Cisco 300-710 Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (300-710 SNCF) Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 2 Q16-30
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Question 16
Which feature in Cisco Firepower allows administrators to limit the rate of traffic from specific IP addresses to prevent denial-of-service attacks?
A) Security Intelligence
B) Traffic Shaping Policy
C) Snort
D) Access Control Policy
Answer: B) Traffic Shaping Policy
Explanation:
Traffic Shaping Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense is used to control the flow of network traffic by limiting the bandwidth allocated to certain types of traffic or specific IP addresses. This feature is essential for preventing network congestion and mitigating denial-of-service attacks where a host or multiple hosts flood the network with excessive traffic. Traffic Shaping Policy allows administrators to define bandwidth limits, prioritize critical traffic, and set maximum or minimum traffic rates, ensuring that legitimate traffic is not disrupted by malicious or misconfigured sources. By applying rate limiting to specific IPs, applications, or interfaces, the network can remain stable and responsive, even under heavy load or attack conditions.
Security Intelligence uses threat intelligence feeds to block or allow traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, URLs, or domains. It helps prevent access to known malicious sources and can mitigate attacks originating from compromised systems. While it can block harmful IPs, Security Intelligence does not inherently control the rate of traffic. It focuses on dynamic threat mitigation rather than traffic management, which is why it cannot serve as a tool for preventing congestion caused by high traffic volumes.
Snort is an intrusion detection and prevention engine that analyzes network traffic for known exploit signatures and anomalies. It detects attacks, generates alerts, and can block malicious traffic in real-time. Although Snort can prevent specific attacks, it is not designed to limit the volume or rate of traffic from a particular IP address. Snort focuses on security detection rather than traffic flow management, so it cannot be used as a rate-limiting solution.
Access Control Policy defines rules to allow, block, inspect, or trust traffic between different network zones or segments. It is used to enforce security policies based on IPs, protocols, ports, or applications. While Access Control Policy can deny traffic from malicious sources, it does not provide granular control over the rate at which traffic is sent or received. Policies in Access Control primarily affect the permission and inspection of traffic, not its bandwidth allocation or throttling.
Traffic Shaping Policy is therefore the correct choice because it is explicitly designed to manage network bandwidth and traffic flow. By limiting traffic rates, administrators can prevent individual hosts or groups from consuming excessive bandwidth and potentially degrading the network for others. Traffic Shaping Policy is often used in combination with other security measures, such as Access Control Policies or Security Intelligence, to provide both protection against threats and efficient utilization of network resources. This ensures a balance between security, performance, and operational stability. Proper implementation of Traffic Shaping Policy allows networks to sustain critical services during high traffic periods or distributed denial-of-service attacks while minimizing disruption to legitimate users. It is a proactive measure that complements other security and traffic management features in Cisco Firepower, making it the correct answer for limiting traffic rates from specific IP addresses to prevent DoS attacks.
Question 17
Which FTD inspection engine can detect and block command-and-control traffic in real time?
A) Snort
B) URL Filtering
C) Security Intelligence
D) File Policy
Answer: C) Security Intelligence
Explanation:
Security Intelligence in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense is a feature that provides the capability to detect and block command-and-control traffic in real time. Command-and-control traffic is generated when compromised devices communicate with external servers controlled by attackers to receive instructions, exfiltrate data, or download malware. Security Intelligence uses dynamic threat intelligence feeds that include IP addresses, domains, and URLs associated with known command-and-control infrastructures. By automatically updating the block lists and integrating with Access Control Policies, Security Intelligence can immediately prevent infected devices from communicating with malicious servers, stopping potential attacks and malware propagation before they escalate. This feature is critical for mitigating advanced persistent threats that rely on C2 channels to maintain control over compromised hosts.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that analyzes traffic for known exploit signatures, malware patterns, or abnormal behaviors. While Snort can detect certain communication patterns indicative of attacks, it relies on predefined rules and does not inherently maintain dynamic lists of known command-and-control servers. Its strength lies in detecting exploit attempts or anomalies rather than blocking communication based on reputation. Therefore, Snort alone cannot provide real-time blocking of C2 traffic without additional configuration or threat intelligence integration.
URL Filtering controls access to websites by categorizing them according to content or reputation. It can prevent users from visiting malicious or inappropriate domains and can block access to certain categories of websites. While URL Filtering can block C2 domains if they appear in the category database, it is not specifically designed to track command-and-control traffic in real time or dynamically update based on intelligence feeds. Its primary function is content control, not active malware or threat mitigation.
