The answer is that ISE has not synchronized the latest AD group membership. This is the most likely cause because ISE caches Active Directory group memberships and only updates that cache during a scheduled or forced synchronization; when a new user is added to the Finance AD group, their SGT assignment remains at the default value of 0 until the next sync refreshes the cache and ISE recognizes the updated membership. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this question tests your understanding of how TrustSec SGT assignment relies on AD group sync timing rather than real-time directory lookups, and a common trap is assuming that a policy change or profiling issue is at fault when the real culprit is a stale cache. Remember the memory tip: “New user, SGT zero? Sync the directory hero.”
350-701 Practice Question: Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of secure network access, visibility and enforcement. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 ISE deployment uses TrustSec with SGTs assigned by Active Directory group membership. A group of users in the 'Finance' AD group is correctly receiving SGT 5, but a new user added to that group is getting SGT 0. The ISE policy is unchanged, and other users in the group work fine. What is the most likely cause?
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
✓
ISE has not synchronized the latest AD group membership
Option D is correct because ISE caches AD groups; a new user may not be in the cache until the next sync. Option A is wrong because SGT classification can be based on AD groups without PAC. Option B is wrong because endpoint protection is separate. Option C is wrong because profiling is not involved in AD group-based SGT assignment.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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 user endpoint has not been profiled by ISE yet
Why it's wrong here
Profiling is not required for AD group-based SGT assignment.
✓
ISE has not synchronized the latest AD group membership
Why this is correct
ISE caches AD groups. If the user was recently added, the cache may be stale, causing ISE to assign a default SGT (0).
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
The user endpoint is running antivirus software that blocks SGT assignment
Why it's wrong here
Endpoint protection does not affect ISE SGT assignment.
✗
The user does not have a PAC (Protected Access Credential)
Why it's wrong here
PAC is used for machine authentication, not AD group-based SGT assignment.
✗
The switchport is configured with 'authentication violation restrict' which blocks the new user
Why it's wrong here
The violation mode would affect access, not SGT assignment.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-701 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ISE has not synchronized the latest AD group membership — Option D is correct because ISE caches AD groups; a new user may not be in the cache until the next sync. Option A is wrong because SGT classification can be based on AD groups without PAC. Option B is wrong because endpoint protection is separate. Option C is wrong because profiling is not involved in AD group-based SGT assignment.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-701 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
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?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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