Cisco 300-710 Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (300-710 SNCF) Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 4 Q46-60
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Question 46
Which Cisco FTD feature allows administrators to prioritize or limit bandwidth for specific applications or traffic types?
A) Traffic Shaping Policy
B) Access Control Policy
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Traffic Shaping Policy
Explanation:
Traffic Shaping Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense allows administrators to manage network bandwidth effectively by prioritizing critical applications and limiting non-essential traffic. In complex network environments, bandwidth is often shared among multiple users and applications, leading to potential congestion and reduced performance for mission-critical services. Traffic Shaping Policy ensures that essential traffic, such as VoIP, video conferencing, or enterprise applications, receives priority over lower-priority traffic like streaming services or recreational downloads. Administrators can define rules that specify guaranteed minimum bandwidth, maximum allowed bandwidth, and priority levels for different applications or traffic types. This approach ensures network efficiency, prevents congestion, and maintains high performance for business-critical applications while still allowing non-essential traffic within defined limits.
Access Control Policy defines rules for traffic enforcement between zones or interfaces based on IP addresses, ports, and protocols. While essential for network security, Access Control Policy does not provide the ability to control or prioritize bandwidth for specific applications. Its focus is on whether traffic is allowed, blocked, or inspected rather than on optimizing performance or allocating resources.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on categories, domains, or reputation. It is primarily used to prevent access to inappropriate or malicious web content. URL Filtering does not offer granular bandwidth control or prioritization of applications. Although blocking recreational websites may indirectly conserve bandwidth, it does not provide the precise allocation or shaping of traffic that Traffic Shaping Policy delivers.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. While Security Intelligence is valuable for threat mitigation and blocking malicious communication, it does not manage bandwidth or prioritize traffic. Its purpose is network protection rather than performance optimization.
Traffic Shaping Policy is the correct answer because it provides organizations with the ability to optimize network resources by controlling the flow of traffic based on application type, source, destination, or priority. Administrators can ensure that mission-critical applications maintain high performance during peak usage while controlling bandwidth for less critical services. Traffic Shaping Policy integrates with other Cisco Firepower features, such as Access Control Policies, Snort, and File Policy, allowing comprehensive control over network security and performance. The policy enables enforcement of minimum and maximum bandwidth limits, prioritization rules, and dynamic adaptation to changing network conditions. Reporting and monitoring features provide visibility into application usage, traffic patterns, and bandwidth consumption, helping administrators make informed decisions and improve overall network efficiency. Traffic Shaping Policy also allows compliance with organizational or service-level agreements by guaranteeing performance levels for critical services. By balancing protection, efficiency, and performance, Traffic Shaping Policy ensures that networks operate reliably and effectively while maintaining security and usability.
Question 47
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows the network to identify traffic by user or group, regardless of the IP address being used?
A) Identity Policy
B) Access Control Policy
C) URL Filtering
D) Snort
Answer: A) Identity Policy
Explanation:
Identity Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to apply security policies based on user or group identity rather than relying solely on IP addresses. In modern networks, devices are often mobile, and multiple users may share a single IP due to NAT or VPN usage. Identity Policy integrates with authentication systems such as Active Directory or LDAP to map network traffic to individual users or groups. This capability allows granular enforcement of security policies tailored to specific roles or organizational units. For example, administrators can allow finance department users access to sensitive financial applications while restricting access for other users, or they can permit developers to access testing environments without exposing production systems. Identity Policy also supports enforcement of Access Control Policies, URL Filtering, and other inspection engines based on identity rather than IP, enabling consistent and precise security application across dynamic network environments.
Access Control Policy defines rules based on IP addresses, ports, protocols, or zones. While it is essential for network security enforcement, it cannot distinguish traffic based on user identity without the integration of Identity Policy. Access Control Policy alone is insufficient in environments where users or devices frequently change IPs or use shared addresses.
URL Filtering enforces web access restrictions based on content categories, domains, or reputation. Although URL Filtering can apply rules to web traffic, it cannot inherently identify individual users or groups. Without an Identity Policy, web access policies cannot be applied specifically to users or organizational units.
Snort detects network intrusions and attacks using signature-based detection and protocol analysis. While it identifies threats and generates alerts for suspicious traffic, it does not provide per-user or per-group policy enforcement. Snort focuses on network-based detection rather than user identity mapping.
Identity Policy is the correct answer because it provides user- and group-specific policy enforcement, improving security granularity and operational flexibility. By mapping authenticated users to network traffic, Identity Policy allows organizations to enforce role-based access controls, compliance requirements, and dynamic security measures. Integration with Access Control Policy, URL Filtering, and inspection engines ensures that policies are consistently applied to identified users, regardless of IP address. Identity Policy enhances visibility by associating network activity with specific users or groups, supporting auditing, reporting, and monitoring. It is particularly valuable in environments with VPN access, mobile devices, shared workstations, or dynamic addressing. Identity Policy ensures precise enforcement, reduces misconfigurations, and allows organizations to apply security rules aligned with user roles and responsibilities, making it the ideal feature for identity-based traffic control.
