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Cisco WSA Policy Precedence

A security engineer is configuring Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA) to block access to social media sites during business hours. The company wants to allow access to LinkedIn for the HR department. Which policy configuration approach should the engineer use?

Quick Answer

The correct approach is to create a time-based access policy to block social media during business hours, and an identity-based policy to allow LinkedIn for HR. This works because Cisco WSA policy precedence follows a hierarchical model where time-based policies control broad access windows, while identity-based policies (using authentication or IP ranges) provide granular exceptions for specific user groups. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how WSA evaluates multiple policy types in order—time-based rules first, then identity-based overrides—so the HR exception takes precedence for LinkedIn traffic. A common trap is thinking a single policy can handle both conditions, but WSA requires separate policies for time and identity to avoid over-permitting. Memory tip: think "Time blocks, identity unlocks"—the time policy sets the gate, and the identity policy opens it for specific users.

⚠ Common exam trap

Cisco often tests the distinction between global exceptions (which apply to all users) and identity-based exceptions (which apply to specific groups), leading candidates to incorrectly choose a global exception when a group-specific exception is required.

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

✓

Create a time-based access policy to block social media during business hours, and an identity-based policy to allow LinkedIn for HR.

Cisco WSA uses a hierarchical policy model where time-based access policies control when traffic is allowed or blocked, and identity-based policies (using authentication or IP ranges) provide granular exceptions for specific user groups like HR. By combining a time-based policy to block social media during business hours and an identity-based policy to allow LinkedIn for HR, the engineer achieves the requirement without over-permitting access. This approach leverages WSA's ability to evaluate multiple policy types in order, ensuring the HR exception takes precedence for LinkedIn traffic.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✓

    Create a time-based access policy to block social media during business hours, and an identity-based policy to allow LinkedIn for HR.

    Why this is correct

    Time-based policies restrict access during specific hours, and identity policies can exempt HR.

  • ✗

    Enable HTTPS decryption and block social media based on content.

    Why it's wrong here

    Decryption does not provide time-based or identity-based access control.

  • ✗

    Create a global URL filtering policy to block social media and add an exception for LinkedIn.

    Why it's wrong here

    A global block would affect all users, including HR, unless an identity exception is added.

  • ✗

    Configure Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to block social media posts.

    Why it's wrong here

    DLP is for data loss, not access control.

About these practice questions

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Same concept, more angles

1 more way this is tested on 350-701

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. A network administrator is troubleshooting why users in the marketing department cannot access a specific cloud storage site through the Cisco WSA. The access policy for marketing is set to 'Monitor' for the File Sharing category, but the site is blocked. What is the most likely reason?

medium
  • A.Web reputation threshold is set to block the site.
  • B.The site is mis-categorized as an unknown URL.
  • ✓ C.A more specific identity or policy is applying a block action.
  • D.URL filtering is disabled for that policy.

Why C: Cisco WSA applies policies in a hierarchical order, and a more specific identity or policy (e.g., one based on user group, subnet, or time range) can override a broader policy set to 'Monitor'. Even though the marketing department's access policy is configured to monitor the File Sharing category, a more granular rule may explicitly block the cloud storage site, causing the unexpected block.

JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

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.