Cisco 300-710 Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (300-710 SNCF) Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 15 Q211-225
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Question 211
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to block applications or control bandwidth usage based on application categories instead of ports?
A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Explanation:
Application Visibility and Control (AVC) in Cisco Firepower provides the ability to identify, monitor, and control applications traversing the network regardless of the port or protocol they use. Modern applications frequently employ dynamic ports, encrypted channels, or tunneling, which makes traditional port-based firewall rules ineffective. AVC uses deep packet inspection and behavioral analysis to recognize applications, their versions, and even their categories, allowing administrators to enforce granular policies based on application identity.
Administrators can define rules that allow, block, limit bandwidth, or prioritize traffic for specific application categories. For example, collaboration tools may be prioritized for business productivity, while streaming services may be throttled or blocked to conserve bandwidth. This control ensures that network resources are allocated efficiently and that organizational policies are enforced without impacting legitimate business operations. Integration with user identity allows administrators to enforce policies on a per-user or per-group basis, offering role-based enforcement.
AVC also provides visibility into encrypted traffic when combined with SSL Decryption, ensuring that secure channels are not bypassing security controls. Detailed logs and reports include application usage, source and destination information, user identity, and bandwidth consumption. These reports support network monitoring, policy refinement, and compliance auditing. By leveraging AVC, organizations gain insights into shadow IT, unauthorized applications, and potential threats embedded within application traffic.
Other features do not offer application-layer control. VLAN Segmentation separates network traffic but does not inspect applications. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but cannot enforce policies based on application identity. DHCP Snooping ensures valid IP assignments but does not monitor applications.
By using AVC, organizations can enforce policies at the application layer, improve visibility, prioritize critical business applications, prevent unauthorized software, and enhance security. Its integration with SSL Decryption, AMP, and URL Filtering provides a multi-layered approach to application and network security. This makes Application Visibility and Control the correct answer.
Question 212
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides a history of file activity across endpoints, allowing administrators to identify and remediate previously undetected threats?
A) Retrospective Security
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) Retrospective Security
Explanation:
Retrospective Security in Cisco Firepower allows administrators to reanalyze files that were initially allowed, once new threat intelligence identifies them as malicious. Traditional file inspection may miss zero-day malware or previously unknown threats. Retrospective Security ensures that these files are tracked, correlated with endpoints, and mitigated if necessary. This capability provides continuous protection by maintaining a historical record of file activity and allowing security teams to take corrective action even after a file has traversed the network.
Files are monitored from the point of entry, with metadata such as file hash, type, size, protocol, source, and destination collected and stored. When a file is reclassified as malicious, Retrospective Security generates alerts showing which endpoints were exposed. Administrators can then isolate affected systems, remove malicious files, and update policies to prevent recurrence. Integration with AMP, File Trajectory, and Threat Grid enhances visibility and enables a comprehensive approach to threat mitigation.
Retrospective Security also supports compliance and forensic analysis. Organizations can demonstrate that threats were identified and addressed, even if initial inspection missed them. Detailed logs and reports provide context for incident investigations and remediation planning. By correlating file movement and endpoint activity, security teams can determine the full scope of potential exposure and take targeted remediation measures, minimizing disruption while ensuring effective threat response.
VLAN segmentation, NAT policies, and DHCP snooping are essential network management and security features, each serving a specific purpose in organizing and controlling traffic, yet none of these mechanisms provide post-event analysis or file-level security monitoring. VLAN segmentation is primarily designed to logically separate network traffic into distinct segments, enhancing network performance and limiting the scope of broadcast domains. By isolating traffic, VLANs help reduce congestion and improve overall efficiency while preventing devices in one segment from communicating directly with another unless explicitly allowed. This isolation can mitigate certain types of network issues, such as the spread of broadcast storms or misconfigurations, but it does not inherently track or analyze the content of the data flowing through the network. VLANs do not maintain records of files transferred between devices, nor can they detect or respond to malware embedded within those files. Their function is limited to controlling which devices can communicate at a network layer, leaving security enforcement and file-level monitoring to additional systems.