File Policy inspects files transmitted over protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, or FTP for malware. While it is critical for identifying and quarantining malicious files, File Policy does not monitor or block ongoing network communication with command-and-control servers. Its focus is on file content rather than network connections or reputation-based threats.
Security Intelligence is uniquely suited for detecting and blocking C2 traffic because it combines reputation-based data with dynamic policy enforcement. Administrators can configure Security Intelligence to automatically deny connections to known malicious hosts, preventing infected devices from completing their instructions. By continuously updating threat feeds, Security Intelligence ensures that protection remains current against evolving threats. This proactive approach mitigates the risk of data exfiltration, malware propagation, and coordinated attacks. Real-time enforcement of threat intelligence allows organizations to isolate compromised endpoints and prevent further compromise, making Security Intelligence the correct choice for detecting and blocking command-and-control traffic.
Question 18
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides centralized logging and correlation of security events?
A) Snort
B) Firepower Management Center
C) Security Intelligence
D) Access Control Policy
Answer: B) Firepower Management Center
Explanation:
Firepower Management Center (FMC) provides centralized logging, event correlation, and management for Cisco Firepower Threat Defense devices. FMC collects logs from multiple FTD devices, including intrusion alerts from Snort, URL filtering events, malware detection alerts, and Security Intelligence actions. It then normalizes and correlates these events to provide comprehensive insight into network security posture. Administrators can create dashboards, reports, and alerts to monitor activity, detect trends, and respond to incidents in real time. FMC enables policy deployment across multiple devices, ensuring consistent enforcement of security rules and centralized visibility into all security events.
Snort is an engine used for intrusion detection and prevention, inspecting network traffic for known exploit signatures. While Snort generates alerts and logs for detected threats, it does not provide centralized management or correlation across multiple devices. Snort’s logs must be aggregated and analyzed by a management system to gain holistic visibility.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on IP or URL reputation. While it generates logs when traffic is blocked or allowed based on reputation, it does not provide centralized event correlation or management. Its purpose is threat prevention rather than centralized logging and analysis.
Access Control Policy defines how traffic is treated between zones, specifying actions such as allow, block, inspect, or trust. While it contributes to generating events and logs when traffic matches rules, it is not a system for centralizing logs, correlating events, or providing dashboards. Access Control Policy must be combined with FMC to achieve centralized security event management.
Firepower Management Center is essential for consolidating logs, correlating events, generating reports, and enforcing consistent policies across multiple devices. It serves as the nerve center for Cisco Firepower deployments, enabling proactive threat detection, compliance auditing, and operational oversight. FMC aggregates data from different FTD devices and engines, allowing administrators to identify patterns, investigate incidents, and make informed decisions. Its centralized approach improves response times and ensures that organizations maintain a comprehensive security posture. Therefore, Firepower Management Center is the correct answer for providing centralized logging and correlation of security events.
Question 19
Which Cisco Firepower feature can enforce policies based on applications rather than just ports and protocols?
A) Access Control Policy
B) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: B) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Explanation:
Application Visibility and Control (AVC) in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense allows administrators to enforce security policies based on the specific applications being used rather than simply relying on traditional ports and protocols. AVC identifies applications using deep packet inspection and contextual analysis, taking into account application behavior, signatures, and protocol anomalies. Many modern applications use dynamic or non-standard ports, which makes traditional port-based rules insufficient for granular control. AVC provides the ability to allow, block, or prioritize traffic based on the actual application, such as social media platforms, VoIP services, collaboration tools, or file-sharing applications.
Access Control Policy provides a framework for handling traffic by specifying actions such as allow, block, inspect, or trust. It governs how traffic between zones or interfaces is processed, but it does not inherently identify the applications running within that traffic. Without AVC, Access Control Policy relies on ports and IP addresses, which may not accurately reflect the applications being used, especially in environments with tunneling, encryption, or non-standard port assignments.
URL Filtering is focused on controlling access to websites based on content category or reputation. While URL Filtering can restrict access to web-based applications or domains, it is not designed to identify or enforce policies on non-web applications or protocols. It cannot provide deep visibility into application usage beyond web traffic.
Security Intelligence uses threat reputation to block or allow traffic from known malicious IP addresses or domains. While effective in preventing communication with compromised hosts, it does not identify applications or enforce policies based on application type. Security Intelligence is primarily concerned with threat mitigation rather than granular application control.
