Cisco 300-710 Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (300-710 SNCF) Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 8 Q106-120
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Question 106
Which Cisco Firepower feature enables administrators to block or allow traffic based on known malicious IP addresses, domains, or URLs by leveraging continuously updated threat intelligence feeds?
A) Security Intelligence
B) File Policy
C) Snort
D) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Answer: A) Security Intelligence
Explanation:
Security Intelligence in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to proactively block or allow network traffic based on the reputation of IP addresses, domains, or URLs. This feature relies on continuously updated threat intelligence feeds, often sourced from Cisco Talos, to identify malicious endpoints, botnets, phishing servers, command-and-control infrastructure, and other known sources of network attacks. By leveraging these feeds, Security Intelligence can prevent communication with high-risk entities before threats reach internal resources, providing proactive protection against malware, phishing, and exploitation attempts.
Administrators can configure Security Intelligence to operate inline within Access Control Policies or in a monitoring mode to generate alerts. This allows real-time enforcement or observation of network traffic based on reputation indicators. The intelligence can be applied globally, per interface, or segmented by traffic type, enabling tailored threat mitigation strategies for different network segments or applications. Logging and reporting provide detailed insights into blocked traffic, threat trends, and policy effectiveness, supporting operational monitoring, auditing, and compliance.
File Policy inspects files for malware, ransomware, and advanced threats transmitted over protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB. While critical for content-level security, File Policy does not provide proactive IP, domain, or URL reputation-based blocking and cannot prevent communication with malicious endpoints before traffic enters the network.
Snort is an intrusion detection and prevention system (IDS/IPS) that identifies exploits, anomalies, and protocol violations through signature-based and behavioral detection. Although it can block traffic inline, it does not use reputation-based threat intelligence feeds for proactive blocking. Its primary focus is attack detection and behavioral anomaly recognition rather than reputation enforcement.
Application Visibility and Control (AVC) identifies and manages applications on the network, allowing administrators to block, allow, or prioritize application traffic in real time. While AVC provides application-level control, it does not enforce blocking based on IP, domain, or URL reputation, and it relies on other engines like Security Intelligence to address endpoint reputation threats.
Security Intelligence is the correct answer because it provides proactive, reputation-based blocking of malicious sources, complementing other Firepower engines to create a multi-layered defense strategy. By integrating with Access Control Policies, administrators can enforce consistent threat mitigation across all network interfaces, protocols, and traffic types. Real-time updates ensure that emerging threats are blocked automatically without manual intervention, reducing the risk of compromise. Logging and reporting provide operational visibility into blocked traffic, detected threats, and policy enforcement, supporting compliance and decision-making. Security Intelligence enhances enterprise security by enabling proactive mitigation of network-based threats, preventing communication with malicious endpoints, and integrating with other Firepower engines like Snort, File Policy, URL Filtering, SSL Decryption, and AVC. This integration ensures a comprehensive approach to threat detection, prevention, and mitigation, strengthening the overall security posture while maintaining network performance and operational efficiency. By leveraging continuously updated threat intelligence, organizations can reduce exposure to known malicious entities, protect sensitive resources, and ensure adaptive, context-aware network security in dynamic enterprise environments. Security Intelligence is therefore essential for proactive threat management, multi-layered defense, and maintaining resilience against evolving cyber threats while complementing application, content, and network-level controls within Firepower.
Question 107
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to prioritize, block, or monitor network applications, even when applications use encryption, tunneling, or dynamic ports?
A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
B) Snort
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Explanation:
Application Visibility and Control (AVC) in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense allows administrators to identify and manage applications in real time, regardless of whether they use encryption, tunneling, or dynamic ports. AVC uses deep packet inspection, behavioral analysis, and signature-based detection to accurately classify applications, enabling enforcement of policies such as allowing, blocking, or prioritizing traffic based on business-critical needs. This capability is essential for modern enterprise networks where traditional port-based controls are insufficient due to dynamic and encrypted application traffic.
AVC allows administrators to prioritize bandwidth for critical applications, restrict non-essential or unauthorized applications, and monitor application usage trends for operational insight. Integration with other Firepower engines enhances its effectiveness: SSL Decryption enables inspection of encrypted traffic, File Policy scans files transmitted by applications, Snort detects threats associated with application traffic, URL Filtering controls web-based applications, and Security Intelligence blocks communication with malicious sources. Logging and reporting provide detailed visibility into application usage, enforcement actions, and policy compliance, supporting operational monitoring and security auditing.
Snort is an intrusion detection and prevention engine that identifies exploits, anomalies, and protocol violations. While Snort is critical for network threat detection, it does not provide application-level control or the ability to prioritize, block, or monitor applications using dynamic ports or encryption.
