Quick Answer
The answer is the Policy Service Node (PSN). This is correct because the PSN is the Cisco ISE node that directly handles endpoint authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) by processing RADIUS requests from network access devices (NADs), and it enforces access policies through posture assessment, guest services, and client provisioning. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of ISE node roles, often appearing in questions that distinguish the PSN from the Administration Node or Monitoring Node; a common trap is confusing the PSN with the Policy Administration Node (PAN), which only manages configuration and does not enforce policies. Remember the memory tip: PSN stands for “Policy Service Node” and also for “Processes and Serves Network access”—it’s the enforcement engine that says yes or no to every endpoint request.
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. 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.
Which Cisco ISE node is responsible for authenticating endpoints and enforcing access policies?
Administration Node
Why wrong: The Administration Node manages ISE configuration and policies but does not enforce them.
pxGrid
Why wrong: pxGrid is a data sharing platform, not a node type for authentication.
Policy Service Node (PSN)
PSN performs authentication and policy enforcement.
Monitoring Node
Why wrong: The Monitoring Node collects logs and reports, not authentication.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Policy Service Node (PSN)
The Policy Service Node (PSN) is the Cisco ISE component that performs endpoint authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) and enforces access policies by processing RADIUS requests from network access devices (NADs). It handles posture assessment, guest services, and client provisioning, making it the direct enforcement point for network access control.
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.
Administration Node
Why it's wrong here
The Administration Node manages ISE configuration and policies but does not enforce them.
pxGrid
Why it's wrong here
pxGrid is a data sharing platform, not a node type for authentication.
Policy Service Node (PSN)
Why this is correct
PSN performs authentication and policy enforcement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Monitoring Node
Why it's wrong here
The Monitoring Node collects logs and reports, not authentication.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between management, monitoring, and enforcement roles, and the trap here is confusing the Administration Node (which defines policies) with the Policy Service Node (which enforces them), leading candidates to pick the Administration Node as the enforcement point.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the PSN runs the RADIUS service (using RFC 2865/2866) and processes Access-Request packets against defined authorization profiles and policy sets. In a distributed ISE deployment, multiple PSNs can be deployed for scalability and redundancy, and they synchronize session data via the ISE database to ensure consistent enforcement across the network. A real-world scenario is a wireless LAN controller sending a RADIUS authentication request to a PSN, which then evaluates the endpoint's posture and returns an Access-Accept with a VLAN or ACL assignment.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
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FAQ
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Policy Service Node (PSN) — The Policy Service Node (PSN) is the Cisco ISE component that performs endpoint authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) and enforces access policies by processing RADIUS requests from network access devices (NADs). It handles posture assessment, guest services, and client provisioning, making it the direct enforcement point for network access control.
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 25, 2026
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