Quick Answer
The answer is DNS-layer security, IP-layer enforcement, and application control. Cisco Umbrella’s DNS-layer security acts as the first line of defense by inspecting every DNS query and blocking connections to malicious domains before they reach the user, effectively preventing malware, phishing, and command-and-control callbacks. IP-layer enforcement complements this by applying policies based on destination IP addresses, catching threats that bypass DNS resolution, such as direct IP connections. Application control adds granularity by allowing administrators to permit or block specific cloud applications at the DNS level, preventing data exfiltration and unauthorized usage. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this question tests your understanding of Umbrella’s multi-layered protection model; a common trap is confusing IP-layer enforcement with DNS-layer security or overlooking application control as a DNS-based feature. Remember the mnemonic “DIA” — DNS-layer, IP-layer, Application control — to recall the three pillars of Umbrella’s DNS security.
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 features are available in Cisco Umbrella to protect against DNS-based threats? (Choose three.)
IP-layer enforcement
Blocks traffic to malicious IP addresses.
Application control
Can block specific applications via DNS.
DNS-layer security
Blocks requests to malicious domains.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Why wrong: DLP is not a DNS-based feature.
Anti-virus scanning
Why wrong: Anti-virus is not DNS-based.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
IP-layer enforcement
Cisco Umbrella provides DNS-layer security (option C) as its core function, intercepting DNS queries to block requests to malicious domains before a connection is established. IP-layer enforcement (option A) extends protection by applying policies based on the destination IP address, blocking traffic to known malicious IPs even if DNS resolution is bypassed. Application control (option B) allows administrators to permit or block specific cloud applications (e.g., Dropbox, Facebook) at the DNS level, preventing data exfiltration or unauthorized usage through DNS-based application identification.
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.
IP-layer enforcement
Why this is correct
Blocks traffic to malicious IP addresses.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Application control
Why this is correct
Can block specific applications via DNS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
DNS-layer security
Why this is correct
Blocks requests to malicious domains.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Why it's wrong here
DLP is not a DNS-based feature.
Anti-virus scanning
Why it's wrong here
Anti-virus is not DNS-based.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between DNS-layer security (which blocks at the query level) and IP-layer enforcement (which blocks at the network layer), and candidates mistakenly think DLP or anti-virus are part of Umbrella because they confuse it with other Cisco security products like WSA or Secure Endpoint.
Detailed technical explanation
Cisco Umbrella operates as a recursive DNS resolver, using the OpenDNS global network to enforce security policies. When a client makes a DNS query, Umbrella evaluates the domain against its threat intelligence (e.g., Cisco Talos) and can return a sinkhole IP (e.g., 146.112.61.106) for blocked domains, preventing any TCP/UDP connection to the malicious host. IP-layer enforcement uses a separate enforcement IP (e.g., 208.67.222.222) to block traffic at the network layer, useful for non-DNS protocols like HTTP/HTTPS where the IP is known but the domain is not resolved via Umbrella.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Content Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Content Security — This question tests Content Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: IP-layer enforcement — Cisco Umbrella provides DNS-layer security (option C) as its core function, intercepting DNS queries to block requests to malicious domains before a connection is established. IP-layer enforcement (option A) extends protection by applying policies based on the destination IP address, blocking traffic to known malicious IPs even if DNS resolution is bypassed. Application control (option B) allows administrators to permit or block specific cloud applications (e.g., Dropbox, Facebook) at the DNS level, preventing data exfiltration or unauthorized usage through DNS-based application identification.
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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