The answer is that hardware bypass is supported on specific Firepower appliances to ensure network continuity during device failure, and inline mode enables the system to drop malicious packets based on signature matches and anomaly detection. In inline mode, the Cisco Firepower NGIPS interfaces sit directly in the traffic path, allowing the IPS engine to enforce blocking actions in real time rather than merely alerting as in passive mode. This is a critical distinction on the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, where you must differentiate between inline and passive deployment considerations—the common trap is assuming all inline deployments require hardware bypass, when in fact only certain appliances support it, and software bypass (fail-open) is the alternative. The exam tests your understanding that inline mode provides active threat prevention but introduces a single point of failure, making bypass mechanisms essential. Memory tip: think “Inline = In the path, so Bypass is a must—but only hardware on specific chassis.”
350-701 Network Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of network security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 TWO are valid considerations for deploying Cisco Firepower NGIPS with inline mode? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Inline interfaces can drop malicious packets based on signatures and anomalies.
Option C is correct because inline mode in Cisco Firepower NGIPS allows the system to actively drop malicious packets based on signature matches and anomaly detection. Unlike passive monitoring, inline interfaces sit directly in the traffic path, enabling the IPS engine to enforce blocking actions in real time.
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.
✗
Inline mode automatically decrypts SSL traffic without configuration.
Inline interfaces can drop malicious packets based on signatures and anomalies.
Why this is correct
Inline mode enables dropping of traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Inline mode requires the use of passive interfaces for failover.
Why it's wrong here
Inline interfaces can have hardware bypass for failover.
✓
Hardware bypass is supported on specific Firepower appliances to ensure network continuity during device failure.
Why this is correct
Hardware bypass maintains connectivity if device fails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that inline mode automatically inspects all traffic, but candidates must remember that prefilter policies can bypass the IPS engine entirely, and SSL decryption is never automatic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Inline mode places the Firepower appliance as a Layer 2 bump in the wire, where each packet is inspected by the Snort-based IPS engine. Prefilter policies can bypass inspection for trusted traffic, and SSL decryption requires a separate SSL policy with decryption rules and certificate management. Hardware bypass (supported on models like the 2100, 4100, and 9300 series) uses electromechanical relays to physically connect the inline pair during power loss, ensuring zero traffic interruption.
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: Inline interfaces can drop malicious packets based on signatures and anomalies. — Option C is correct because inline mode in Cisco Firepower NGIPS allows the system to actively drop malicious packets based on signature matches and anomaly detection. Unlike passive monitoring, inline interfaces sit directly in the traffic path, enabling the IPS engine to enforce blocking actions in real time.
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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