Similarly, NAT (Network Address Translation) policies are crucial for managing IP address allocation and enabling communication between private networks and the broader internet. NAT allows multiple devices to share a single public IP address and can manipulate port information to facilitate proper routing. While NAT plays an important role in enabling connectivity and adding a layer of obscurity for internal IP addresses, it does not perform security inspection of the traffic it translates. NAT cannot monitor the content of files, determine if a file contains malicious code, or reevaluate a file’s safety after initial transfer. Its purpose is translation and routing rather than threat detection or post-event analysis.
DHCP snooping, on the other hand, focuses on validating IP address assignments within a network. It ensures that only trusted devices can obtain an IP address from the DHCP server and prevents rogue devices from assigning themselves addresses that could disrupt network operations or enable man-in-the-middle attacks. While DHCP snooping is effective at preventing IP-based attacks and maintaining the integrity of IP assignment, it does not provide retrospective visibility into the behavior of files that traverse the network. It cannot determine if a file transmitted to a host is safe, nor can it track the propagation of malicious content after it has been delivered.
Collectively, these features provide strong operational and structural controls for a network. VLAN segmentation improves traffic management and containment, NAT policies enable efficient IP utilization and connectivity, and DHCP snooping enforces correct IP assignments and mitigates certain network attacks. However, their scope is limited to network-level organization, routing, and IP management. None of these tools are designed to analyze the content of files, detect malware, or provide post-event forensic insight into file behavior or security incidents. Organizations that require detailed monitoring, file tracking, and retrospective analysis must integrate these features with additional security systems such as intrusion detection and prevention systems, advanced threat protection, or endpoint security solutions. By combining these network management tools with content inspection and threat intelligence mechanisms, organizations can achieve both operational efficiency and comprehensive security visibility, enabling them to respond to incidents and protect sensitive data effectively.
By leveraging Retrospective Security, organizations gain continuous protection, improve incident response, enhance visibility into threats, and ensure that previously allowed files do not compromise network security. It enables proactive mitigation, forensic investigation, and compliance support. This makes Retrospective Security the correct answer.
Question 213
Which Firepower feature allows administrators to inspect traffic and block access to websites based on categories such as gambling, social media, or malware distribution?
A) URL Filtering
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) URL Filtering
Explanation:
URL Filtering in Cisco Firepower provides the ability to enforce web access policies based on predefined website categories. It is essential for organizations to control web traffic to prevent access to malicious, non-business-related, or inappropriate content. URL Filtering works by comparing requested URLs against a continuously updated database of categorized websites. Categories include areas such as social media, gambling, financial services, malware distribution, and adult content. Administrators can configure policies to allow, block, or monitor access based on these categories, aligning security enforcement with organizational requirements.
URL Filtering provides granularity by integrating with user identity and network context. Policies can target specific users, groups, network segments, or times of day. For example, social media access might be allowed for marketing staff during work hours but restricted for other departments. URL Filtering can operate in monitoring mode to log access attempts without blocking them, or in enforcement mode to actively deny access to restricted sites. Integration with SSL Decryption ensures that HTTPS traffic is also inspected, preventing threats from bypassing content policies via encrypted channels.
Detailed logging and reporting are fundamental components of a robust network security strategy, providing organizations with the visibility needed to monitor web activity, assess policy effectiveness, and maintain regulatory compliance. By capturing comprehensive logs, security teams gain insight into how users interact with the web, which sites are accessed, and what actions are taken in response to policy enforcement. Logs typically include key data points such as user identity, URL category, source and destination IP addresses, time stamps, and the security actions triggered, such as allow, block, or alert. This level of detail allows organizations to conduct forensic investigations after security incidents, helping to identify compromised accounts, malicious activity, or attempts to bypass controls. Additionally, detailed reporting enables trend analysis over time, allowing security teams to detect patterns of risky behavior, emerging threats, or inefficiencies in existing policies. This information is critical for refining security policies to better align with organizational needs, ensuring that web access is both productive and secure while minimizing exposure to potential threats.