AVC allows administrators to gain comprehensive visibility into the applications traversing the network and apply granular policies based on risk, compliance, or business requirements. For example, organizations may allow business-critical collaboration tools while restricting or throttling recreational applications. AVC integrates with Access Control Policies to enforce decisions based on application identification, ensuring that policies reflect actual usage rather than relying solely on ports or IP addresses. By providing both visibility and control, AVC helps organizations optimize bandwidth, enforce security, and improve compliance. Its ability to analyze traffic patterns, recognize applications even over non-standard ports, and enforce policies dynamically makes Application Visibility and Control the correct choice for enforcing policies based on applications rather than ports and protocols.
Question 20
Which FTD engine can identify and block ransomware before it reaches endpoints?
A) Snort
B) File Policy with Malware Detection
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: B) File Policy with Malware Detection
Explanation:
File Policy with Malware Detection in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense is specifically designed to inspect files transmitted over protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, and SMB, allowing it to identify and block ransomware before it reaches endpoints. This engine combines signature-based detection with behavioral analysis to recognize malicious files, including zero-day threats and advanced ransomware. By integrating with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), File Policy can leverage threat intelligence, retrospective analysis, and continuous monitoring to prevent malware execution and propagation. Administrators can configure policies to block, allow, or quarantine files, ensuring that ransomware and other malware are stopped at the network perimeter before causing harm to endpoints or servers.
Snort is an intrusion detection and prevention engine that analyzes network traffic for known exploit signatures and anomalous behaviors. While Snort can detect exploits that may be associated with ransomware delivery, it does not perform file-level analysis. It focuses on network-based threats and intrusion attempts rather than inspecting the contents of transmitted files. Therefore, Snort alone cannot reliably block ransomware before it reaches endpoints.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on content categories or reputation, preventing users from visiting malicious or inappropriate sites. While URL Filtering may block access to domains used to distribute ransomware, it does not analyze or block the actual malicious files themselves. URL Filtering complements malware prevention but does not replace file inspection mechanisms.
Security Intelligence leverages threat reputation to block or allow traffic from known malicious IP addresses, domains, or URLs. Although it can prevent communication with ransomware command-and-control servers or download sources, it does not analyze file contents directly. Security Intelligence is essential for threat mitigation, but cannot detect ransomware embedded in transmitted files without integration with a file inspection engine.
File Policy with Malware Detection is therefore the correct choice because it performs deep inspection of files in transit, identifies malicious behaviors, and leverages AMP threat intelligence to stop ransomware at the network level. By scanning all files, including compressed or encrypted ones after decryption, it ensures proactive protection of endpoints, reduces the risk of infections, and prevents ransomware from executing. This engine enables organizations to enforce security policies that combine network-level visibility with endpoint protection, making it highly effective against modern malware threats. It allows administrators to quarantine or block suspicious files, mitigating potential damage and preventing ransomware outbreaks across the network. Its combination of signature, behavior-based detection, and AMP integration makes it the best solution for identifying and blocking ransomware before it reaches endpoints.
Question 21
Which Cisco FTD feature allows administrators to create exceptions for trusted traffic within inspection policies?
A) Access Control Policy
B) Security Intelligence
C) Trust Rules
D) URL Filtering
Answer: C) Trust Rules
Explanation:
Trust Rules in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enable administrators to create exceptions for trusted traffic within inspection policies. This allows traffic from known safe sources, such as internal servers, critical applications, or authenticated endpoints, to bypass certain inspections while still maintaining overall network security. By configuring Trust Rules, administrators can optimize performance, reduce latency, and prevent unnecessary scanning of legitimate traffic. Trust Rules are often applied in combination with Access Control Policies and inspection engines, allowing for granular policy enforcement that distinguishes between trusted and untrusted traffic.
Access Control Policy defines how traffic between network zones or segments should be handled, specifying actions such as allow, block, inspect, or trust. While it provides the framework for managing traffic, the creation of exceptions for specific trusted hosts or applications is achieved through Trust Rules. Access Control Policy alone cannot selectively bypass inspection engines without using a Trust Rule to specify the exception.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. It is dynamic and reacts to threat intelligence, but it is not intended to create exceptions for trusted sources. Using Security Intelligence alone cannot differentiate between traffic that should bypass inspection and traffic that should be blocked due to potential threats.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on content categories or reputation. While it can allow or block access to specific domains, it does not create exceptions for trusted internal traffic within inspection policies. URL Filtering primarily affects web-based traffic rather than all traffic traversing inspection engines.