Question 48
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides visibility into application usage, bandwidth consumption and enables granular control over applications?
A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
B) URL Filtering
C) Snort
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Explanation:
Application Visibility and Control (AVC) in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense provides detailed insight into applications traversing the network, their bandwidth usage, and the ability to enforce granular policies. AVC identifies applications regardless of the ports or protocols being used, including applications running on dynamic ports or within encrypted tunnels. By using deep packet inspection, behavioral analysis, and contextual intelligence, AVC can differentiate business-critical applications from recreational or unauthorized ones. Administrators can enforce policies that block, allow, or prioritize specific applications based on organizational requirements. For instance, essential collaboration tools may be prioritized to maintain performance, while peer-to-peer file sharing or streaming services may be restricted to conserve bandwidth. AVC reporting features provide detailed visibility into which applications consume the most resources, user engagement patterns, and potential security risks associated with specific applications.
URL Filtering controls web access based on categories, domains, or reputation. While URL Filtering can restrict access to web-based applications, it cannot control non-web applications or applications using non-standard ports. URL Filtering provides content-based control rather than comprehensive application-level insight or bandwidth management.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that analyzes traffic for known attack signatures and exploits. While Snort contributes to security, it does not provide visibility into normal application usage, bandwidth consumption, or the ability to control applications. Its function is threat detection, not performance or application management.
Security Intelligence blocks traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. Although it protects against malicious sources, it does not provide insight into normal application behavior, bandwidth utilization, or the ability to enforce application-level policies. Security Intelligence operates at the network level for threat mitigation rather than for application visibility or control.
AVC is the correct answer because it enables organizations to monitor and manage application usage comprehensively. Administrators can enforce policies to prioritize critical applications, restrict non-essential ones, and allocate bandwidth effectively. By integrating with Access Control Policies, AVC ensures that enforcement is applied consistently across the network. Detailed reporting allows organizations to track usage patterns, identify high-risk applications, and make data-driven decisions for network optimization. AVC supports selective enforcement to minimize disruption to essential business operations while maintaining security and efficiency. By providing application-level visibility and control, AVC addresses modern challenges where traditional port- or protocol-based enforcement is insufficient. It ensures optimized network performance, protects against unauthorized applications, and enhances security by integrating with other inspection engines for a layered defense strategy. The combination of visibility, control, and bandwidth management makes AVC the ideal solution for application-aware network management in Cisco Firepower deployments.
Question 49
Which Cisco FTD feature allows administrators to block access to websites based on content categories, domain reputation, or URLs?
A) URL Filtering
B) Security Intelligence
C) Snort
D) File Policy
Answer: A) URL Filtering
Explanation:
URL Filtering in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to control access to websites based on predefined content categories, specific domain names, or reputation scores. By using URL Filtering, organizations can block access to malicious websites, phishing sites, or categories deemed inappropriate according to corporate policy. URL Filtering uses threat intelligence feeds from sources such as Cisco Talos to dynamically update website categorizations and reputation scores, allowing administrators to protect users from known malicious content while enabling access to legitimate business-related sites. Policies can be applied globally or based on user identity, device, or network segment. For example, administrators can block social media categories for certain departments while allowing collaboration tools required for business operations. URL Filtering also integrates with Firepower Management Center for centralized reporting, logging, and policy enforcement across multiple devices, providing visibility into user web activity and potential risks.
Security Intelligence blocks traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. While it prevents communication with known malicious sources, it does not categorize websites or provide fine-grained control over web content. Security Intelligence focuses on network threat mitigation rather than content control, making it complementary but not a replacement for URL Filtering.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that analyzes network traffic for known attack signatures and anomalies. While Snort is essential for detecting exploits, it does not categorize websites or enforce web access policies based on content categories or URLs. Snort operates at the network layer to identify malicious traffic rather than controlling web content.
File Policy inspects files transmitted over protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB for malware or suspicious behavior. While it helps prevent malicious downloads, it does not control access to websites or categorize web content. File Policy is focused on file-level inspection, not web access management.