URL filtering serves as a key mechanism within this framework by categorizing websites and controlling access based on organizational policy. It helps prevent users from accessing malicious, inappropriate, or non-compliant websites, reducing the risk of malware infections and data breaches. When combined with Application Visibility and Control (AVC), URL filtering can extend beyond simple categorization, providing insight into the specific applications and services being used on the network, regardless of port or protocol. This allows administrators to apply granular controls, such as limiting file uploads, restricting bandwidth-heavy applications, or blocking risky behaviors within specific applications.
Layered protection is further enhanced by integrating security intelligence feeds and advanced malware protection (AMP). Security intelligence feeds provide real-time threat data from global sources, allowing organizations to block access to domains or IP addresses associated with malicious activity before harm occurs. AMP complements this by analyzing and monitoring files for known and unknown malware, providing retrospective detection and remediation capabilities. Together, these components create a multi-layered defense strategy: URL filtering controls access, AVC monitors application behavior, security intelligence feeds identify emerging threats, and AMP inspects files for malicious content.
By leveraging detailed logging and reporting alongside these technologies, organizations gain comprehensive visibility into user activity and network traffic. This enables proactive threat management, continuous policy improvement, and enhanced compliance reporting, ensuring that web-based threats are effectively mitigated while maintaining secure and productive network usage.
Other features do not provide content-based web filtering. VLAN Segmentation isolates network traffic but does not categorize or block websites. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but do not enforce web access policies. DHCP Snooping validates IP assignments but does not control web traffic.
By implementing URL Filtering, organizations can protect users from malicious or inappropriate websites, enforce corporate policies, and support compliance objectives. It provides visibility into web activity, granular control over user access, and integration with other Firepower features to deliver multi-layered security. This makes URL Filtering the correct answer.
Question 214
Which Cisco Firepower feature enables administrators to block, allow, or monitor network traffic based on source, destination, application, or user identity?
A) Access Control Policies
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) Access Control Policies
Explanation:
Access Control Policies (ACP) in Cisco Firepower are the core mechanism for enforcing security rules across the network. They allow administrators to block, allow, or monitor traffic based on multiple criteria, including source and destination IP addresses, applications, users, and protocols. ACPs are essential for implementing a zero-trust model, controlling access to sensitive resources, and mitigating threats across the network. They provide granular enforcement at Layer 3, Layer 4, and Layer 7, giving security teams visibility and control over network activity beyond traditional port-based filtering.
ACPs integrate with multiple Firepower features such as Application Visibility and Control (AVC), URL Filtering, Security Intelligence, AMP, and SSL Decryption. For instance, traffic from a known malicious domain can be blocked automatically using Security Intelligence feeds. Applications can be allowed or restricted based on user roles or organizational policies. Encrypted traffic is decrypted using SSL Decryption to ensure that security enforcement is effective across all traffic. This multi-layered approach ensures comprehensive protection against threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
Administrators can configure ACPs to log all traffic, generate alerts, or apply enforcement actions dynamically based on real-time intelligence. Policies can also be tiered to prioritize critical business applications while limiting non-essential or high-risk traffic. ACPs support identity-based enforcement, meaning that users and groups can have specific policies applied regardless of their IP address or device. Integration with Firepower Management Center allows centralized configuration, deployment, and monitoring, providing a consistent security posture across multiple devices and network segments.
Other features do not provide the same level of granular traffic control. VLAN Segmentation isolates network segments but does not enforce application or user-based policies. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports for connectivity but do not control traffic flow or apply security rules. DHCP Snooping ensures IP address integrity but does not inspect or regulate traffic.
By leveraging Access Control Policies, organizations gain the ability to enforce security rules effectively, control applications and users, mitigate threats proactively, and maintain compliance. ACPs serve as the foundation for Firepower security enforcement, integrating with other features to create a cohesive, multi-layered defense strategy. This makes Access Control Policies the correct answer.
Question 215
Which Firepower feature allows administrators to monitor and control endpoint exposure to malicious files by tracking files across network and endpoint devices?