Trust Rules are designed to provide flexibility within inspection policies. By identifying traffic that can bypass certain inspections, administrators can improve network performance while maintaining security for untrusted traffic. This is particularly important for traffic from internal applications, critical services, or authenticated endpoints where unnecessary inspection could cause latency or operational impact. Trust Rules allow organizations to balance security enforcement with operational efficiency, making them the correct choice for creating exceptions for trusted traffic within inspection policies. They provide a mechanism to selectively apply inspections, ensuring that legitimate traffic is handled efficiently without compromising security posture.
Question 22
Which Cisco FTD feature allows administrators to block file downloads from untrusted sources without affecting other traffic?
A) Security Intelligence
B) File Policy with Malware Detection
C) URL Filtering
D) Access Control Policy
Answer: B) File Policy with Malware Detection
Explanation:
File Policy with Malware Detection in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense provides the capability to inspect and control files being transmitted over protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SMTP. This feature allows administrators to block downloads of files from untrusted sources while letting other traffic pass normally. By configuring File Policies, administrators can specify which file types, protocols, or sources are subject to inspection. Suspicious files can be blocked, quarantined, or allowed with logging for further analysis. This selective approach ensures that critical business traffic is not impacted while threats are mitigated at the network perimeter. File Policy can also integrate with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) to leverage threat intelligence and detect both known and unknown malware.
Security Intelligence is a mechanism that blocks or allows traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, URLs, or domains. While it can prevent access to malicious sources, it does not analyze individual file content or enforce granular controls on downloads. Security Intelligence provides broad network-level threat mitigation but lacks file-specific enforcement capabilities.
URL Filtering is used to control access to websites by categorizing domains based on content or reputation. URL Filtering can prevent access to unsafe or inappropriate websites, but it does not inspect the actual files being transmitted over HTTP, HTTPS, or SMTP. Its focus is web content control, not file-level security.
Access Control Policy provides the framework to allow, block, inspect, or trust traffic between network zones. While it can direct traffic for inspection or enforcement, it does not directly block files from untrusted sources unless combined with File Policy. Access Control Policy is a container for rules rather than a content-inspection mechanism itself.
File Policy with Malware Detection is the correct choice because it provides a granular mechanism to enforce file-specific security policies without disrupting other traffic. It ensures that downloads from untrusted sources are intercepted, preventing malware infections or ransomware attacks before they reach endpoints. Administrators can configure policies to target specific file types, protocols, or sources, enabling precise control and minimizing the risk of false positives. By integrating with AMP, File Policy provides continuous monitoring, retrospective analysis, and automated updates, ensuring that emerging threats are detected in real time. This approach allows organizations to maintain operational efficiency while applying robust protection against file-based threats. File Policy is essential for proactive network defense, enabling organizations to mitigate risk at the perimeter and protect endpoints, mail servers, and internal resources. Its selective inspection ensures that only untrusted traffic is blocked, while legitimate business operations continue uninterrupted. This makes File Policy with Malware Detection the correct answer for blocking file downloads from untrusted sources without affecting other traffic.
Question 23
Which Cisco FTD feature allows administrators to block traffic based on domain categories such as gambling or social media?
A) Security Intelligence
B) URL Filtering
C) Snort
D) Access Control Policy
Answer: B) URL Filtering
Explanation:
URL Filtering in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense is a feature that allows administrators to enforce security policies based on domain categories, such as gambling, social media, gaming, or malicious websites. It works by examining web requests and matching them against categorized databases, including those maintained by Cisco Talos. Administrators can create rules to block, allow, or monitor access to certain categories of websites, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and protecting users from threats. URL Filtering can also leverage reputation scoring to dynamically restrict access to domains that pose a risk due to malware, phishing, or command-and-control activity. This capability provides both security and productivity controls.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. While Security Intelligence is effective for preventing access to known malicious sources, it does not categorize websites by content type. It is focused on threat mitigation rather than enforcing policies for productivity or content compliance.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that inspects network traffic for known exploit signatures and anomalies. It does not classify websites by content category, nor does it provide controls over access based on categories such as social media or gambling. Snort is focused on detecting and preventing threats, not managing content access policies.
Access Control Policy defines rules for allowing, blocking, inspecting, or trusting traffic. While Access Control Policy governs traffic flow, it does not inherently categorize web domains. It relies on engines like URL Filtering or Security Intelligence to enforce specific policies based on content or reputation. Access Control Policy is the enforcement mechanism, whereas URL Filtering provides the categorization intelligence needed to block traffic by domain type.
