The answer is the Cisco Cloud Scanning Center, the On-Premises Connector appliance, and the Cisco CWS portal. These three components form the core of a Cisco Cloud Web Security deployment with on-premises connectors because the on-premises connector acts as a local proxy that forwards user web traffic to the Cisco Cloud Scanning Center for real-time threat inspection, while the CWS portal provides the centralized management and policy configuration interface. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this question tests your understanding of hybrid cloud security architectures, specifically how on-premises appliances bridge local traffic to cloud-based scanning without requiring full traffic redirection. A common trap is confusing the Cisco Cloud Scanning Center with the Cisco Umbrella cloud or assuming the connector itself performs the scanning—it does not; it only forwards traffic. Memory tip: think of the three as "Send, Scan, and Manage"—the Connector sends traffic, the Scanning Center scans it, and the Portal manages it all.
350-701 Content Security Practice Question
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of content security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which THREE components are part of a Cisco Cloud Web Security (CWS) deployment with on-premises connectors? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
On-premises Connector appliance
The On-premises Connector appliance (option B) is a core component of a Cisco CWS deployment with on-premises connectors. It acts as a local proxy that forwards web traffic from users to the Cisco Cloud Scanning Center for threat inspection, while also caching content locally to reduce latency. This appliance integrates with existing network infrastructure to enable cloud-based web security without requiring full traffic redirection to the cloud.
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.
✗
Cisco ASA firewall as the forward proxy
Why it's wrong here
An ASA is not mandatory; any device that can redirect traffic to the connector works.
✓
On-premises Connector appliance
Why this is correct
The Connector sends traffic to the cloud scanning center.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Cloud-based policy management portal
Why this is correct
Policies are centrally managed via a web interface.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA)
Why it's wrong here
WSA is an on-premises web proxy, not part of the CWS cloud.
✓
Cisco Cloud Scanning Center
Why this is correct
This is where security filtering occurs in the cloud.
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 the On-premises Connector appliance and the Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA), as candidates may confuse the cloud-based CWS connector with the fully on-premises WSA solution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The On-premises Connector appliance uses a forward proxy model where it receives HTTP/HTTPS requests from clients, then forwards them to the Cisco Cloud Scanning Center (CSC) for policy enforcement and threat analysis. The connector can also cache frequently accessed content locally to improve performance, and it supports active authentication via Kerberos or NTLM to identify users. In a real-world deployment, the connector is typically placed in a DMZ or at the network edge, and it communicates with the CSC over TLS-encrypted tunnels using proprietary protocols.
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 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
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: On-premises Connector appliance — The On-premises Connector appliance (option B) is a core component of a Cisco CWS deployment with on-premises connectors. It acts as a local proxy that forwards web traffic from users to the Cisco Cloud Scanning Center for threat inspection, while also caching content locally to reduce latency. This appliance integrates with existing network infrastructure to enable cloud-based web security without requiring full traffic redirection to the cloud.
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.
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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