URL Filtering is the correct answer because it provides comprehensive control over user access to web resources based on categories, domains, or reputation scores. By combining URL Filtering with identity-based policies, administrators can enforce role-specific web access rules, protecting sensitive systems and ensuring compliance with organizational standards. URL Filtering also supports logging, reporting, and alerting, providing visibility into user web activity and allowing administrators to assess policy effectiveness. The ability to dynamically update site categorizations and reputation ensures that the network adapts to emerging threats, maintaining protection without manual intervention. URL Filtering is particularly effective in organizations where web access policies need to balance security, productivity, and regulatory compliance. Its integration with Firepower Management Center enables centralized deployment, auditing, and enforcement of policies across multiple devices, reducing administrative overhead. By blocking malicious or inappropriate content while allowing necessary web access, URL Filtering strengthens network security, enhances user compliance, and ensures a safer online environment for organizational operations.
Question 50
Which Cisco Firepower feature can detect and prevent lateral movement of malware within a network using behavioral analysis?
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 capable of preventing lateral movement of malware within a network by analyzing files for malicious behavior and patterns. Lateral movement occurs when malware spreads from one system to another within an internal network, often exploiting file shares, email attachments, or network protocols. File Policy inspects files transmitted over HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB to detect malware using both signature-based detection and behavioral analysis. Behavioral analysis identifies suspicious or anomalous activity, such as attempts to execute unknown binaries, modify system files, or propagate via shared folders, allowing proactive blocking before the malware spreads further. Integration with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) provides retrospective scanning, continuous updates, and cloud intelligence to detect previously unknown threats. Administrators can configure File Policy to quarantine, block, or allow files based on their risk profile, effectively mitigating the propagation of malware within the network.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that detects network-based exploits, anomalies, and attack signatures. While Snort can detect suspicious network traffic, it does not analyze the content of files to prevent lateral malware movement. Snort focuses on detecting attacks or exploit patterns at the network level rather than tracking malware propagation within files.
URL Filtering controls web access based on categories, domains, or reputation. While URL Filtering can prevent users from accessing malicious websites that may host malware, it does not inspect internal file transfers or detect lateral movement of malware across internal network resources. Its functionality is limited to web traffic and does not provide file-level behavioral analysis.
Security Intelligence blocks traffic based on IP or domain reputation. Although it can prevent communication with known malicious sources, it does not detect or prevent malware spreading internally through file shares, email, or other protocols. Security Intelligence primarily focuses on external threat prevention rather than internal malware propagation.
File Policy with Malware Detection is the correct answer because it provides a multi-layered defense against malware spreading laterally within a network. By combining signature-based detection and behavioral analysis, File Policy can identify and block suspicious files that may attempt to move between systems or compromise additional endpoints. Administrators can implement policies that target specific file types, protocols, or sources, ensuring that critical business operations continue while malicious content is blocked. Integration with AMP allows retrospective scanning, enabling the detection of malware that may have initially evaded security controls, thereby enhancing overall threat mitigation. File Policy also generates logs, alerts, and reports that provide visibility into file-based threats, user behavior, and potential compromise attempts. This information helps administrators refine policies and improve network security posture. By inspecting files before they reach endpoints and applying behavioral analysis, File Policy with Malware Detection prevents the lateral spread of malware, reduces operational risk, and ensures that the network remains protected against evolving threats. The combination of deep inspection, behavioral analysis, and real-time enforcement makes File Policy essential for defending against malware propagation and maintaining a secure internal network environment.
Question 51
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides centralized management of access control, inspection policies, and security intelligence feeds across multiple devices?
A) Firepower Management Center
B) Snort
C) URL Filtering
D) File Policy
Answer: A) Firepower Management Center
Explanation:
Firepower Management Center (FMC) is the centralized platform for managing Cisco Firepower Threat Defense devices, providing unified control over access policies, inspection engines, and security intelligence feeds. FMC allows administrators to deploy and manage Access Control Policies, Snort rules, File Policy with Malware Detection, URL Filtering, Security Intelligence, and SSL Decryption Policies across multiple devices from a single interface. This centralized management ensures consistency in policy enforcement, reduces configuration errors, and simplifies operational oversight in enterprise networks. FMC aggregates logs, events, and alerts from all managed devices, allowing administrators to monitor network activity, correlate events, and detect patterns indicative of advanced or coordinated threats. Detailed dashboards provide real-time visibility into traffic flows, application usage, security events, and threat mitigation effectiveness.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that identifies network attacks based on signatures and anomalies. While Snort generates alerts and blocks traffic in-line, it does not provide centralized management for multiple devices. Snort’s rules and alerts must be integrated with FMC to gain enterprise-wide visibility and control.
URL Filtering enforces web access policies based on categories, domains, and reputation. It can log events locally, but does not provide centralized management or correlation across multiple Firepower devices. URL Filtering is content-specific and relies on FMC for centralized deployment and oversight.
