Quick Answer
The answer is HTTPS with a valid certificate. This protocol ensures secure credential transmission for a guest portal by encrypting the entire session between the client browser and the portal server, preventing any interception of the self-provisioned username and password in cleartext. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of where encryption must be applied in a guest access deployment—specifically, that the portal-to-client link requires HTTPS, while protocols like RADIUS over TLS secure the backend communication between the NAS and ISE. A common trap is confusing the portal encryption with backend RADIUS security or assuming HTTP is acceptable for a guest portal. Remember the key distinction: the guest portal is user-facing, so it must enforce HTTPS directly; backend protocols are separate. A helpful memory tip is “Portal = Public, so HTTPS must be present.”
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of secure network access, visibility and enforcement. 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.
An engineer is deploying Cisco ISE for guest access. The guest portal uses a self-provisioned username and password. To ensure secure credential transmission, which protocol should be enforced on the portal?
DNSSEC
Why wrong: Provides DNS authentication, not encryption.
RADIUS over TLS
Why wrong: Used between NAS and ISE, not client to portal.
HTTPS with a valid certificate
Encrypts credentials between client and portal.
HTTP with redirect to captive portal
Why wrong: HTTP transmits credentials in cleartext.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
HTTPS with a valid certificate
Option A is correct because HTTPS with a valid certificate encrypts the credential transmission between the client and the portal. Option B is incorrect because HTTP transmits credentials in cleartext. Option C is incorrect because RADIUS over TLS is used between the NAS and ISE, not between the client and portal. Option D is incorrect because DNSSEC does not encrypt traffic.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
DNSSEC
Why it's wrong here
Provides DNS authentication, not encryption.
RADIUS over TLS
Why it's wrong here
Used between NAS and ISE, not client to portal.
HTTPS with a valid certificate
Why this is correct
Encrypts credentials between client and portal.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
HTTP with redirect to captive portal
Why it's wrong here
HTTP transmits credentials in cleartext.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-701 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — study guide chapter
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Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement practice questions
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FAQ
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: HTTPS with a valid certificate — Option A is correct because HTTPS with a valid certificate encrypts the credential transmission between the client and the portal. Option B is incorrect because HTTP transmits credentials in cleartext. Option C is incorrect because RADIUS over TLS is used between the NAS and ISE, not between the client and portal. Option D is incorrect because DNSSEC does not encrypt traffic.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-701 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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