A) File Trajectory
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) File Trajectory
Explanation:
File Trajectory in Cisco Firepower provides security teams with the ability to track the movement and behavior of files across the network and endpoints. It allows administrators to understand which endpoints were exposed to a particular file, whether the file is potentially malicious, and how it interacted with the network environment. File Trajectory is essential for incident response and threat containment, as it provides visibility into the scope and impact of malicious activity. By integrating with Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), Threat Grid, and Retrospective Security, File Trajectory offers a holistic view of file behavior from entry to endpoint.
The feature captures metadata for each tracked file, including hash, type, size, protocol, source, destination, and timestamps. Security teams can visualize the file path, determine affected endpoints, and correlate movement with user identity and application activity. This information is critical for forensic investigations, as it allows organizations to understand the origin, spread, and potential impact of threats. File Trajectory also supports retrospective analysis, meaning that if a file is later identified as malicious, security teams can quickly identify all systems that interacted with the file and take remediation steps.
Other features do not provide comprehensive file tracking. VLAN Segmentation isolates network traffic but does not monitor file movement or endpoint exposure. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but do not track files. DHCP Snooping validates IP assignments but does not provide visibility into file behavior.
By implementing File Trajectory, organizations can proactively identify compromised systems, contain threats, and improve incident response efficiency. It enhances visibility into file behavior, supports compliance reporting, and enables targeted remediation measures to minimize the impact of malicious files. This makes File Trajectory the correct answer.
Question 216
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to decrypt SSL/TLS traffic for inspection and re-encrypt it to maintain confidentiality while enforcing security policies?
A) SSL Decryption
B) VLAN Trunking
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) SSL Decryption
Explanation:
SSL Decryption in Cisco Firepower enables the firewall to intercept, decrypt, inspect, and re-encrypt SSL/TLS-encrypted traffic to enforce security policies effectively. With the majority of web traffic now encrypted, malicious actors often hide threats within SSL/TLS sessions, bypassing traditional security measures. Without SSL Decryption, encrypted traffic represents a blind spot that can be exploited to deliver malware, execute command-and-control communications, or exfiltrate sensitive data. By decrypting traffic, security teams can inspect its content using Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), URL Filtering, Application Visibility and Control (AVC), and Security Intelligence Feeds.
The decryption process begins by the firewall presenting its own certificate to the client while establishing a separate secure connection with the destination server. This allows the device to decrypt traffic, inspect it, and apply security policies without disrupting the communication flow. Administrators can configure selective decryption rules to exempt sensitive traffic, such as financial or healthcare data, ensuring regulatory compliance while maintaining protection. SSL Decryption works alongside URL Filtering and AVC to enforce web access policies and application-level control on encrypted traffic.
Logs and reports generated from SSL Decryption provide visibility into previously hidden traffic, including malicious attempts, file transfers, and unauthorized applications. Security teams can analyze this data to detect attacks, monitor compliance, and improve overall security policies. Integration with Firepower Management Center allows centralized configuration, monitoring, and policy enforcement for encrypted traffic across multiple devices.
Other options do not provide SSL/TLS inspection capabilities. VLAN Trunking separates traffic but does not decrypt or inspect encrypted sessions. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but cannot inspect traffic content. DHCP Snooping validates IP assignments but does not provide content inspection or policy enforcement.
By enabling SSL Decryption, organizations eliminate blind spots in network security, ensure that encrypted traffic is inspected for threats, and maintain confidentiality through re-encryption. It provides visibility, control, and integration with other Firepower features to enforce a multi-layered security strategy effectively. This makes SSL Decryption the correct answer.
Question 217
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to automatically block traffic to malicious domains, IPs, and URLs based on threat intelligence updates?
A) Security Intelligence Feeds
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) Security Intelligence Feeds
Explanation:
Security Intelligence Feeds in Cisco Firepower provide automated, real-time protection by dynamically blocking traffic to malicious domains, IP addresses, and URLs based on continuously updated threat intelligence. This feature leverages data from global sources such as Cisco Talos, which collects information on emerging threats, including botnets, phishing sites, malware distribution servers, and command-and-control endpoints. By integrating these feeds into access control policies, organizations can proactively mitigate threats without manual intervention.
