Quick Answer
The answer is Cisco WAF (Web Application Firewall), because it is the only solution among Cisco’s security portfolio that operates at Layer 7 to inspect and filter HTTP/HTTPS traffic, directly countering application-layer DDoS attacks such as HTTP floods, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting. By rate-limiting requests, blocking malicious payloads, and enforcing a positive security model, a WAF specifically mitigates the kind of volumetric and protocol-based attacks that target web applications, making it the correct choice for a company migrating to AWS. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between network-layer defenses (like Cisco Firepower or ASAv) and application-layer protections—a common trap is choosing a firewall or IPS that operates at Layers 3–4, which cannot inspect HTTP payloads. Remember: if the attack targets the web app itself, think WAF; for the exam, associate “Layer 7 DDoS” directly with “WAF” and recall the mnemonic “WAF Watches Application Floods.”
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of cloud security. 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.
A company is migrating a web application to AWS and wants to protect against DDoS attacks at the application layer. Which Cisco security solution should they deploy?
Cisco Umbrella
Why wrong: Umbrella provides DNS-layer security, not application layer.
Cisco WAF (Web Application Firewall)
Cisco WAF protects web applications from application-layer DDoS attacks.
Cisco Firepower NGFW
Why wrong: Firepower is a firewall; not specialized for application layer DDoS.
Cisco Stealthwatch
Why wrong: Stealthwatch is for network traffic analysis, not application layer DDoS protection.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Cisco WAF (Web Application Firewall)
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is the correct solution because it specifically inspects and filters HTTP/HTTPS traffic at the application layer (Layer 7), protecting against DDoS attacks such as HTTP floods, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting. Cisco WAF (often delivered via Cisco Secure Web Application or integrated with AWS WAF) can rate-limit requests, block malicious payloads, and enforce positive security models to mitigate application-layer DDoS. This directly addresses the requirement to protect a web application migrating to AWS against Layer 7 attacks.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Cisco Umbrella
Why it's wrong here
Umbrella provides DNS-layer security, not application layer.
Cisco WAF (Web Application Firewall)
Why this is correct
Cisco WAF protects web applications from application-layer DDoS attacks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Cisco Firepower NGFW
Why it's wrong here
Firepower is a firewall; not specialized for application layer DDoS.
Cisco Stealthwatch
Why it's wrong here
Stealthwatch is for network traffic analysis, not application layer DDoS protection.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a network-layer DDoS mitigation solution (like Firepower NGFW or Umbrella) with an application-layer WAF, failing to recognize that only a WAF provides the deep HTTP inspection and rate-limiting needed for Layer 7 attacks.
Detailed technical explanation
A WAF protects against application-layer DDoS by using mechanisms such as rate-based rules (e.g., limiting requests per IP per second), challenge-based defenses (e.g., CAPTCHA or JavaScript challenges), and signature-based detection for known attack patterns. In AWS, Cisco WAF can be deployed as a virtual appliance or integrated with AWS WAF via custom rules, allowing it to inspect HTTP headers, URI paths, and query strings to distinguish legitimate traffic from attack traffic. Real-world scenarios often involve HTTP flood attacks that mimic normal user behavior, where a WAF's ability to analyze request patterns and enforce session-based thresholds is critical.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Cloud Security — This question tests Cloud Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Cisco WAF (Web Application Firewall) — A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is the correct solution because it specifically inspects and filters HTTP/HTTPS traffic at the application layer (Layer 7), protecting against DDoS attacks such as HTTP floods, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting. Cisco WAF (often delivered via Cisco Secure Web Application or integrated with AWS WAF) can rate-limit requests, block malicious payloads, and enforce positive security models to mitigate application-layer DDoS. This directly addresses the requirement to protect a web application migrating to AWS against Layer 7 attacks.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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