Quick Answer
The answer is least privilege access, as it is one of the three core principles of the Cisco Zero Trust security model, alongside never trust, always verify and assume breach. This principle restricts user and device permissions to the absolute minimum necessary to perform their functions, thereby limiting the blast radius of any potential compromise. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how Zero Trust eliminates implicit trust by enforcing granular, policy-based access controls for every resource request, regardless of network location. A common trap is confusing least privilege with network segmentation; remember that least privilege focuses on identity and device-based access rights, not just network zones. For a quick memory tip, think of the acronym LAB: Least privilege, Always verify, and Assume breach—the three pillars that define the Cisco Zero Trust architecture.
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. 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 of the following are key principles of the Cisco Zero Trust security model?
Never trust, always verify
Core principle of zero trust.
Continuous monitoring and validation
Constant verification of trust is essential.
Implicit trust for internal traffic
Why wrong: Zero trust eliminates implicit trust.
Perimeter-based security
Why wrong: Zero trust moves beyond perimeter-based models.
Least privilege access
Users and devices get only minimum required access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Never trust, always verify
Option A is correct because 'Never trust, always verify' is the foundational principle of the Cisco Zero Trust security model, which mandates that no user, device, or network segment is trusted by default, regardless of its location relative to the network perimeter. This principle eliminates implicit trust and requires authentication and authorization for every access request, aligning with the Zero Trust architecture defined in NIST SP 800-207.
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.
Never trust, always verify
Why this is correct
Core principle of zero trust.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Continuous monitoring and validation
Why this is correct
Constant verification of trust is essential.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Implicit trust for internal traffic
Why it's wrong here
Zero trust eliminates implicit trust.
Perimeter-based security
Why it's wrong here
Zero trust moves beyond perimeter-based models.
Least privilege access
Why this is correct
Users and devices get only minimum required access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that Zero Trust still allows implicit trust for internal traffic or relies on a strong perimeter, when in fact the model explicitly removes all location-based trust and requires continuous verification for every access attempt.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, Cisco Zero Trust leverages Software-Defined Segmentation (SDS) via Cisco TrustSec or SD-Access to enforce micro-segmentation, using Security Group Tags (SGTs) to control traffic flows between workloads regardless of IP addresses. In a real-world scenario, a compromised internal device cannot laterally move to a sensitive database because every packet is validated against a policy, even within the same VLAN, using Cisco ISE for continuous posture assessment.
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
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Security Concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security Concepts — This question tests Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Never trust, always verify — Option A is correct because 'Never trust, always verify' is the foundational principle of the Cisco Zero Trust security model, which mandates that no user, device, or network segment is trusted by default, regardless of its location relative to the network perimeter. This principle eliminates implicit trust and requires authentication and authorization for every access request, aligning with the Zero Trust architecture defined in NIST SP 800-207.
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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