File Policy inspects files for malware across multiple protocols, detecting and blocking threats in real time. While it is critical for protecting endpoints, it does not offer centralized management of policies, access controls, or security intelligence feeds across multiple devices. File Policy operates locally on devices unless managed via FMC.
Firepower Management Center is the correct answer because it enables administrators to manage and enforce security consistently across a distributed network. FMC provides centralized configuration, reporting, event correlation, and visibility, ensuring that policies are applied uniformly and that security intelligence feeds are up-to-date across all devices. Administrators can use FMC to deploy updates to Snort rules, configure File Policies, manage URL Filtering, and enforce Access Control Policies without needing to configure each device individually. The ability to correlate events from multiple engines allows for the detection of complex attacks that might be missed when devices operate in isolation. FMC also supports auditing, compliance reporting, and historical analysis, providing critical insight into organizational security posture. By consolidating management and monitoring into a single platform, FMC reduces operational complexity, enhances threat detection, and ensures consistent enforcement of security controls across the enterprise network. Its integration with all Firepower engines makes it an indispensable tool for enterprise-scale deployments, enabling proactive security management and optimized network operations.
Question 52
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows detection of threats based on protocol anomalies and unexpected traffic behavior?
A) Snort
B) File Policy
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Snort
Explanation:
Snort in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense is the primary engine responsible for detecting threats using both signature-based detection and protocol anomaly analysis. Unlike basic firewall functions that allow or block traffic solely based on IP addresses, ports, and protocols, Snort examines packet-level behavior to identify suspicious activities and deviations from expected protocol behavior. Protocol anomalies can include improper header sequences, unexpected flags, malformed packets, or irregular communication patterns that may indicate a network attack, malware, or an intrusion attempt. By analyzing traffic for both known attack signatures and anomalous behavior, Snort provides a proactive detection layer capable of identifying previously unknown threats. This is especially critical in modern networks where attackers attempt to bypass security controls by using legitimate protocols in unintended ways. Administrators can configure custom Snort rules or use predefined Cisco Talos signature sets to detect specific attacks, ensuring that network security aligns with organizational requirements. Integration with Firepower Management Center enables centralized monitoring, reporting, and correlation of events, allowing administrators to respond rapidly to detected anomalies and potential threats.
File Policy inspects files transferred over protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB for malware or suspicious behavior. While File Policy contributes to threat mitigation, it focuses on file content rather than network protocol anomalies. File Policy identifies malicious payloads within files but does not detect irregular network traffic patterns or protocol misuse.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on content categories, domains, or reputation. While URL Filtering can block access to malicious or inappropriate websites, it does not analyze network packets or detect protocol anomalies. Its primary function is web content control rather than network-level threat detection.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on IP addresses, domains, or URLs identified as malicious. Although effective for preventing communication with known threats, Security Intelligence does not examine traffic for protocol anomalies or behavior patterns. Its focus is reputation-based threat mitigation rather than network behavior analysis.
Snort is the correct answer because it provides comprehensive detection capabilities that include both signature-based detection and protocol anomaly inspection. By examining packets at a granular level, Snort can identify attempts to exploit network vulnerabilities, detect zero-day attacks, and monitor for unusual traffic behavior that may indicate an attack in progress. Administrators can tune rules to reduce false positives, focus on high-priority threats, and apply Snort inline to block malicious traffic automatically. Snort’s anomaly detection complements other Firepower engines, such as File Policy, URL Filtering, and Security Intelligence, creating a multi-layered defense strategy. Integration with Firepower Management Center enhances visibility, reporting, and centralized policy enforcement, enabling organizations to maintain proactive network security. The ability to detect protocol anomalies is particularly valuable in complex enterprise networks where attackers may use unconventional techniques to bypass traditional port- and IP-based controls. By combining signature detection and behavioral analysis, Snort ensures that both known and emerging threats are identified and mitigated in real time, protecting critical systems and maintaining network integrity.
Question 53
Which Cisco Firepower feature enables organizations to enforce policies based on the identity of users or groups, integrating with authentication services?
A) Identity Policy
B) URL Filtering
C) Snort
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Identity Policy
Explanation:
Identity Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense allows administrators to enforce security policies based on user or group identity rather than relying on IP addresses alone. Modern networks frequently use dynamic IP assignments, NAT, VPNs, and mobile devices, making IP-based enforcement insufficient. Identity Policy integrates with authentication services such as Active Directory or LDAP to associate network traffic with specific users or groups. This capability allows granular policy enforcement, such as restricting access to sensitive resources based on department membership or user roles. For example, IT administrators can ensure that finance department employees have access to financial systems while preventing access to HR data, and developers can access testing environments without touching production servers. Identity Policy can work in conjunction with Access Control Policies, URL Filtering, and other inspection engines to apply rules dynamically based on identity, improving both security and operational efficiency. It also provides visibility into which users are generating network traffic, supporting auditing, reporting, and compliance requirements.