When configured, Security Intelligence Feeds can operate in either blocking or monitoring mode. Blocking mode denies traffic from known malicious entities automatically, preventing threats from reaching endpoints or sensitive resources. Monitoring mode allows traffic but logs all activity for analysis, which is useful for evaluating potential risks before enforcing stricter policies. Custom lists can also be created to address organization-specific risks, such as IP addresses associated with high-risk geographies, competitors, or previously identified threat actors.
The feeds integrate with other Firepower features, such as AMP, URL Filtering, SSL Decryption, and Application Visibility and Control, to provide a layered approach to security. For example, a user attempting to visit a malicious website may trigger URL Filtering, AMP, and Security Intelligence simultaneously, ensuring that both the web request and any associated files are analyzed and blocked if necessary. Administrators gain full visibility through detailed logging and reporting, which shows which malicious entities were blocked, the users involved, and the type of threat detected. This data supports incident response, forensics, and regulatory compliance.
Other features do not provide automated threat-based blocking. VLAN Segmentation isolates traffic within network segments but does not enforce threat-based policies. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but cannot detect or block malicious destinations. DHCP Snooping validates IP assignments but does not analyze or restrict malicious traffic.
Security Intelligence Feeds provide organizations with real-time, proactive defense against known threats. By leveraging continuously updated intelligence, they reduce exposure to malicious entities, enhance overall security posture, and support compliance. Integration with other Firepower features ensures that network security is layered, comprehensive, and automated, making Security Intelligence Feeds the correct answer.
Question 218
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides centralized management, reporting, and policy enforcement across multiple Firepower devices in an enterprise network?
A) Firepower Management Center (FMC)
B) VLAN Trunking
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) Firepower Management Center (FMC)
Explanation:
Firepower Management Center (FMC) is the central management platform for Cisco Firepower, providing administrators with a single interface for managing multiple devices across an enterprise network. FMC enables centralized policy creation, deployment, monitoring, and reporting, simplifying administration and ensuring consistency in security enforcement. Through FMC, administrators can configure access control policies, SSL Decryption, Security Intelligence, URL Filtering, Application Visibility and Control (AVC), Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), and other integrated features from a unified platform.
FMC provides a comprehensive view of network security events, including traffic patterns, security alerts, malware detections, and policy violations. Dashboards visualize trends, highlight critical incidents, and provide drill-down capabilities for in-depth analysis. Detailed reports allow security teams to track blocked traffic, endpoint exposures, and application usage. These capabilities are essential for maintaining compliance with regulatory standards, conducting forensic investigations, and making informed decisions about network security policies.
FMC also supports automation of repetitive tasks, including signature updates, policy deployment, and reporting schedules. Administrators can use templates to deploy standardized policies to multiple devices quickly, ensuring consistency and reducing configuration errors. Integration with Retrospective Security, File Trajectory, Threat Grid, and AMP provides additional layers of insight, allowing teams to monitor malicious files, track endpoint exposure, and take corrective actions proactively.
Other features do not provide centralized management. VLAN Trunking isolates network traffic but does not manage security policies or reporting. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but offer no centralized visibility or control. DHCP Snooping validates IP addresses but cannot enforce security policies across multiple devices.
By leveraging FMC, organizations gain centralized control, consistent security enforcement, and visibility into the entire network. It streamlines operations, improves response times to threats, and ensures comprehensive reporting. This makes Firepower Management Center the correct answer.
Question 219
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides detailed visibility into the movement, origin, and endpoints affected by files in the network, aiding in incident response?
A) File Trajectory
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) File Trajectory
Explanation:
File Trajectory in Cisco Firepower provides security teams with detailed insight into the movement of files across the network and endpoints. It tracks the origin, path, and endpoints affected by each file, enabling administrators to understand exposure and take proactive remediation measures. File Trajectory is critical for incident response, forensic investigations, and threat containment, especially for malware, ransomware, and zero-day attacks. It integrates with Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), Threat Grid, and Retrospective Security to provide both real-time and retrospective analysis.
