The correct answer is to configure an identity source (AD), create a realm and user groups, then configure URL filtering rules with user conditions. This sequence is required because the Firepower Management Center must first establish a trust relationship with Active Directory to resolve user identity before it can apply URL category-based actions against specific users or groups. Without the realm and imported user groups, the FTD has no user context to match against the URL filtering rules, rendering the user conditions ineffective. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the dependency chain in identity-based policies—a common trap is attempting to create URL rules before the identity source is fully configured. Remember the mnemonic “I-R-U” for Identity source, Realm, then URL rules to lock in the correct order.
350-701 Network Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of network 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.
A company uses Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) managed by FMC. They want to enable URL filtering based on user identity from an Active Directory (AD) source. Which configuration steps are required on the FMC?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure an identity source (AD), create realm and user groups, then configure URL filtering rules with user conditions.
Option B is correct because to enable URL filtering based on user identity from Active Directory, you must first configure an identity source (AD) on the FMC, then create a realm and import user groups. After that, you can configure URL filtering rules within an access control policy that includes user conditions to match traffic against specific AD users or groups. This sequence ensures the FTD can resolve user identity before applying URL category-based actions.
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.
✗
Create a URL category and associate it with a user group in the access control policy.
Why it's wrong here
Identity source must be configured first, then URL categories, then associate user.
✓
Configure an identity source (AD), create realm and user groups, then configure URL filtering rules with user conditions.
Why this is correct
Standard workflow for identity-based URL filtering in FMC.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create URL filtering rules first, then assign to users via dynamic object.
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic objects come from identity source; must configure identity first.
✗
Configure identity source and NAT policy, then apply URL filtering.
Why it's wrong here
NAT policy is unrelated to identity-based URL filtering.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that you can directly associate URL categories with user groups in the access control policy without first configuring the identity source and realm, leading candidates to pick Option A.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, FMC uses the Identity Policy to integrate with Active Directory via LDAP or Kerberos, creating a realm that maps AD users to network traffic. The FTD then performs user identity lookup using Captive Portal or Passive Authentication (e.g., via NetBIOS or SMB) before the access control policy evaluates URL categories. In a real-world scenario, if the identity source is misconfigured or the realm is not properly synchronized, URL filtering rules with user conditions will fail to match, resulting in default-deny or bypass behavior.
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: Configure an identity source (AD), create realm and user groups, then configure URL filtering rules with user conditions. — Option B is correct because to enable URL filtering based on user identity from Active Directory, you must first configure an identity source (AD) on the FMC, then create a realm and import user groups. After that, you can configure URL filtering rules within an access control policy that includes user conditions to match traffic against specific AD users or groups. This sequence ensures the FTD can resolve user identity before applying URL category-based actions.
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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