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200-901 Practice Question: A Python script uses the Cisco Meraki API to list…
A Python script uses the Cisco Meraki API to list networks in an organization. The API returns HTTP 403 Forbidden. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 401 Unauthorized (missing or invalid authentication credentials) and 403 Forbidden (authenticated but not authorized); the trap here is that candidates may confuse 403 with a missing parameter (like organization ID) or a wrong resource ID, but 403 specifically indicates the request was understood but authorization failed.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The API key is invalid or missing.
HTTP 403 Forbidden indicates the server understood the request but refuses to authorize it. In the context of the Meraki API, this almost always means the API key (X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key header) is invalid, expired, or missing from the request. Without a valid API key, the server cannot authenticate the client and returns 403.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The request was sent over HTTP instead of HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
Meraki API enforces HTTPS; HTTP requests may be redirected or fail with a different error.
- ✗
The network ID specified is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
An incorrect network ID would cause a 404 or a bad request, not 403.
- ✓
The API key is invalid or missing.
Why this is correct
The Meraki API returns 403 when the API key is invalid or not provided.
- ✗
The organization ID was omitted from the request.
Why it's wrong here
Missing organization ID typically results in a 400 Bad Request error.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-901 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 200-901 exam.