File Trajectory collects extensive metadata for each tracked file, including file hash, size, type, protocol, source, destination, and timestamps. Security teams can visualize file movement, identify endpoints that were exposed, and determine whether the file executed malicious actions. When a file is later classified as malicious, Retrospective Security can correlate its movement with affected endpoints to trigger alerts and remediation actions. This allows administrators to isolate compromised systems, remove malicious files, and implement targeted policy changes to prevent recurrence.
Other features do not provide file-level visibility or endpoint correlation. VLAN Segmentation isolates network traffic but does not track files. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but cannot monitor file behavior. DHCP Snooping ensures IP address integrity but does not track file activity or support incident response.
File Trajectory enhances visibility, accelerates incident response, and improves the organization’s ability to mitigate the impact of malicious files. By integrating with other Firepower security features, it provides a holistic approach to monitoring, tracking, and remediating file-based threats. This makes File Trajectory the correct answer.
Question 220
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to identify and control application usage on the network, even when applications use non-standard ports or encrypted traffic?
A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Explanation:
Application Visibility and Control (AVC) in Cisco Firepower enables administrators to identify, monitor, and control applications traversing the network regardless of the port or protocol used. Modern applications frequently use dynamic ports, encryption, or tunneling, making traditional port-based security ineffective. AVC uses deep packet inspection, behavioral analysis, and application signatures to detect applications, versions, and categories, providing granular control over application usage.
Administrators can enforce policies to allow, block, or restrict bandwidth for specific applications or categories. For example, collaboration tools critical for business operations can be prioritized, while entertainment or non-business-related applications may be blocked or throttled. AVC can also integrate with user identity, enabling role-based enforcement where specific users or groups have tailored access to applications. This integration ensures that business-critical applications receive appropriate resources while controlling shadow IT and minimizing security risks from unauthorized applications.
AVC works in conjunction with SSL Decryption to inspect encrypted traffic, ensuring that applications operating over HTTPS or other secure channels are visible for policy enforcement. It also integrates with Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), Security Intelligence Feeds, and URL Filtering, providing a multi-layered defense that addresses both application misuse and security threats. Logging and reporting provide detailed insights into application usage, user activity, and bandwidth consumption, supporting policy refinement, compliance audits, and forensic investigations.
Other features do not provide application-layer control. VLAN Segmentation isolates network traffic but cannot identify or control applications. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but do not enforce application-specific rules. DHCP Snooping ensures valid IP assignments but does not monitor or manage applications.
By leveraging AVC, organizations gain visibility into hidden applications, enforce policies based on application identity, improve bandwidth utilization, mitigate security risks, and support compliance objectives. AVC’s integration with SSL Decryption and other Firepower features ensures comprehensive application control across encrypted and unencrypted traffic, making Application Visibility and Control the correct answer.
Question 221
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides the ability to reanalyze files after new intelligence identifies them as malicious, helping to contain previously allowed threats?
A) Retrospective Security
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) Retrospective Security
Explanation:
Retrospective Security in Cisco Firepower enables organizations to reanalyze files that were previously allowed through the network once new threat intelligence identifies them as malicious. Traditional malware detection methods may allow unknown or zero-day files initially, but Retrospective Security ensures continuous protection by tracking files, identifying exposure, and enabling rapid mitigation once a file is reclassified as malicious. This functionality is critical for maintaining security in dynamic environments where new threats are constantly emerging.
Files are tracked from the point of entry, with metadata such as hash, type, size, source, destination, and timestamp recorded. When intelligence updates indicate a file is malicious, security teams receive alerts detailing which endpoints and users were exposed. Integration with File Trajectory allows visualization of the file’s movement across the network, while Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) provides behavioral analysis and retrospective threat detection. Administrators can quickly remediate affected systems, isolate endpoints, remove malicious files, and update policies to prevent future exposure.
Retrospective Security also supports compliance and forensic requirements. By providing a historical record of file activity and showing that threats were identified and mitigated, organizations can demonstrate due diligence in monitoring and protecting their networks. Detailed logging and reporting allow teams to analyze incidents, understand exposure, and refine security policies for future prevention.