URL Filtering enforces web access restrictions based on categories, domains, or reputation. While URL Filtering can control web activity, it does not inherently identify individual users or groups without integration with Identity Policy. URL Filtering focuses on web content rather than user identity-based enforcement.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that analyzes network traffic for attack signatures and anomalies. Although Snort generates alerts for malicious activity, it does not apply security policies based on user or group identity. Snort’s function is threat detection at the network level rather than identity-based control.
Security Intelligence blocks traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. While effective for preventing communication with known malicious sources, it does not differentiate traffic based on user or group identity. Security Intelligence is designed for dynamic threat mitigation rather than personalized policy enforcement.
Identity Policy is the correct answer because it enables user- and group-specific policy enforcement across dynamic network environments. By mapping authenticated users to network traffic, Identity Policy allows administrators to enforce role-based controls, regulatory compliance measures, and dynamic security policies. Integration with Access Control Policies, URL Filtering, and inspection engines ensures that rules are consistently applied based on identity. Administrators gain visibility into user behavior, supporting auditing, compliance reporting, and proactive threat detection. Identity Policy is particularly valuable in organizations with mobile devices, VPNs, and shared workstations, where IP-based enforcement is ineffective. Its ability to provide granular, user-focused security enforcement reduces risk, improves operational efficiency, and ensures that network policies align with organizational roles and responsibilities, making it essential for identity-aware access management in Cisco Firepower deployments.
Question 54
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to inspect files for malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats across multiple protocols?
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 allows administrators to inspect files transmitted over multiple protocols—including HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB—for malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). This feature provides both signature-based detection and behavioral analysis to identify known and unknown threats in real time. By inspecting files before they reach endpoints, File Policy prevents malware from executing and spreading laterally within the network. Integration with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) enhances detection capabilities with retrospective scanning, continuous updates, and global threat intelligence. Administrators can configure rules to block, allow, or quarantine files based on type, source, protocol, or risk level, providing granular control over file security and protecting critical systems from compromise. File Policy also supports logging and reporting, enabling administrators to track detected threats, analyze file-related events, and ensure compliance with organizational or regulatory standards.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that inspects network traffic for known attack signatures and protocol anomalies. While Snort detects exploits, it does not perform in-depth inspection of files transmitted across multiple protocols for malware, ransomware, or APTs. Snort focuses on network-level detection rather than file-level content analysis.
URL Filtering enforces access control for web traffic based on categories, domains, or reputation. Although URL Filtering can block malicious websites and prevent downloads from risky sites, it does not inspect file content for malware or analyze file behavior across multiple protocols. Its scope is primarily web content rather than comprehensive file-level protection.
Security Intelligence blocks traffic based on reputation information for IP addresses, domains, or URLs. While useful for preventing communication with known malicious sources, it does not inspect the contents of files or detect malware embedded within them. Security Intelligence focuses on reputation-based threat mitigation rather than proactive file inspection.
File Policy with Malware Detection is the correct answer because it provides comprehensive protection against malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats. By combining signature-based detection with behavioral analysis and integrating with AMP, File Policy ensures that both known and unknown threats are identified and mitigated before they can compromise endpoints or spread within the network. Administrators can enforce granular policies to balance security and operational continuity, ensuring business-critical file transfers proceed safely while risky files are blocked or quarantined. Logging and reporting capabilities provide visibility into threats, supporting auditing, compliance, and informed decision-making for security teams. File Policy addresses modern security challenges, including encrypted protocols, multi-vector attacks, and lateral malware movement, making it essential for maintaining a secure and resilient enterprise network. The combination of deep inspection, real-time enforcement, and integration with other Firepower engines ensures that threats are effectively contained and critical assets are protected.
Question 55
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows granular control of applications by identifying their type, function, and behavior, regardless of port or protocol?
A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
B) Access Control Policy
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Explanation:
Application Visibility and Control (AVC) in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense provides administrators with the ability to identify, monitor, and enforce policies on applications regardless of the ports or protocols they use. Modern applications often operate on dynamic or non-standard ports and can use encryption to bypass traditional security controls, making port-based enforcement insufficient. AVC uses deep packet inspection, behavioral analysis, and contextual intelligence to determine the actual application being used. This allows organizations to implement fine-grained policies that allow critical applications while restricting non-essential or high-risk applications. AVC can also prioritize certain traffic to ensure business-critical applications maintain performance while limiting bandwidth for recreational or unauthorized applications. Reporting capabilities provide visibility into application usage, helping administrators understand bandwidth consumption patterns, assess security risks, and make informed decisions regarding network optimization.
