The answer is that the Cisco ESA was configured with the 'Deliver then alert' option for malware detected by AMP. This setting causes the ESA to release the email to the user immediately after sending the attachment to AMP for file reputation analysis, rather than waiting for the verdict. As a result, the user receives the file—such as invoice_2024.exe—before AMP completes its analysis and determines it is malicious, which explains why the administrator sees the block in both logs while the user claims delivery. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the ESA-AMP integration workflow and the critical difference between 'Deliver then alert' and the default 'Deliver and hold' or 'Block' actions. A common trap is assuming that a block in AMP logs guarantees the email was never delivered, but the 'Deliver then alert' policy creates this exact discrepancy. Memory tip: think "Deliver first, regret later"—the email lands in the inbox before the verdict arrives.
350-701 Content Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of content 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Malware Event: 2024-03-15 10:23:45 UTC
File Name: invoice_2024.exe
SHA256: a1b2c3d4e5f6...
Score: 100 (Cisco AMP)
Disposition: Malicious
Syslog from ESA:
Mar 15 10:23:45 mail.esa.cisco.com CEF:0|Cisco|Email Security Appliance|13.0|ESA|EMAIL_MALWARE|5|act=blocked dvc=10.1.1.10 dst=192.168.1.100 msg=Attachment blocked: invoice_2024.exe cn1Label=AMP Verdict cn1=100 cs4Label=File SHA256 cs4=a1b2c3d4e5f6...
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator sees that the file invoice_2024.exe was blocked by both Cisco AMP and ESA. However, a user claims the attachment was delivered. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The ESA was configured to 'Deliver then alert' for malware detected by AMP.
Option B is correct because when Cisco ESA is configured with 'Deliver then alert' for malware detected by AMP, the email is delivered to the user before the AMP file reputation analysis completes. The ESA sends the file to AMP for analysis, but if the policy is set to deliver first and alert later, the user receives the attachment even if AMP later determines it is malicious. This explains why the administrator sees the block in both AMP and ESA logs, yet the user claims delivery.
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.
✗
The ESA was not configured to use AMP for file reputation.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows AMP verdict, so it was configured.
✓
The ESA was configured to 'Deliver then alert' for malware detected by AMP.
Why this is correct
In 'Deliver then alert' mode, the email is delivered and an alert is sent, explaining why the user received it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The AMP file reputation check was not performed due to an ACL misconfiguration.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows AMP verdict 100, so the check was performed.
✗
The file was whitelisted in the AMP policy.
Why it's wrong here
A score of 100 indicates malicious, not whitelisted.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'Deliver then alert' and 'Block' or 'Deliver and alert' modes in ESA AMP integration, where candidates mistakenly assume that a block in AMP logs means the file was never delivered, but the 'Deliver then alert' policy allows delivery before the block verdict is received.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The exhibit shows AMP verdict, so it was configured.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco ESA uses the SMTP protocol to deliver messages and can be configured with a 'Deliver then alert' policy for AMP file reputation, which allows the email to be delivered immediately while the file is sent to the AMP cloud for analysis. If AMP later determines the file is malicious, the ESA generates an alert but cannot recall the already-delivered email. This behavior is distinct from 'Block' or 'Deliver and alert' modes, and is often used to avoid delaying legitimate email delivery at the cost of potential exposure to malware.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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.
Content Security — This question tests Content Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The ESA was configured to 'Deliver then alert' for malware detected by AMP. — Option B is correct because when Cisco ESA is configured with 'Deliver then alert' for malware detected by AMP, the email is delivered to the user before the AMP file reputation analysis completes. The ESA sends the file to AMP for analysis, but if the policy is set to deliver first and alert later, the user receives the attachment even if AMP later determines it is malicious. This explains why the administrator sees the block in both AMP and ESA logs, yet the user claims delivery.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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