Other features do not provide retrospective file analysis. VLAN Segmentation isolates traffic but does not track or reanalyze files. NAT Policies translate IP addresses but cannot provide file-level intelligence. DHCP Snooping validates IP assignments but does not monitor or mitigate malicious file activity.
By implementing Retrospective Security, organizations gain continuous threat detection, improved incident response, and enhanced visibility into previously allowed files. It enables proactive mitigation of newly classified threats, supports forensic investigations, and enhances overall network security. This makes Retrospective Security the correct answer.
Question 222
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to inspect encrypted traffic, analyze it for threats, and re-encrypt it to maintain confidentiality?
A) SSL Decryption
B) VLAN Trunking
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) SSL Decryption
Explanation:
SSL Decryption in Cisco Firepower allows security teams to intercept, decrypt, inspect, and re-encrypt SSL/TLS-encrypted traffic to enforce security policies without compromising confidentiality. As the majority of web traffic is encrypted, threats can easily bypass traditional firewalls, IPS, or malware protection unless the content is decrypted and inspected. SSL Decryption ensures that encrypted traffic does not become a blind spot in network security.
The process involves the Firepower device presenting its own certificate to clients while establishing a secure connection to the destination server. This enables the appliance to decrypt traffic, inspect it for malware, intrusions, and policy violations using features such as AMP, URL Filtering, AVC, and Security Intelligence Feeds, and then re-encrypt it for secure delivery. Administrators can create selective decryption rules to exempt sensitive traffic, such as financial, healthcare, or personally identifiable information, maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements while enforcing security policies.
SSL Decryption also integrates with other Firepower features. AMP can analyze decrypted files for malware, Threat Grid can perform dynamic sandbox analysis, and Security Intelligence Feeds can block known malicious destinations. URL Filtering and AVC can inspect decrypted traffic to enforce web and application policies. Detailed logs and reports capture previously hidden traffic, including threat activity, policy violations, and user behavior. These logs support incident response, forensic investigations, and compliance audits.
Other features do not provide encrypted traffic inspection. VLAN Trunking separates traffic but cannot decrypt or inspect it. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but do not inspect traffic content. DHCP Snooping validates IP assignments but does not analyze encrypted communications.
By implementing SSL Decryption, organizations can maintain visibility, enforce security policies, detect hidden threats, and ensure secure delivery of encrypted traffic. It enables comprehensive inspection, threat detection, and policy enforcement in a secure and compliant manner, making SSL Decryption the correct answer.
Question 223
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides detailed insight into which endpoints and users have interacted with a specific file, helping to assess exposure and remediate threats?
A) File Trajectory
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) File Trajectory
Explanation:
File Trajectory in Cisco Firepower provides administrators with the ability to track the complete lifecycle of a file across the network and endpoints, giving detailed insight into which systems and users have interacted with it. This feature is critical for identifying potential exposure, understanding the scope of threats, and enabling targeted remediation. File Trajectory integrates with Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), Retrospective Security, and Threat Grid to deliver a holistic approach to file monitoring, detection, and incident response.
The feature captures metadata such as the file’s hash, type, size, protocol, source, destination, timestamps, and the devices and users that interacted with the file. Administrators can visualize the file’s movement through the network, determining which endpoints were exposed to potential threats. If a file is later identified as malicious, File Trajectory allows retrospective analysis to pinpoint all impacted systems. This enables targeted remediation actions such as isolating compromised devices, removing malicious files, and updating policies to prevent future incidents.
File Trajectory also enhances incident response by correlating file behavior with endpoint activity. Security teams can identify unusual file activity, such as unexpected execution, replication, or communication with external servers, which could indicate malware or ransomware. Detailed reporting allows organizations to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and provides evidence for forensic investigations. File Trajectory, combined with Retrospective Security, ensures that previously allowed files are reevaluated once new threat intelligence emerges, maintaining continuous protection against evolving threats.
Other options do not provide this level of visibility and correlation. VLAN Segmentation isolates traffic but does not track file behavior. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but cannot monitor or correlate file activity. DHCP Snooping validates IP assignments but does not provide visibility into file movement or exposure.