URL Filtering is therefore the correct choice because it enables organizations to implement policy controls based on website categories. By blocking or allowing access to specific types of content, administrators can enforce compliance, reduce productivity loss, and enhance security by preventing users from accessing malicious sites within certain categories. URL Filtering allows organizations to balance security with operational efficiency, providing granular control over web access while complementing other enforcement mechanisms such as Access Control Policies or Security Intelligence. It ensures that category-based restrictions are enforced dynamically, adapting to changes in web content, reputation scores, and emerging threats. This makes URL Filtering the correct solution for blocking traffic based on domain categories.
Question 24
Which Cisco FTD feature can automatically block connections to IP addresses involved in botnet activity?
A) Snort
B) Security Intelligence
C) File Policy with Malware Detection
D) URL Filtering
Answer: B) Security Intelligence
Explanation:
Security Intelligence in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense provides the ability to automatically block connections to IP addresses involved in botnet activity. Botnets consist of compromised devices that communicate with command-and-control servers to receive instructions, propagate malware, or participate in coordinated attacks. Security Intelligence leverages continuously updated threat intelligence feeds from Cisco Talos and other sources to identify IP addresses, domains, or URLs associated with malicious activity, including botnets. Administrators can integrate Security Intelligence with Access Control Policies to dynamically enforce blocking of traffic from these known malicious sources, preventing compromised endpoints within the network from contacting botnet controllers and stopping further infection or participation in distributed attacks.
Snort is an intrusion detection and prevention engine that analyzes traffic for known exploit signatures. While Snort can detect suspicious traffic patterns or malicious payloads indicative of botnet activity, it is not inherently designed to automatically block traffic from a dynamic list of malicious IP addresses. Snort rules must be manually updated to match emerging threats, making it less proactive in real-time botnet mitigation compared to Security Intelligence.
File Policy with Malware Detection inspects files transmitted over protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SMTP for malware. While it can detect and block malicious files used by botnets for propagation, it does not prevent the network connections themselves from communicating with command-and-control IP addresses. File Policy focuses on file content, not network reputation or IP-based blocking.
URL Filtering restricts access to websites based on categories or reputation. Although it can block access to known malicious domains, it does not provide the dynamic, automated blocking of IP addresses associated with botnets at the network level. URL Filtering is mainly web-focused, whereas botnet communication may occur over multiple protocols or non-standard ports.
Security Intelligence is therefore the correct choice because it provides real-time, automated blocking of IP addresses associated with botnet activity. By using threat intelligence feeds, administrators can proactively prevent communication with malicious infrastructure, reducing the risk of data exfiltration, malware propagation, or participation in distributed denial-of-service attacks. Integrating Security Intelligence into Access Control Policies ensures that enforcement is consistent, dynamic, and responsive to evolving threats, making it a critical component of network defense. Its ability to prevent compromised endpoints from communicating with botnet controllers and its automation of IP blocking make Security Intelligence the most effective solution for mitigating botnet activity.
Question 25
Which Cisco FTD feature allows inspection and enforcement of traffic over encrypted HTTPS connections?
A) SSL Decryption Policy
B) URL Filtering
C) Snort
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) SSL Decryption Policy
Explanation:
SSL Decryption Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to inspect traffic that is encrypted using SSL or TLS protocols, such as HTTPS. With the growing prevalence of encrypted web traffic, many threats now hide within HTTPS connections, making inspection essential for effective security enforcement. By deploying the SSL Decryption Policy, traffic can be decrypted, inspected, and then re-encrypted before continuing to its destination. This allows other inspection engines, such as Snort, File Policy with Malware Detection, and URL Filtering, to analyze the content for malicious activity, exploits, or policy violations. Administrators can configure SSL Decryption Policy selectively, applying it to specific hosts, subnets, or protocols, which ensures that sensitive traffic is treated appropriately while maintaining compliance with privacy and regulatory requirements.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on categories, reputation, or specific domains. While URL Filtering can analyze unencrypted traffic or traffic decrypted through SSL Decryption, it does not inherently decrypt traffic itself. URL Filtering relies on access to the actual content or metadata to determine policy enforcement, so without an SSL Decryption Policy, encrypted traffic remains opaque to URL Filtering, preventing it from inspecting HTTPS payloads.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine responsible for detecting network-based threats and exploits. Although Snort is capable of analyzing decrypted traffic, it cannot access encrypted content without an SSL Decryption Policy. Without decryption, Snort can only examine headers and metadata, limiting its ability to detect attacks embedded within encrypted payloads. Snort requires the decrypted content provided by the SSL Decryption Policy to perform full inspection of HTTPS traffic.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on IP addresses, URLs, or domains that are known to be malicious. While Security Intelligence is effective at mitigating threats from compromised sources, it does not decrypt encrypted traffic. It primarily acts on reputation-based intelligence rather than analyzing the content of SSL/TLS connections, so it cannot detect threats hidden within encrypted sessions without SSL decryption.
