- A
Configure AWS WAF rate-based rules to block non-corporate IPs and enable managed rules for SQL injection.
Why wrong: WAF can block by IP but does not provide advanced threat detection like an NGFW.
- B
Change the ALB scheme to internal, update DNS to point to the NGFW's public IP, and configure the NGFW to forward traffic to the ALB after inspection. Create WAF rules to block non-corporate traffic except partner IP.
This ensures all traffic is inspected by the NGFW and only allowed IPs reach the ALB.
- C
Deploy an additional ALB as a reverse proxy in front of the NGFW, and configure the WAF on the front ALB.
Why wrong: This adds unnecessary complexity and cost without clear benefit.
- D
Set up a site-to-site VPN between the corporate network and the VPC, and route partner traffic through the VPN.
Why wrong: This does not inspect traffic and does not address partner access from a specific IP.
Quick Answer
The answer is to change the ALB scheme to internal, update DNS to point to the NGFW’s public IP, and configure the NGFW to forward traffic to the ALB after inspection. This solution is correct because it forces all inbound traffic through the NGFW for advanced threat detection before reaching the ALB, while the internal ALB ensures no direct internet access bypasses the firewall. The WAF, now associated with the internal ALB, enforces IP allowlisting for the corporate range and partner IP, blocking common web exploits like SQL injection and XSS. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of traffic chaining in hybrid cloud architectures, where a third-party NGFW must be placed in the data path without breaking existing security controls. A common trap is leaving the ALB internet-facing, which would allow traffic to skip NGFW inspection entirely. Memory tip: “Internal ALB, external NGFW—traffic flows through, then WAF says who.”
350-701 Cloud Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of cloud 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 enterprise is migrating a critical application to AWS. The architecture includes an Application Load Balancer (ALB) in front of EC2 instances across multiple Availability Zones. The application must be protected against common web exploits such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting. The security team decides to use AWS WAF. They also need to ensure that only traffic from the company's corporate IP range (203.0.113.0/24) is allowed to reach the application, except for a partner integration that requires access from a specific IP (198.51.100.5). Additionally, all traffic must be inspected by a third-party NGFW for advanced threat detection. The NGFW is deployed in a separate VPC connected via VPC Peering. The current configuration: ALB is internet-facing, WAF is associated with the ALB, and the NGFW is not in the traffic path. After deployment, traffic from corporate users is not being inspected by the NGFW, and partner traffic is being blocked. What is the most efficient solution to meet all requirements?
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
Change the ALB scheme to internal, update DNS to point to the NGFW's public IP, and configure the NGFW to forward traffic to the ALB after inspection. Create WAF rules to block non-corporate traffic except partner IP.
Option B is correct because it restructures the traffic flow so that all traffic first hits the NGFW (via its public IP) for advanced threat inspection, then the NGFW forwards clean traffic to the internal ALB. By changing the ALB to internal, it no longer accepts direct internet traffic, ensuring the NGFW is in the path. WAF rules on the ALB then enforce the IP allowlist (corporate range plus partner IP) and protect against SQL injection and XSS, meeting all requirements efficiently.
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 AWS WAF rate-based rules to block non-corporate IPs and enable managed rules for SQL injection.
Why it's wrong here
WAF can block by IP but does not provide advanced threat detection like an NGFW.
- ✓
Change the ALB scheme to internal, update DNS to point to the NGFW's public IP, and configure the NGFW to forward traffic to the ALB after inspection. Create WAF rules to block non-corporate traffic except partner IP.
- ✗
Deploy an additional ALB as a reverse proxy in front of the NGFW, and configure the WAF on the front ALB.
Why it's wrong here
This adds unnecessary complexity and cost without clear benefit.
- ✗
Set up a site-to-site VPN between the corporate network and the VPC, and route partner traffic through the VPN.
Why it's wrong here
This does not inspect traffic and does not address partner access from a specific IP.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that WAF alone can enforce IP allowlisting and that the NGFW can be placed after the ALB without changing the ALB scheme, but in reality, an internet-facing ALB receives traffic directly from the internet, bypassing any inline NGFW unless the ALB is made internal and traffic is routed through the NGFW first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS WAF can be associated with an ALB, CloudFront, or API Gateway, but it cannot inspect traffic that bypasses the ALB. By making the ALB internal (RFC 1918 address), it becomes unreachable from the internet, forcing all inbound traffic to go through the NGFW first. The NGFW acts as a reverse proxy, forwarding inspected traffic to the ALB's private IP; this ensures both WAF and NGFW inspect traffic, with WAF handling Layer 7 web exploits and the NGFW providing deeper packet inspection (e.g., for malware or C2 traffic).
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-701 question test?
Cloud Security — This question tests Cloud Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Change the ALB scheme to internal, update DNS to point to the NGFW's public IP, and configure the NGFW to forward traffic to the ALB after inspection. Create WAF rules to block non-corporate traffic except partner IP. — Option B is correct because it restructures the traffic flow so that all traffic first hits the NGFW (via its public IP) for advanced threat inspection, then the NGFW forwards clean traffic to the internal ALB. By changing the ALB to internal, it no longer accepts direct internet traffic, ensuring the NGFW is in the path. WAF rules on the ALB then enforce the IP allowlist (corporate range plus partner IP) and protect against SQL injection and XSS, meeting all requirements efficiently.
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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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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