Quick Answer
The correct answer is the transform set ESP-AES256 ESP-SHA256-HMAC, as this combination provides the strongest encryption and authentication available in an IPsec transform set. AES-256 is the most robust symmetric cipher supported by Cisco IOS, offering 256-bit key strength, while ESP-SHA256-HMAC delivers a 256-bit hash for integrity and data origin authentication, far exceeding older algorithms like SHA-1 or MD5. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this question tests your ability to select modern, secure transform sets for IKEv2-based site-to-site VPNs, a common scenario in enterprise security policies. A frequent trap is choosing ESP-AES256 ESP-SHA-HMAC, which uses the weaker SHA-1; remember that SHA-256 is the minimum for strong authentication in current Cisco recommendations. For a quick memory tip, think "256 squared"—AES256 for encryption and SHA256 for hashing—ensuring you pair the strongest cipher with the strongest hash.
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 wants to deploy a site-to-site VPN between two branch offices using Cisco IOS routers. The security policy requires that all traffic between the sites must be encrypted and authenticated using strong encryption. The engineer chooses IPsec with IKEv2. Which IPsec transform set configuration provides the strongest encryption and authentication?
transform-set ESP-AES128 ESP-SHA-HMAC
Why wrong: AES-128 is strong, but SHA-1 is weak; the strongest would use AES-256 and SHA-256.
transform-set ESP-AES256 ESP-SHA256-HMAC
AES-256 and SHA-256 provide strong encryption and authentication.
transform-set ESP-DES ESP-MD5-HMAC
Why wrong: DES and MD5 are considered weak and deprecated.
transform-set ESP-3DES ESP-SHA-HMAC
Why wrong: 3DES is being phased out, and SHA-1 is weak.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
transform-set ESP-AES256 ESP-SHA256-HMAC
Option B is correct because it specifies AES-256 encryption, which is the strongest symmetric cipher available in IPsec transform sets, combined with ESP-SHA256-HMAC for integrity and authentication. IKEv2 supports these modern algorithms, and this configuration meets the requirement for strong encryption and authentication.
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.
transform-set ESP-AES128 ESP-SHA-HMAC
Why it's wrong here
AES-128 is strong, but SHA-1 is weak; the strongest would use AES-256 and SHA-256.
transform-set ESP-AES256 ESP-SHA256-HMAC
Why this is correct
AES-256 and SHA-256 provide strong encryption and authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
transform-set ESP-DES ESP-MD5-HMAC
Why it's wrong here
DES and MD5 are considered weak and deprecated.
transform-set ESP-3DES ESP-SHA-HMAC
Why it's wrong here
3DES is being phased out, and SHA-1 is weak.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between ESP-SHA-HMAC (which implies SHA-1) and ESP-SHA256-HMAC (which implies SHA-256), leading candidates to mistakenly choose the weaker SHA-1 option when 'strongest' is required.
Detailed technical explanation
IPsec transform sets define the encryption and integrity algorithms applied to the data payload. AES-256 uses a 256-bit key in Galois/Counter Mode (GCM) or CBC mode, providing military-grade encryption. ESP-SHA256-HMAC uses HMAC with SHA-256 (256-bit hash) for data origin authentication and integrity, which is FIPS-compliant and resistant to collision attacks. In real-world deployments, using AES-256 with SHA-256 ensures compliance with standards like NIST SP 800-77 and protects against brute-force and hash collision threats.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 350-701 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: transform-set ESP-AES256 ESP-SHA256-HMAC — Option B is correct because it specifies AES-256 encryption, which is the strongest symmetric cipher available in IPsec transform sets, combined with ESP-SHA256-HMAC for integrity and authentication. IKEv2 supports these modern algorithms, and this configuration meets the requirement for strong encryption and authentication.
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 11, 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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