SSL Decryption Policy is critical in modern networks because a significant portion of web traffic is encrypted, and attackers increasingly use encryption to evade detection. By enabling decryption, inspection engines can analyze the decrypted content in real-time, identify malware, ransomware, exploits, or command-and-control traffic, and enforce security policies effectively. Administrators can define policies to decrypt traffic from untrusted external sources while bypassing traffic from sensitive internal services, balancing security, privacy, and performance. SSL Decryption Policy allows organizations to maintain visibility into encrypted traffic while ensuring compliance with corporate or regulatory requirements, preventing threats from bypassing inspection due to encryption. By integrating with other engines such as Snort, File Policy, and URL Filtering, SSL Decryption Policy enhances network security across multiple layers. Its ability to selectively decrypt, inspect, and re-encrypt traffic makes it the most effective solution for enforcing security policies over encrypted HTTPS connections.
Question 26
Which feature in Cisco Firepower allows blocking traffic from specific IP addresses or ranges based on threat reputation?
A) Security Intelligence
B) Access Control Policy
C) URL Filtering
D) File Policy
Answer: A) Security Intelligence
Explanation:
Security Intelligence in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense provides administrators with the ability to block or allow traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. It leverages dynamic threat intelligence feeds, including real-time updates from Cisco Talos, to identify sources involved in malicious activity such as botnets, malware distribution, phishing, or spam campaigns. By automatically integrating these feeds into Access Control Policies, Security Intelligence ensures that compromised or high-risk IP addresses are blocked before they can interact with internal networks. Administrators can configure actions such as drop, trust, or inspect based on the reputation score of each IP, enabling proactive threat mitigation and reducing the risk of infection or data exfiltration. Security Intelligence is particularly effective in environments where threats evolve rapidly, as it continuously updates block lists and ensures that traffic from known malicious sources is automatically denied.
Access Control Policy provides the framework for enforcing rules, such as allow, block, inspect, or trust, between different network zones. While Access Control Policy is the mechanism through which traffic can be blocked, it does not generate or maintain threat intelligence itself. Without Security Intelligence feeds, Access Control Policy would rely solely on static IPs or manual configuration, which cannot respond dynamically to emerging threats. Access Control Policy acts as the enforcement layer, whereas Security Intelligence provides the intelligence for automated threat mitigation.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on content categories, domain reputation, or specific URLs. While URL Filtering is effective at blocking access to malicious websites or inappropriate content, it is primarily web-focused and cannot dynamically block general IP addresses or ranges outside of web traffic. It does not incorporate real-time threat intelligence for all types of network traffic, making it unsuitable for reputation-based IP blocking.
File Policy inspects files transmitted over protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB for malware. While File Policy can detect malicious content within files, it does not enforce blocking based on the reputation of IP addresses or domains. Its focus is on file content rather than network source reputation.
Security Intelligence is the correct answer because it provides dynamic, real-time enforcement of traffic blocking based on threat reputation. It integrates with Access Control Policies to automatically deny access to compromised hosts, preventing network infection and minimizing exposure to known malicious sources. By leveraging continuously updated threat intelligence, administrators can proactively mitigate emerging threats without requiring manual updates or intervention. Security Intelligence enhances the organization’s security posture by providing automated, real-time protection at the network perimeter and within the internal network. Its ability to block traffic from high-risk IP addresses or ranges based on reputation is essential for maintaining operational security and reducing the likelihood of compromise.
Question 27
Which Cisco FTD engine allows administrators to detect network intrusions using signature-based rules?
A) Snort
B) File Policy
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Snort
Explanation:
Snort in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense is the engine responsible for detecting network intrusions using signature-based rules. It analyzes network traffic for known attack patterns, protocol anomalies, and exploit signatures, generating alerts or taking preventive action when a match occurs. Snort is capable of operating in inline or passive modes, enabling intrusion detection and prevention depending on the network deployment. Administrators can configure Snort rulesets to match specific types of threats, including malware communications, exploitation attempts, buffer overflows, SQL injection, and other vulnerabilities. By leveraging signature-based detection, Snort identifies attacks before they can affect endpoints or servers, providing real-time protection against known threats. Snort also supports custom rule creation, allowing organizations to define unique threat signatures based on specific network behaviors or security requirements.
