Quick Answer
The answer is LDAP and RADIUS. Cisco AnyConnect authentication relies on these two protocols because they provide centralized user verification against external identity stores, with RADIUS handling authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) for VPN sessions, while LDAP directly queries directory services like Active Directory for user credentials. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this concept tests your understanding of AAA integration with ASA or FTD appliances, often appearing in a multiple-select question where you must distinguish valid methods from options like local database or certificate-only authentication—a common trap is assuming LDAP is not supported for VPN authentication. Remember the memory tip: “RADIUS for AAA, LDAP for directory—both are valid for AnyConnect gateway.”
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 of the following are valid methods for authenticating VPN users in a Cisco AnyConnect deployment?
TACACS+
Why wrong: TACACS+ is for device administration, not VPN user authentication.
OSPF
Why wrong: OSPF is a routing protocol, not authentication.
RADIUS
RADIUS is commonly used for VPN authentication.
LDAP
LDAP can be used for direct authentication against directory services.
SNMP
Why wrong: SNMP is for network management, not authentication.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
RADIUS
Cisco AnyConnect VPN authentication can be performed using RADIUS, which is a widely supported AAA protocol. RADIUS enables centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting for VPN users, and it is natively integrated with Cisco ASA and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) appliances for remote access VPNs.
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.
TACACS+
OSPF
Why it's wrong here
OSPF is a routing protocol, not authentication.
RADIUS
LDAP
Why this is correct
LDAP can be used for direct authentication against directory services.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SNMP
Why it's wrong here
SNMP is for network management, not authentication.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between AAA protocols for device administration (TACACS+) versus user authentication (RADIUS/LDAP), and the trap here is that TACACS+ is a valid AAA protocol but is not used for VPN user authentication in AnyConnect.
Detailed technical explanation
RADIUS uses UDP ports 1812 (authentication) and 1813 (accounting), and it supports EAP extensions for multifactor authentication. LDAP (Option D) is also valid because AnyConnect can integrate with Microsoft Active Directory or other LDAP directories directly via the ASA's LDAP attribute map feature, allowing user authentication against an LDAP database without requiring a RADIUS intermediary. In real-world deployments, combining RADIUS with LDAP (e.g., using NPS or FreeRADIUS as a proxy) is common for centralized policy control.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
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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: RADIUS — Cisco AnyConnect VPN authentication can be performed using RADIUS, which is a widely supported AAA protocol. RADIUS enables centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting for VPN users, and it is natively integrated with Cisco ASA and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) appliances for remote access VPNs.
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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