- A
Use Spanning Tree Protocol with Private VLANs on all switches
Why wrong: PVLANs provide isolation within a VLAN but require careful configuration and do not prevent lateral movement across different PVLANs if not properly enforced; also STP does not block traffic at Layer 3.
- B
Deploy a full-mesh VPN between all departments to encrypt and restrict traffic
Why wrong: IPsec VPNs are not designed for internal segmentation, introduce overhead, and cannot inspect application-layer traffic.
- C
Implement internal firewall zones using a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with application inspection and user identity
An NGFW provides stateful, application-aware segmentation that can enforce micro-segmentation without IP changes and leverage existing VLAN trunking.
- D
Deploy VLANs for each department and apply ACLs on the core router to restrict inter-VLAN traffic
Why wrong: This would require IP re-addressing and the core router ACLs are stateless and harder to manage for application-layer threats.
Quick Answer
The answer is implementing internal firewall zones using a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with application inspection and user identity. This approach achieves network segmentation with NGFW zones for threat containment by enforcing granular, stateful traffic control between departments without altering the existing flat IP scheme or requiring new switching hardware, directly addressing the ransomware lateral movement risk. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that NGFW zones provide deep packet inspection and identity-based policies, whereas VLANs with ACLs are stateless and require subnet reconfiguration, and VPNs add unnecessary overhead. A common trap is assuming VLANs alone suffice, but they lack application-layer visibility to stop ransomware propagation. Remember the memory tip: “Zones inspect, VLANs deflect”—NGFW zones actively inspect traffic at Layers 4-7, while VLANs only isolate at Layer 2 without blocking malicious lateral moves.
350-701 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 financial institution with a flat Layer 2 network has experienced a ransomware incident where an infected workstation in the accounting department propagated laterally to a server in the finance department. The network spans 10 switches connected in a star topology with a collapsed core. The IT team wants to implement segmentation to contain such threats in the future, without requiring major hardware upgrades and with minimal change to IP addressing. The network currently uses a single VLAN with /16 subnet. Which of the following approaches would BEST achieve the segmentation goal, considering the constraints?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Implement internal firewall zones using a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with application inspection and user identity
Implementing internal firewall zones with a next-generation firewall provides granular, stateful inspection and application-level segmentation. It can filter traffic between departments without changing IP addressing and leverages existing switch infrastructure. VLANs with ACLs on the edge router are stateless and can be bypassed; also they require reconfiguring IP addressing if VLANs are separate subnets, and ACLs on a core router do not provide the depth of inspection needed. Deploying a VPN for all internal traffic is not scalable and adds latency. Using STP and PVLANs on switches can provide some isolation but does not prevent lateral movement at higher layers and is complex to manage across multiple switches without a fabric. Option B is the most effective given the constraints.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use Spanning Tree Protocol with Private VLANs on all switches
- ✗
Deploy a full-mesh VPN between all departments to encrypt and restrict traffic
Why it's wrong here
IPsec VPNs are not designed for internal segmentation, introduce overhead, and cannot inspect application-layer traffic.
- ✓
Implement internal firewall zones using a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with application inspection and user identity
Why this is correct
An NGFW provides stateful, application-aware segmentation that can enforce micro-segmentation without IP changes and leverage existing VLAN trunking.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
Deploy VLANs for each department and apply ACLs on the core router to restrict inter-VLAN traffic
Why it's wrong here
This would require IP re-addressing and the core router ACLs are stateless and harder to manage for application-layer threats.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-701 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
- →
Security Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Security Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 350-701 questions
500 questions across all exam domains
- →
Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
350-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 350-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Endpoint Protection and Detection practice questions
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Endpoint Protection and Detection.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement practice questions
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement.
Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Security Concepts.
Network Security practice questions
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Network Security.
Cloud Security practice questions
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Cloud Security.
Content Security practice questions
Practise 350-701 questions linked to Content Security.
350-701 fundamentals practice questions
Practise 350-701 questions linked to 350-701 fundamentals.
350-701 scenario practice questions
Practise 350-701 questions linked to 350-701 scenario.
350-701 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise 350-701 questions linked to 350-701 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free 350-701 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-701 question test?
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement internal firewall zones using a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with application inspection and user identity — Implementing internal firewall zones with a next-generation firewall provides granular, stateful inspection and application-level segmentation. It can filter traffic between departments without changing IP addressing and leverages existing switch infrastructure. VLANs with ACLs on the edge router are stateless and can be bypassed; also they require reconfiguring IP addressing if VLANs are separate subnets, and ACLs on a core router do not provide the depth of inspection needed. Deploying a VPN for all internal traffic is not scalable and adds latency. Using STP and PVLANs on switches can provide some isolation but does not prevent lateral movement at higher layers and is complex to manage across multiple switches without a fabric. Option B is the most effective given the constraints.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-701 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.