URL Filtering categorizes websites and enforces web access policies. Although it can block web-based applications, it does not provide comprehensive control over all network applications or handle encrypted and tunneled traffic effectively.
Security Intelligence blocks traffic from known malicious IPs, domains, or URLs based on reputation feeds. While it prevents communication with malicious sources, it does not provide detailed identification, prioritization, or control of legitimate applications.
AVC is the correct answer because it enables organizations to enforce application-aware security policies, providing visibility and control over both web and non-web applications. By integrating with SSL Decryption, File Policy, Snort, URL Filtering, and Security Intelligence, AVC ensures that encrypted, tunneled, and dynamically ported applications are accurately identified and managed. This allows administrators to optimize network performance, enforce security policies, and maintain compliance while mitigating risks associated with unauthorized or high-risk applications. AVC provides real-time monitoring, granular policy enforcement, and operational intelligence, making it an essential component for modern, application-centric enterprise networks. By enabling adaptive, context-aware application management, AVC enhances security, operational efficiency, and network resilience against evolving threats.
Question 108
Which Cisco Firepower feature provides deep inspection of network traffic for malware, ransomware, and advanced threats, including the ability to revisit previously analyzed files when new threat intelligence emerges?
A) File Policy with Retrospective Analysis
B) Snort
C) Security Intelligence
D) URL Filtering
Answer: A) File Policy with Retrospective Analysis
Explanation:
File Policy with Retrospective Analysis in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense provides deep inspection of network traffic for malware, ransomware, and advanced threats across multiple protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB. It combines real-time content inspection with the ability to re-analyze previously inspected files when new threat intelligence or malware signatures become available. This retrospective analysis ensures that previously transmitted files that were considered safe are continuously monitored and flagged if later identified as malicious. This capability is critical for defending against zero-day threats, polymorphic malware, and advanced persistent threats that may evade initial detection.
Administrators can configure policies to allow, block, or quarantine files based on file type, protocol, source, or risk level. Integration with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) enhances detection using signature-based, behavioral, and heuristic analysis. File Policy with Retrospective Analysis also integrates with other Firepower engines: SSL Decryption enables inspection of encrypted file transfers, Snort provides network-level detection of anomalies, URL Filtering controls access to malicious websites, Security Intelligence blocks communication with known malicious endpoints, and AVC ensures application-level visibility and enforcement. Centralized management through Firepower Management Center allows administrators to deploy consistent policies, monitor enforcement, generate detailed logs, and produce actionable reports.
Snort detects network-based exploits and anomalies but does not inspect file contents or support retrospective re-analysis of previously transferred files. URL Filtering categorizes websites and controls web access but does not inspect file content for malware or perform retrospective evaluation. Security Intelligence blocks traffic from known malicious IPs, domains, or URLs but does not inspect files or provide re-analysis capabilities.
File Policy with Retrospective Analysis is the correct answer because it delivers adaptive, content-level threat protection across multiple protocols, ensuring that both real-time and previously transmitted files are continuously evaluated against updated threat intelligence. This feature enhances enterprise security by mitigating risks from malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats, ensuring compliance, operational visibility, and resilience against evolving threats. Integration with other Firepower engines provides multi-layered security, while logging, reporting, and centralized management facilitate policy enforcement, auditing, and strategic decision-making. File Policy with Retrospective Analysis allows organizations to maintain proactive, comprehensive, and adaptive network security, protecting sensitive data, endpoints, and critical applications from both known and emerging threats.
Question 109
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to enforce security policies on network traffic, combining multiple inspection engines such as intrusion detection, malware scanning, URL filtering, application control, and SSL decryption into a single framework?
A) Access Control Policy
B) SSL Decryption Policy
C) Security Intelligence
D) Identity-Based Access Control
Answer: A) Access Control Policy
Explanation:
Access Control Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense provides administrators with a centralized mechanism to enforce comprehensive security policies on network traffic. This feature integrates multiple inspection engines into a single framework, allowing organizations to implement multi-layered security controls efficiently. Engines incorporated into Access Control Policy include Snort for intrusion detection and prevention, File Policy for malware and ransomware inspection, URL Filtering for web content categorization and control, Application Visibility and Control (AVC) for application monitoring, Security Intelligence for blocking known malicious sources, and SSL Decryption for inspecting encrypted traffic. The integration ensures that traffic is subjected to thorough inspection and enforcement, addressing threats at multiple levels.
