CA certificate on the ASA and distribute it to all client machines. This step is essential because the ASA performs SSL inspection by acting as a man-in-the-middle proxy, intercepting the client’s HTTPS request and re-encrypting traffic with a dynamically signed copy of the web server’s certificate. For clients to trust this re-encrypted traffic without certificate errors, the ASA’s own root CA must be installed in the client’s trusted root store, allowing the dynamically generated certificates to chain back to a trusted authority. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of SSL decryption prerequisites and the trust model required for transparent proxy inspection. A common trap is assuming the ASA can simply decrypt without distributing a root CA, which would trigger browser security warnings. Memory tip: “No root, no trust—distribute the CA or clients will bust.”
350-701 Network Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of network security. 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.
An administrator is configuring a Cisco ASA 5500-X to perform SSL inspection for outbound traffic. The users must be able to access HTTPS websites without certificate errors. Which configuration step is essential for the ASA to perform decryption?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Generate a trusted root CA certificate on the ASA and distribute it to all client machines.
Option D is correct because for the ASA to perform SSL inspection (a man-in-the-middle proxy), it must generate a trusted root CA certificate that is installed as a trusted root on all client machines. This allows the ASA to dynamically sign the web server's certificate during the SSL handshake, so clients trust the re-encrypted traffic without certificate errors.
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.
✗
Configure the ASA to use a self-signed certificate without distribution.
ASA does not need server private keys; it generates dynamic certificates.
✗
Configure AAA authentication for SSL inspection.
Why it's wrong here
AAA is for access control, not for certificate trust.
✓
Generate a trusted root CA certificate on the ASA and distribute it to all client machines.
Why this is correct
Clients need to trust the ASA's certificate to avoid warnings.
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 misconception that the ASA needs the server's private key (Option B) to decrypt traffic, when in fact the ASA performs a full man-in-the-middle proxy and only needs its own trusted CA certificate distributed to clients.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSL inspection on the ASA works by intercepting the ClientHello, then the ASA initiates a separate TLS handshake with the destination server using the server's public certificate. The ASA then re-encrypts the traffic to the client using a dynamically generated certificate signed by the ASA's internal CA. If the client does not trust the ASA's CA root, the browser will display a certificate error (e.g., NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID). In a real-world deployment, the ASA's CA certificate must be distributed via Group Policy or MDM to all domain-joined or managed devices.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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: Generate a trusted root CA certificate on the ASA and distribute it to all client machines. — Option D is correct because for the ASA to perform SSL inspection (a man-in-the-middle proxy), it must generate a trusted root CA certificate that is installed as a trusted root on all client machines. This allows the ASA to dynamically sign the web server's certificate during the SSL handshake, so clients trust the re-encrypted traffic without certificate errors.
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.
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Question Discussion
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