The answer is implementing role-based access control (RBAC) on network devices and using Cisco TrustSec with Security Group Tags (SGTs) to enforce least privilege within a network infrastructure. RBAC restricts administrative access by assigning permissions based on user roles, ensuring that operators only have the commands necessary for their duties. Cisco TrustSec takes this further by classifying traffic based on identity rather than IP addresses, using SGTs to create security group policies that permit or deny communication between endpoints, thereby enforcing least privilege at the data plane level. On the Cisco SCOR 350-701 exam, this topic tests your understanding of policy-based access control and segmentation, often appearing in questions about reducing attack surfaces or controlling east-west traffic. A common trap is confusing ACLs with identity-based policies—remember that TrustSec decouples policy from IP topology. Memory tip: think “RBAC for admins, SGTs for traffic” to pair the two enforcement methods.
350-701 Security Concepts Practice Question
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 TWO methods can be used to enforce least privilege within a network infrastructure? (Choose two.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Cisco TrustSec with SGTs and security group policies.
Cisco TrustSec uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) to classify traffic based on user or device identity, not just IP addresses. Security group policies then enforce least privilege by allowing or denying communication between SGTs, ensuring that only necessary traffic flows between endpoints.
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.
✓
Use Cisco TrustSec with SGTs and security group policies.
Why this is correct
SGTs enforce access based on group membership.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use a single administrator account with full privileges for all IT staff.
Why it's wrong here
Violates least privilege by granting too much access.
✗
Place all users in the same VLAN without ACLs.
Why it's wrong here
Provides no access control.
✗
Configure source NAT on the firewall to hide internal addresses.
Implement role-based access control (RBAC) on network devices.
Why this is correct
RBAC restricts commands based on role.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" 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 misconception that NAT or VLAN segmentation alone enforces least privilege, when in fact they lack identity-based or role-based access control required for true least privilege.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RBAC on network devices (Option E) restricts administrative commands to specific roles, such as 'network-admin' or 'auditor', using privilege levels or TACACS+/RADIUS attribute-value pairs. Cisco TrustSec (Option A) uses SGTs propagated via SXP or inline tagging (e.g., 802.1AE MACsec) to enforce micro-segmentation, allowing dynamic policy changes without re-IP addressing. In a real-world scenario, a hospital might use TrustSec to allow only nurse workstations to access patient records while blocking all other traffic, even within the same subnet.
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.
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: Use Cisco TrustSec with SGTs and security group policies. — Cisco TrustSec uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) to classify traffic based on user or device identity, not just IP addresses. Security group policies then enforce least privilege by allowing or denying communication between SGTs, ensuring that only necessary traffic flows between endpoints.
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: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which security principle ensures that a user or system is granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform a specific function?
easy
A.Need-to-know
✓ B.Least privilege
C.Separation of duties
D.Defense in depth
Why B: The principle of least privilege dictates that a user, process, or system should be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform a specific function. In Cisco security contexts, this is enforced through features like Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) on Cisco IOS devices, where privilege levels (0-15) are assigned to restrict command access, or via TrustSec Security Group Tags (SGTs) that limit traffic flows to only required resources.
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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.
Question Discussion
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