By leveraging File Trajectory, organizations gain detailed visibility into file movement and endpoint interactions, enhance forensic capabilities, enable precise threat remediation, and maintain continuous protection against malware. It is an essential tool for incident response, retrospective security, and overall network threat management, making File Trajectory the correct answer.
Question 224
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to apply web access policies based on predefined categories such as social media, gambling, or malware distribution?
A) URL Filtering
B) VLAN Segmentation
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) URL Filtering
Explanation:
URL Filtering in Cisco Firepower enables organizations to enforce web access policies by categorizing websites into predefined categories such as social media, gambling, finance, malware distribution, or adult content. This feature is essential for maintaining security, compliance, and productivity by restricting access to inappropriate or high-risk websites. URL Filtering provides administrators with the flexibility to allow, block, or monitor web traffic based on organizational requirements, user identity, network segment, or time of day.
URL Filtering operates by comparing requested URLs against a continuously updated database of categorized websites. Cisco Talos and other threat intelligence sources provide real-time updates to ensure that emerging malicious websites are identified and blocked. Administrators can configure policies in monitoring mode to log access attempts or in enforcement mode to actively deny access. Integration with SSL Decryption ensures that HTTPS traffic is inspected, preventing encrypted connections from bypassing policy enforcement.
The feature supports integration with user identity, allowing policies to be applied based on individual users or groups. For example, employees in marketing may access social media for campaigns while other departments are restricted. URL Filtering can also work alongside Application Visibility and Control (AVC) to manage application-based web access and Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) to inspect files downloaded from websites. Detailed logs and reporting provide insights into user activity, blocked attempts, and policy compliance, supporting forensic investigations and regulatory requirements.
Other options do not provide content-based web filtering. VLAN Segmentation isolates traffic but does not categorize or control web access. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports but cannot inspect or block URLs. DHCP Snooping validates IP assignments but does not manage web access.
By implementing URL Filtering, organizations gain granular control over web activity, improve security by blocking access to malicious or inappropriate websites, and support compliance and productivity objectives. Integration with SSL Decryption, AMP, and AVC ensures comprehensive enforcement across both encrypted and unencrypted traffic, making URL Filtering the correct answer.
Question 225
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to enforce role-based access policies by correlating network activity with user identities?
A) Identity-Based Access Control (IBAC)
B) VLAN Trunking
C) NAT Policies
D) DHCP Snooping
Answer: A) Identity-Based Access Control (IBAC)
Explanation:
Identity-Based Access Control (IBAC) in Cisco Firepower allows administrators to enforce security policies based on user identity rather than solely relying on IP addresses or network segments. In modern networks, users often access resources from multiple devices or locations, and IP-based enforcement may be ineffective. IBAC integrates with identity sources such as Active Directory, LDAP, or RADIUS to map users to network activity, enabling granular, role-based access control that aligns with organizational policies.
IBAC policies allow administrators to control access to applications, websites, and network resources based on user roles or group membership. For example, finance employees may access sensitive financial systems while contractors are restricted to general resources. IBAC works in conjunction with URL Filtering, Application Visibility and Control (AVC), Advanced Malware Protection (AMP), and SSL Decryption to apply user-centric security controls across the network. Traffic associated with specific users can be inspected, blocked, or logged based on risk levels or organizational requirements.
The primary advantage of IBAC is enhanced visibility and accountability. Security teams can correlate events with individual users, improving incident response and compliance. Policies follow users across devices and network segments, ensuring consistent enforcement even in dynamic environments. Reports generated from IBAC provide detailed information on user activity, access attempts, and policy enforcement, supporting forensic investigations, trend analysis, and regulatory compliance.
Other options do not provide identity-based policy enforcement. VLAN Trunking isolates network traffic but cannot differentiate users. NAT Policies translate IP addresses and ports, but do not enforce policies based on identity. DHCP Snooping validates IP assignments but does not correlate traffic with users.
By leveraging IBAC, organizations achieve user-centric security, maintain consistent policy enforcement, enhance visibility into network activity, and improve incident response and compliance. This makes Identity-Based Access Control the correct answer.