- A
Install a next-generation firewall at the internet edge and enable IPS.
Why wrong: This protects inbound threats but does not prevent an attacker already inside from moving laterally.
- B
Upgrade all access switches to support Private VLANs (PVLANs).
Why wrong: PVLANs can isolate ports, but they add administrative overhead and do not provide identity-based policy control like TrustSec.
- C
Deploy 802.1X with dynamic VLAN assignment across all wired ports.
Why wrong: While it segments users into VLANs, intra-VLAN traffic is still allowed, enabling lateral movement within the same VLAN.
- D
Implement micro-segmentation using Cisco TrustSec with SGTs and enforce policies on firewalls.
SGTs allow traffic control based on group identity, preventing lateral movement even within the same subnet, and leverages existing ISE.
Quick Answer
The answer is Option B, implementing micro-segmentation using Cisco TrustSec with Security Group Tags (SGTs) and enforcing policies on firewalls, because this directly addresses the need to prevent lateral movement by controlling traffic based on identity rather than IP address. TrustSec assigns SGTs to endpoints at Layer 2, allowing granular policies that restrict communication between user groups and servers even within the same VLAN, effectively containing an attacker after initial compromise. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how TrustSec leverages an existing Cisco ISE deployment for policy-based segmentation without requiring major topology changes, contrasting with less effective options like 802.1X VLAN assignment or PVLANs. A common trap is choosing 802.1X because it authenticates users, but it still relies on IP-based VLANs that fail to block lateral moves within a subnet. Remember the memory tip: “Tags beat VLANs” — SGTs follow the traffic, not the IP, making TrustSec the only solution that truly micro-segments at Layer 2.
350-701 Security Concepts Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. 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 large enterprise with over 2,000 employees recently experienced a security breach. An attacker gained initial access through a phishing email and then moved laterally across the network to reach a critical database server. The network currently has a flat Layer 2 topology with all devices in a single large VLAN. The company wants to prevent lateral movement in the future while maintaining operational simplicity. They have a Cisco ISE deployment already but it is only used for wireless guest access. The security team is evaluating options. Option A: Deploy 802.1X with dynamic VLAN assignment across all wired ports. This would authenticate users and assign them to different VLANs based on identity. Option B: Implement micro-segmentation using Cisco TrustSec with Security Group Tags (SGTs) on the existing switches and enforce SGT-based policies on the firewalls. This would allow traffic control between groups regardless of IP. Option C: Install a next-generation firewall at the internet edge and enable IPS to block known attack signatures. Option D: Upgrade all access switches to support Private VLANs (PVLANs) and configure promiscuous ports for servers. Which solution BEST addresses the lateral movement problem while leveraging existing infrastructure?
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 micro-segmentation using Cisco TrustSec with SGTs and enforce policies on firewalls.
Option D is correct because Cisco TrustSec with Security Group Tags (SGTs) enables micro-segmentation at Layer 2, allowing traffic control between user groups and servers based on identity rather than IP address. This directly prevents lateral movement by enforcing policies that restrict which endpoints can communicate, even within the same VLAN, and it leverages the existing Cisco ISE deployment for policy management without requiring major topology changes.
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.
- ✗
Install a next-generation firewall at the internet edge and enable IPS.
Why it's wrong here
This protects inbound threats but does not prevent an attacker already inside from moving laterally.
- ✗
Upgrade all access switches to support Private VLANs (PVLANs).
Why it's wrong here
PVLANs can isolate ports, but they add administrative overhead and do not provide identity-based policy control like TrustSec.
- ✗
Deploy 802.1X with dynamic VLAN assignment across all wired ports.
Why it's wrong here
While it segments users into VLANs, intra-VLAN traffic is still allowed, enabling lateral movement within the same VLAN.
- ✓
Implement micro-segmentation using Cisco TrustSec with SGTs and enforce policies on firewalls.
Why this is correct
SGTs allow traffic control based on group identity, preventing lateral movement even within the same subnet, and leverages existing ISE.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
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 distinction between network segmentation (VLANs/802.1X) and micro-segmentation (TrustSec/SGTs), where the trap is that candidates assume VLAN-based isolation is sufficient to prevent lateral movement, but it fails when an attacker compromises a device within the same VLAN or when VLAN hopping is possible.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco TrustSec uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) propagated via SXP (SGT Exchange Protocol) or inline tagging in the Ethernet header (Cisco proprietary), allowing policies to be enforced on firewalls or switches based on SGT rather than IP address. This is particularly effective in flat Layer 2 networks because SGT-based policies are enforced at the access layer or at aggregation points, stopping lateral movement even when devices share the same VLAN and subnet. In a real-world scenario, an attacker who phishes a user in the 'Employees' SGT would be blocked from reaching the 'Database Servers' SGT, regardless of IP address, because the firewall or switch enforces the policy based on the SGT tag.
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Security Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Security Concepts practice questions
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Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 study guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-701 question test?
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement micro-segmentation using Cisco TrustSec with SGTs and enforce policies on firewalls. — Option D is correct because Cisco TrustSec with Security Group Tags (SGTs) enables micro-segmentation at Layer 2, allowing traffic control between user groups and servers based on identity rather than IP address. This directly prevents lateral movement by enforcing policies that restrict which endpoints can communicate, even within the same VLAN, and it leverages the existing Cisco ISE deployment for policy management without requiring major topology changes.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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