Access Control Policy defines rules to allow, block, or inspect traffic based on IP addresses, ports, protocols, and zones. While it is critical for enforcing network security, it does not provide application-level visibility or identification of traffic using non-standard ports. Without AVC, Access Control Policy cannot distinguish between applications using the same protocol but different behaviors, limiting enforcement granularity.
URL Filtering restricts access to websites based on domain categories, URLs, or reputation. It is web-centric and cannot control or inspect non-web applications. Although URL Filtering complements AVC by restricting web-based applications, it cannot identify or prioritize applications beyond web traffic.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. It prevents access to known malicious sources but does not identify or enforce policies on specific applications. Security Intelligence operates at a network or threat level rather than at the application layer.
AVC is the correct answer because it provides application-aware visibility and enforcement, allowing organizations to control and monitor applications in a way that traditional port-based security cannot. By using deep inspection, AVC can identify applications running on dynamic ports, encrypted channels, or tunneled protocols, ensuring accurate policy enforcement. Integration with Access Control Policies allows administrators to enforce allow, block, or priority rules at the application level, optimizing both security and network performance. Reporting features provide insights into application usage patterns, helping to manage bandwidth and enforce organizational policies. AVC also enhances security by enabling detection of unauthorized or high-risk applications that may pose a threat to the network. Its granular control and real-time monitoring capabilities make AVC essential for modern enterprise networks where traditional firewall rules are insufficient for comprehensive application control.
Question 56
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides real-time threat prevention by blocking traffic from IP addresses, domains, or URLs identified as malicious?
A) Security Intelligence
B) Snort
C) URL Filtering
D) File Policy
Answer: A) Security Intelligence
Explanation:
Security Intelligence in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense allows administrators to enforce real-time blocking of traffic from IP addresses, domains, or URLs identified as malicious. This feature leverages dynamic threat intelligence feeds, including those from Cisco Talos, to identify and mitigate threats such as botnet command-and-control communication, phishing sites, and malware distribution points. Security Intelligence helps prevent exposure to known threats without requiring manual updates to firewall rules, providing proactive defense against evolving threats. Administrators can integrate Security Intelligence feeds into Access Control Policies to automatically block, allow, or trust traffic based on threat reputation, enabling consistent enforcement across multiple Firepower devices. Reporting and logging features provide visibility into blocked traffic, enabling analysis of threat patterns and effectiveness of policy enforcement.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine responsible for detecting attacks using signature-based and anomaly detection. While Snort identifies and blocks exploit attempts, it does not dynamically block traffic based on threat intelligence reputation. Snort focuses on detection rather than proactive, real-time blocking based on IP or domain reputation.
URL Filtering restricts access to websites based on content categories, URLs, or domain reputation. Although URL Filtering can prevent access to malicious websites, it primarily targets web traffic and does not provide comprehensive IP-based threat blocking. URL Filtering cannot protect against all malicious endpoints, particularly non-web services.
File Policy inspects files transmitted over protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB for malware, ransomware, and advanced threats. While effective for detecting malicious files, it does not block traffic from known malicious IP addresses or domains before files are downloaded or transmitted. File Policy focuses on content inspection rather than network reputation-based prevention.
Security Intelligence is the correct answer because it provides proactive, real-time threat mitigation by blocking traffic from known malicious sources. Integration with Access Control Policies allows administrators to enforce dynamic blocking automatically, reducing exposure to malware, phishing, and botnet activity. Security Intelligence feeds are continuously updated, ensuring protection against emerging threats. Administrators can configure rules based on severity or category of threat, giving granular control over network enforcement. Logging and reporting provide insights into attack attempts, helping refine security policies and track threat mitigation effectiveness. Security Intelligence enhances overall network defense by complementing other Firepower engines, including Snort, File Policy, and URL Filtering, creating a multi-layered security strategy. By blocking traffic from malicious IPs, domains, and URLs, Security Intelligence ensures that network communications remain secure and reduces the risk of compromise. Its ability to operate in real time and dynamically adapt to evolving threats makes it an essential component of modern Cisco Firepower deployments, providing automated threat prevention while minimizing administrative overhead.
Question 57
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows inspection and blocking of files containing malware, ransomware, or unknown threats across multiple protocols?
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 provides inspection and blocking of files transmitted across multiple protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB, to prevent malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats from reaching endpoints. This feature combines signature-based detection, behavioral analysis, and integration with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) to identify both known and unknown threats in real time. Behavioral analysis detects anomalies such as suspicious file behavior, attempts to propagate laterally within the network, or execution of previously unseen binaries. Administrators can configure File Policy to block, allow, or quarantine files based on protocol, type, source, or risk score. By inspecting files before they reach endpoints, File Policy mitigates the spread of malware and reduces the potential for operational disruption caused by infected files. Logging, alerting, and reporting provide visibility into file transfers, malware detection, and policy enforcement, supporting auditing, compliance, and risk assessment.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine that detects network-based attacks using signatures and anomaly detection. While Snort is effective in detecting network-level threats, it does not inspect file content for malware, ransomware, or unknown threats. Its focus is on traffic behavior rather than file-level analysis.
