The correct answer is to confirm that the FTD is configured with a DNS policy to perform DNS snooping for URL filtering. This is because Cisco FTD relies on DNS snooping to map domain names to IP addresses when HTTPS traffic is encrypted and SSL decryption is not enabled; without it, the device cannot associate encrypted traffic with the correct URL category, allowing blocked sites like Facebook and Twitter to slip through. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how FTD URL filtering handles encrypted traffic, often appearing as a troubleshooting scenario where a correctly configured access control policy still fails to block social media. A common trap is assuming the URL filtering rule itself is misconfigured, but the real issue is the missing DNS snooping requirement. Memory tip: think “DNS before URL” — without DNS snooping, encrypted traffic has no name to filter.
350-701 Content Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of content 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.
An organization is using Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) with URL filtering to block access to social media sites during work hours. After implementation, users can still access Facebook and Twitter. The access control policy is configured correctly with a URL category condition. What should the administrator verify first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Confirm that the FTD is configured with a DNS policy to perform DNS snooping for URL filtering.
Option B is correct because Cisco FTD uses DNS snooping to map domain names to IP addresses for URL filtering when SSL decryption is not enabled. Without DNS snooping, the FTD cannot reliably associate traffic with the requested URL category if the traffic is encrypted, leading to bypasses like users accessing Facebook and Twitter despite a blocking rule.
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.
✗
Ensure that SSL decryption is enabled for the relevant traffic.
Why it's wrong here
URL filtering can work without SSL decryption using DNS snooping.
✓
Confirm that the FTD is configured with a DNS policy to perform DNS snooping for URL filtering.
Why this is correct
Without DNS snooping, the FTD cannot categorize URLs for HTTPS traffic and relies on IP reputation, which may not be effective.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Check that the URL filtering rule is above any other permit rules.
Why it's wrong here
Rule order is important but if the rule is present and matching, it should block; the issue is more fundamental.
✗
Verify that the FTD has an updated URL filtering database.
Why it's wrong here
While an updated database is important, the most immediate check is DNS snooping configuration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that SSL decryption is required for URL filtering on encrypted traffic, but the correct first step is to verify DNS snooping, which provides a lightweight alternative for domain-based filtering without decryption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DNS snooping works by intercepting DNS requests and caching the resolved IP-to-domain mappings in the FTD's DNS cache. When subsequent HTTPS traffic to that IP arrives, the FTD matches it against the URL filtering rule based on the cached domain, even without decrypting the SSL/TLS session. In a real-world scenario, if DNS snooping is disabled, the FTD sees only the destination IP and cannot determine the original domain, so it cannot apply the URL category condition, effectively allowing all encrypted traffic to pass.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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.
Content Security — This question tests Content Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Confirm that the FTD is configured with a DNS policy to perform DNS snooping for URL filtering. — Option B is correct because Cisco FTD uses DNS snooping to map domain names to IP addresses for URL filtering when SSL decryption is not enabled. Without DNS snooping, the FTD cannot reliably associate traffic with the requested URL category if the traffic is encrypted, leading to bypasses like users accessing Facebook and Twitter despite a blocking rule.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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