File Policy inspects files transmitted over protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, or SMB for malware. While File Policy can detect malicious content embedded within files, it does not detect network intrusions based on packet-level analysis or exploit signatures. File Policy focuses on content-level inspection, making it complementary to Snort but not a replacement for intrusion detection.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on categories, reputation, or specific domains. It does not inspect network packets for exploit signatures or detect network intrusions. URL Filtering is primarily a web content control mechanism, and its function is unrelated to signature-based intrusion detection.
Security Intelligence uses threat reputation feeds to block or allow traffic from known malicious IP addresses, domains, or URLs. While it is effective at preventing communication with compromised sources, it does not analyze network traffic for exploits or intrusions using signature-based rules. Security Intelligence provides proactive threat blocking rather than packet-level intrusion detection.
Snort is the correct answer because it provides deep packet inspection for network-based attacks, leveraging a comprehensive ruleset for detecting known threats. It can generate alerts or actively block malicious traffic in-line, providing real-time intrusion prevention. By combining signature-based detection with anomaly detection and protocol analysis, Snort allows administrators to protect networks from a wide range of attacks. Its integration with Firepower Management Center enables centralized management of rules, monitoring of alerts, and fine-tuning of signatures to minimize false positives. Snort is the foundation for network intrusion detection and prevention in Cisco Firepower, ensuring that threats are identified and mitigated before they can compromise the organization’s infrastructure.
Question 28
Which Cisco FTD feature allows prioritization of critical applications while limiting bandwidth for non-essential traffic?
A) Traffic Shaping Policy
B) Security Intelligence
C) URL Filtering
D) Access Control Policy
Answer: A) Traffic Shaping Policy
Explanation:
Traffic Shaping Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense provides administrators with the ability to manage and control network bandwidth, ensuring that critical applications receive priority while non-essential or recreational traffic is limited. This feature is crucial in networks where bandwidth is shared among many users and applications, helping prevent congestion and maintaining performance for high-priority services such as VoIP, video conferencing, ERP systems, or database access. Traffic Shaping Policy enables administrators to define bandwidth limits, guarantee minimum bandwidth, prioritize applications based on type or source, and enforce maximum traffic rates to prevent individual hosts or applications from monopolizing network resources. By combining prioritization with rate limiting, Traffic Shaping Policy ensures that mission-critical applications function optimally while lower-priority traffic is managed efficiently.
Security Intelligence provides the ability to block or allow traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, URLs, or domains. While effective for threat mitigation, Security Intelligence does not manage bandwidth or prioritize traffic. Its function is to prevent communication with malicious sources, not to optimize network performance or allocate bandwidth. It is focused on network security rather than traffic management.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on categories, reputation, or specific domains. Although URL Filtering can block access to certain categories, thereby indirectly affecting traffic flow, it does not provide granular bandwidth control or prioritize traffic by application. URL Filtering is primarily used for content control and compliance, rather than application-level bandwidth management.
Access Control Policy defines how traffic is treated between zones or interfaces, specifying actions such as allow, block, inspect, or trust. While Access Control Policies are essential for the enforcement of security rules, they do not provide mechanisms to prioritize bandwidth or allocate traffic. They work in combination with Traffic Shaping Policy to enforce traffic rules, but bandwidth management is handled by Traffic Shaping Policy itself.
Traffic Shaping Policy is the correct answer because it enables administrators to ensure quality of service for critical applications while controlling the flow of non-essential traffic. For example, it can guarantee voice traffic receives the necessary bandwidth for clear communication, while throttling recreational file downloads or video streaming during peak hours. This ensures network efficiency, user productivity, and operational reliability. By monitoring traffic patterns and applying rules dynamically, Traffic Shaping Policy allows networks to adapt to changing conditions, prevent congestion, and mitigate the risk of denial-of-service caused by bandwidth saturation. It also integrates with other Cisco Firepower features such as Access Control Policies, Security Intelligence, and inspection engines, allowing a holistic approach to network security and performance management. Traffic Shaping Policy is therefore the optimal solution for controlling bandwidth allocation, prioritizing mission-critical applications, and limiting non-essential traffic, making it the correct answer.