URL Filtering restricts access to websites based on content categories, domains, or reputation. Although URL Filtering can block sites that distribute malicious files, it cannot inspect or block the files themselves. Its scope is limited to web traffic and content-based control rather than comprehensive file-level inspection.
Security Intelligence blocks or allows traffic based on IP, domain, or URL reputation. While it prevents communication with known malicious sources, it does not analyze file content or behavior for malware or unknown threats. Its functionality is network-level threat prevention rather than file-level inspection.
File Policy with Malware Detection is the correct answer because it provides comprehensive file inspection across multiple protocols, identifying both known and unknown threats before they compromise endpoints. By combining signature detection with behavioral analysis, it can detect zero-day malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats. Integration with AMP ensures continuous updates, retrospective scanning, and enhanced threat intelligence. Administrators can enforce granular policies to allow business-critical file transfers while blocking risky or suspicious content. File Policy also supports monitoring, logging, and reporting to track threats, analyze risk, and ensure compliance. Its ability to prevent malware propagation, protect endpoints, and maintain operational continuity makes it a critical layer of security within Cisco Firepower deployments. By providing deep inspection, proactive blocking, and integration with other security engines, File Policy with Malware Detection ensures a robust and multi-layered defense against file-based threats.
Question 58
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows decryption of SSL/TLS traffic to inspect encrypted content for threats and enforce security policies?
A) SSL Decryption Policy
B) URL Filtering
C) File Policy
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) SSL Decryption Policy
Explanation:
SSL Decryption Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to inspect encrypted SSL/TLS traffic, providing visibility into content that would otherwise bypass security controls. With the increasing adoption of HTTPS for web applications, attackers often exploit encrypted traffic to hide malware, phishing attempts, or command-and-control communications. By deploying SSL Decryption Policy, Firepower can decrypt, inspect, and re-encrypt traffic, allowing other inspection engines such as Snort, File Policy with Malware Detection, URL Filtering, and Security Intelligence to analyze the decrypted content. Administrators can configure selective decryption rules to target specific IP addresses, domains, or user groups while bypassing trusted business applications to prevent disruption of critical operations. This selective approach balances security enforcement with operational continuity.
URL Filtering controls access to websites based on content categories, URLs, or domain reputation. While URL Filtering benefits from decrypted traffic for inspection, it cannot perform decryption itself. Without SSL Decryption Policy, URL Filtering cannot inspect encrypted content, limiting its ability to block malicious or inappropriate sites.
File Policy inspects files transmitted over HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB for malware or advanced threats. File Policy relies on SSL Decryption Policy to access the contents of encrypted HTTPS traffic. Without decryption, File Policy can only inspect unencrypted protocols or metadata, leaving threats hidden within encrypted payloads undetected.
Security Intelligence blocks traffic based on IP, domain, or URL reputation. Although Security Intelligence can prevent connections to malicious sources, it does not decrypt traffic to allow deeper inspection. Without SSL Decryption Policy, Security Intelligence can only act on visible network metadata rather than inspecting encrypted payloads for threats.
SSL Decryption Policy is the correct answer because it provides visibility into encrypted traffic, allowing the enforcement of comprehensive security policies. By decrypting only selected traffic, administrators can prevent disruption to trusted business applications while enabling inspection of high-risk or untrusted connections. Integration with other Firepower engines ensures that decrypted traffic is analyzed for malware, exploits, inappropriate content, and reputation-based threats. SSL Decryption Policy supports logging and reporting, providing visibility into decrypted traffic, blocked threats, and policy enforcement outcomes. This capability enhances overall security posture by closing blind spots created by encrypted traffic, which attackers frequently exploit to evade detection. Administrators can configure decryption policies to bypass sensitive or privacy-related traffic, comply with regulations, and maintain operational continuity. By enabling inspection of previously opaque encrypted traffic, SSL Decryption Policy strengthens threat detection, supports compliance requirements, and ensures that encrypted communications do not become a vector for malware, exploits, or unauthorized access. Its real-time decryption and selective enforcement capabilities make it an essential feature for modern enterprise networks where encryption is pervasive.
Question 59
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides detailed reporting and centralized management of multiple Firepower devices for policy enforcement and event correlation?
