This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of security concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 of the following are components of Cisco TrustSec?
802.1X
Why wrong: 802.1X is a port-based authentication protocol, not a TrustSec component.
Security Group Tag (SGT)
SGTs carry group membership information in packets.
Security Group Access Control List (SGACL)
SGACLs enforce policies based on SGTs.
MACsec
Why wrong: MACsec is a Layer 2 encryption standard, not part of TrustSec.
IPsec
Why wrong: IPsec is a Layer 3 VPN technology, unrelated to TrustSec.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Security Group Tag (SGT)
Cisco TrustSec uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) to classify traffic based on identity and enforce access control policies. SGTs are 16-bit values assigned to users or devices, and they are carried in the packet header (e.g., via Cisco Metadata or inline tagging) to allow policy enforcement at the network layer.
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.
802.1X
Why it's wrong here
802.1X is a port-based authentication protocol, not a TrustSec component.
Security Group Tag (SGT)
Why this is correct
SGTs carry group membership information in packets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Security Group Access Control List (SGACL)
Why this is correct
SGACLs enforce policies based on SGTs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
MACsec
Why it's wrong here
MACsec is a Layer 2 encryption standard, not part of TrustSec.
IPsec
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between authentication/encryption protocols (802.1X, MACsec, IPsec) and the actual policy enforcement components (SGT and SGACL) of TrustSec, leading candidates to select 802.1X or MACsec as TrustSec components when they are merely supporting technologies.
Detailed technical explanation
TrustSec operates by assigning an SGT to each endpoint after authentication (e.g., via 802.1X or MAB), then using Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs) to enforce policies based on source and destination SGTs. The SGT can be carried in the packet using Cisco's proprietary metadata (e.g., via CMD or inline tagging in the Ethernet header), allowing policy enforcement even across Layer 2 or Layer 3 boundaries without requiring IP address-based ACLs.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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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: Security Group Tag (SGT) — Cisco TrustSec uses Security Group Tags (SGTs) to classify traffic based on identity and enforce access control policies. SGTs are 16-bit values assigned to users or devices, and they are carried in the packet header (e.g., via Cisco Metadata or inline tagging) to allow policy enforcement at the network layer.
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 25, 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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