Question 29
Which Cisco FTD engine is capable of blocking malware downloaded via HTTP or HTTPS before it reaches the endpoint?
A) File Policy with Malware Detection
B) Snort
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) File Policy with Malware Detection
Explanation:
File Policy with Malware Detection in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense is designed to inspect files transmitted over HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB protocols. This engine can detect and block malware before it reaches the endpoint, providing proactive protection against ransomware, spyware, and other malicious software. File Policy performs deep inspection of file content using signature-based detection, behavioral analysis, and integration with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for real-time threat intelligence and retrospective analysis. Administrators can configure rules to block or quarantine suspicious files, allowing legitimate traffic to continue without interruption while preventing malware from being delivered to endpoints. By inspecting files in transit, File Policy protects both end users and critical systems from infection, minimizing downtime and reducing the impact of malicious activity on the network.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that analyzes network traffic for exploit signatures, anomalies, and protocol violations. While Snort can detect threats that may be part of a malware delivery mechanism, it does not inspect the actual file contents being transmitted. Snort identifies network-level attacks, but it is not sufficient for file-specific malware detection or blocking.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on categories, reputation, or domain content. While URL Filtering can prevent access to malicious sites that might host malware, it does not inspect or block individual files being downloaded from otherwise trusted or unknown sources. Its focus is on web access control rather than file-level malware inspection.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on IP, URL, or domain reputation. Although it can prevent connections to malicious hosts or C2 servers, it does not analyze the content of downloaded files or block malware embedded in file transfers. Security Intelligence operates at the network or reputation level rather than the file content level.
File Policy with Malware Detection is the correct answer because it provides comprehensive protection against malicious files transmitted over common network protocols. By inspecting files before they reach endpoints, this engine prevents infections, reduces risk, and ensures that business operations are not disrupted by malware outbreaks. Its integration with AMP provides real-time intelligence, retrospective scanning, and the ability to detect zero-day threats, enhancing network security significantly. File Policy allows administrators to define granular policies for file handling, including blocking certain types or sources while allowing legitimate files, ensuring operational continuity. Its ability to proactively block malware downloads from HTTP or HTTPS makes it an essential component of endpoint and network protection, establishing it as the correct solution for this requirement.
Question 30
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides detailed visibility into user activity, network events, and security alerts across multiple devices?
A) Firepower Management Center
B) Snort
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Firepower Management Center
Explanation:
Firepower Management Center (FMC) provides centralized management, detailed visibility, and correlation of security events across multiple Cisco Firepower Threat Defense devices. FMC aggregates logs, alerts, and telemetry from intrusion detection engines like Snort, File Policy with Malware Detection, URL Filtering events, and Security Intelligence actions. It allows administrators to monitor user activity, detect patterns, identify anomalies, and generate reports and dashboards for comprehensive network visibility. By correlating events from multiple FTD devices, FMC helps in identifying coordinated attacks, persistent threats, and compliance violations. Administrators can deploy policies centrally across all managed devices, ensuring consistent security enforcement while monitoring both internal and external network activity. FMC provides powerful analytics, historical reporting, and real-time monitoring, which are essential for incident response, operational oversight, and proactive threat mitigation.
Snort is the engine that detects network intrusions based on signature and protocol analysis. While it generates alerts for suspicious traffic, it does not provide centralized visibility or correlation across multiple devices. Snort focuses on packet-level detection rather than comprehensive network activity monitoring.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on categories and reputation. It can log web activity and block access to malicious or inappropriate content, but it does not aggregate security events across multiple devices or provide comprehensive visibility into all network traffic. URL Filtering is a component of monitoring, but not the central platform for detailed analytics.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on IP, URL, or domain reputation. Although it produces logs and provides threat mitigation, it does not provide a unified view of user activity, security events, or network-wide insights. Security Intelligence operates at a dynamic reputation level rather than as a centralized management and reporting system.
Firepower Management Center is the correct answer because it consolidates logs and events from multiple FTD devices and engines, enabling administrators to gain holistic visibility into network activity. It supports centralized policy deployment, event correlation, threat analysis, and reporting, making it an essential platform for monitoring and managing security across the network. By providing actionable intelligence and historical insights, FMC allows organizations to detect trends, respond to incidents efficiently, and optimize security posture. Its ability to integrate with Snort, File Policy, URL Filtering, and Security Intelligence ensures that all aspects of network protection are monitored and correlated, making it the ideal solution for centralized visibility into user activity, network events, and security alerts.