A) Firepower Management Center
B) Snort
C) URL Filtering
D) File Policy
Answer: A) Firepower Management Center
Explanation:
Firepower Management Center (FMC) is the centralized platform for managing Cisco Firepower Threat Defense devices, providing unified deployment of policies, monitoring, and event correlation. FMC allows administrators to configure Access Control Policies, Snort rules, File Policies, URL Filtering, Security Intelligence feeds, SSL Decryption, and Application Visibility and Control across multiple devices from a single interface. This centralization ensures consistent policy enforcement, reduces misconfigurations, and simplifies operational management in large-scale deployments. FMC aggregates logs, alerts, and events from all managed devices, providing a comprehensive view of network activity and threat mitigation effectiveness. Real-time dashboards offer visibility into security events, traffic patterns, and application usage, while historical reports allow trend analysis, compliance auditing, and risk assessment.
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine used for detecting exploits and protocol anomalies. While Snort generates alerts and can block malicious traffic inline, it does not provide centralized management, correlation, or reporting across multiple devices. Integration with FMC is required for enterprise-wide monitoring.
URL Filtering enforces web access policies based on categories, domains, or reputation. Although it can generate logs and block web traffic, it does not manage multiple Firepower devices or correlate events centrally. Its functionality is limited to content control rather than comprehensive network management.
File Policy inspects files for malware or suspicious behavior over multiple protocols. While it provides endpoint protection and logging for file-based threats, it does not offer centralized management or reporting across multiple devices. File Policy operates locally unless managed via FMC.
Firepower Management Center is the correct answer because it enables administrators to enforce policies consistently across all managed Firepower devices, correlate events from multiple security engines, and monitor network security in real time. Centralized dashboards and reports provide visibility into policy effectiveness, user behavior, application usage, and threat mitigation. FMC allows updates to Snort rules, Security Intelligence feeds, File Policies, and SSL Decryption rules to be deployed simultaneously across devices, ensuring uniform security enforcement. Event correlation capabilities help detect multi-stage attacks, persistent threats, or coordinated malicious activity that could otherwise be missed. Logging and reporting provide audit trails and regulatory compliance documentation. By consolidating management, monitoring, and reporting into a single interface, FMC reduces operational complexity, enhances security visibility, and improves response times to emerging threats. This makes it indispensable for enterprise networks where multiple Firepower devices are deployed across distributed environments.
Question 60
Which Cisco Firepower feature enables detection and blocking of network-based exploits using signatures and protocol anomaly analysis?
A) Snort
B) File Policy
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Snort
Explanation:
Snort is the intrusion detection and prevention engine in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense that analyzes network traffic for known exploits and protocol anomalies. It uses signature-based detection to identify attacks such as buffer overflows, SQL injection, cross-site scripting, malware command-and-control communications, and other network-based threats. In addition to signatures, Snort analyzes network behavior for anomalies in protocol usage, including unexpected header flags, malformed packets, and irregular traffic sequences, enabling detection of previously unknown threats. Administrators can customize rules to match organizational requirements or use predefined Cisco Talos rules to maintain up-to-date protection against emerging threats. Snort can operate in-line to block malicious traffic automatically or in detection-only mode to generate alerts for investigation. Its integration with Access Control Policies ensures consistent enforcement and complements other Firepower engines for a layered security strategy.
File Policy inspects files transmitted over HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB for malware, ransomware, and advanced threats. While File Policy protects endpoints from file-based threats, it does not analyze network traffic for exploits or protocol anomalies. File Policy focuses on content-level inspection rather than network-level attack detection.
URL Filtering controls web access based on categories, domains, or reputation. Although URL Filtering can block malicious websites, it does not inspect traffic for network-based exploit signatures or protocol anomalies. Its functionality is limited to web content control.
Security Intelligence blocks traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. While effective at preventing communication with known malicious sources, it does not detect network-level exploit signatures or anomalies in traffic behavior. Security Intelligence focuses on proactive threat mitigation using reputation data rather than analyzing network traffic content.
Snort is the correct answer because it provides comprehensive detection and prevention of network-based threats using both signature and anomaly analysis. Its deep packet inspection ensures that attacks hidden within legitimate protocols are detected and mitigated. Integration with Firepower Management Center enables centralized management, rule deployment, and event correlation, improving visibility and response to threats. By identifying exploits and protocol anomalies, Snort enhances network security, reduces exposure to zero-day attacks, and provides an essential layer of defense alongside File Policy, URL Filtering, and Security Intelligence. Administrators can tune Snort rules to reduce false positives, prioritize critical threat detection, and enforce blocking actions in real time. Snort’s combination of signature-based detection, anomaly analysis, and centralized monitoring makes it a fundamental security engine for protecting enterprise networks against sophisticated attacks.