The answer is an Access Control Policy with Application and URL filtering. This is correct because it enables Layer 7 inspection, using Cisco Firepower’s application detector database to identify social media applications like Facebook or Twitter by their unique traffic signatures, regardless of the port, protocol, or encryption in use. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this question tests your understanding of how FTD differentiates between simple port-based rules and deep application awareness—a common trap is choosing a standard port-based ACL, which fails to block apps that hop ports or use HTTPS. Remember the key distinction: if you need to block an application by name, you must use application filtering, not just port blocking. A helpful memory tip is “App over Port”—when the intent is to block social media, think application identity, not transport layer numbers.
350-701 Network Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of network 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 security engineer is configuring a Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) device managed by FMC. They want to create a rule that blocks access to social media applications regardless of port or protocol. Which policy should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Access Control Policy with Application and URL filtering
An Access Control Policy with Application and URL filtering is the correct choice because it allows the security engineer to create a rule that blocks social media applications based on application signatures, independent of the port or protocol used. This policy inspects traffic at Layer 7, using the Cisco Firepower application detector database to identify and block applications like Facebook or Twitter even if they use non-standard ports or encryption.
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.
✗
Intrusion Policy
Why it's wrong here
Intrusion policy is for detecting and preventing exploits, not application blocking.
✗
Prefilter Policy
Why it's wrong here
Prefilter policy applies to traffic before inspection, but does not filter by application.
✗
SSL Policy
Why it's wrong here
SSL policy is used to decrypt or bypass inspection, not to block applications.
✓
Access Control Policy with Application and URL filtering
Why this is correct
Access control policies can include application and URL conditions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Prefilter Policy (which is for fast-path or block based on IP/port) with application-level blocking, but Cisco tests that only an Access Control Policy with application filtering can block applications regardless of port or protocol.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco Firepower uses a Network Visibility Module (NVM) and application detectors to identify applications by analyzing packet payloads, flow patterns, and protocol behavior, even when traffic is encrypted or uses non-standard ports. The Access Control Policy evaluates traffic in order of rules, and when an application filter is applied, it matches against the application's unique signature (e.g., Facebook's TLS handshake patterns or HTTP User-Agent strings). In a real-world scenario, if users attempt to access social media via a proxy or on port 8080, the application filter will still block it because the detection is based on the application's behavior, not just the port.
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.
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: Access Control Policy with Application and URL filtering — An Access Control Policy with Application and URL filtering is the correct choice because it allows the security engineer to create a rule that blocks social media applications based on application signatures, independent of the port or protocol used. This policy inspects traffic at Layer 7, using the Cisco Firepower application detector database to identify and block applications like Facebook or Twitter even if they use non-standard ports or encryption.
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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