Administrators can define rules that consider source and destination IP addresses, protocols, applications, user identity, and other contextual factors. Policies can differentiate between internal, external, and remote users, providing adaptive security enforcement. Access Control Policies also support exceptions for trusted traffic, prioritization of critical applications, and enforcement of time-based or identity-aware rules when combined with Identity-Based Access Control (IBAC). Logging and reporting provide detailed visibility into policy enforcement, detected threats, and engine performance, supporting operational monitoring, auditing, and regulatory compliance.
SSL Decryption Policy focuses exclusively on decrypting encrypted traffic to enable inspection by other engines. While essential for visibility, SSL Decryption does not enforce policies across multiple inspection engines or provide holistic traffic control. It operates as a component within an Access Control Policy rather than as a standalone enforcement mechanism.
Security Intelligence blocks traffic from IPs, domains, or URLs identified as malicious using reputation-based threat intelligence. While valuable for proactive threat mitigation, Security Intelligence does not integrate multiple engines or provide comprehensive, context-aware enforcement across network traffic.
Identity-Based Access Control enforces policies based on user identity, group membership, and time. Although it adds fine-grained, context-aware control when integrated with Access Control Policies, IBAC alone does not provide multi-engine traffic inspection or enforcement.
Access Control Policy is the correct answer because it serves as the central framework for implementing multi-layered security within Firepower. By combining multiple engines, it provides a unified mechanism to inspect, monitor, allow, or block traffic based on application, content, network, and user context. It ensures that encrypted traffic, malicious files, network anomalies, unauthorized applications, and risky web activity are all inspected and enforced according to organizational security requirements. Administrators benefit from the ability to adapt policies to evolving threats, balance operational performance with security, and maintain consistent enforcement across multiple devices and network segments. Access Control Policy also supports operational resilience, ensuring that critical business applications remain available while enforcing robust security across the enterprise. Through centralized management, logging, reporting, and integration with multi-layered engines, Access Control Policy enables proactive threat mitigation, continuous monitoring, and informed decision-making. It is foundational to Firepower’s security architecture, enabling organizations to implement comprehensive, adaptive, and context-aware defenses against modern cyber threats, including malware, ransomware, phishing, exploits, and unauthorized application usage. By unifying traffic enforcement across all engines and contexts, Access Control Policy ensures that network security is both effective and manageable, addressing both known and emerging threats while maintaining compliance and operational continuity.
Question 110
Which Cisco Firepower feature inspects files transmitted across multiple protocols and allows previously inspected files to be re-analyzed if new threats are discovered, enhancing protection against advanced malware?
A) File Policy with Retrospective Analysis
B) Snort
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) File Policy with Retrospective Analysis
Explanation:
File Policy with Retrospective Analysis in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to inspect files transmitted over protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB for malware, ransomware, and advanced threats. Unlike standard file inspection, Retrospective Analysis allows previously inspected files to be re-analyzed when new threat intelligence or malware signatures become available. This ensures that files initially considered safe can be flagged and mitigated if they are later identified as malicious, providing protection against zero-day attacks, polymorphic malware, and advanced persistent threats.
Administrators can configure policies to allow, block, or quarantine files based on file type, source, protocol, or risk assessment. Integration with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) enhances detection capabilities through signature-based, behavioral, and heuristic analysis. File Policy with Retrospective Analysis also integrates with other Firepower engines: SSL Decryption ensures visibility into encrypted file transfers, Snort detects network-based anomalies associated with file traffic, URL Filtering prevents access to malicious websites distributing files, Security Intelligence blocks communication with known malicious endpoints, and AVC monitors application usage related to file transfers. Centralized management through Firepower Management Center provides consistent deployment, logging, reporting, and operational insight.
Snort is an intrusion detection and prevention system that focuses on network-based exploits and anomalies but does not inspect file contents or provide retrospective re-analysis of previously transferred files. URL Filtering categorizes websites and manages web access but does not inspect file content or provide retroactive analysis. Security Intelligence blocks traffic from known malicious sources but does not analyze files for malware or perform retrospective inspection.
File Policy with Retrospective Analysis is the correct answer because it provides adaptive, content-level protection that ensures both real-time and previously transferred files are continuously evaluated against updated threat intelligence. This feature is critical for defending against advanced malware and persistent threats, providing organizations with proactive threat mitigation and operational visibility. By integrating with other Firepower engines, File Policy with Retrospective Analysis enables a multi-layered defense strategy that protects against emerging threats while maintaining compliance and operational efficiency. Logging, reporting, and centralized management ensure that administrators can monitor enforcement, detect trends, and respond quickly to new threats. This feature strengthens enterprise network resilience, safeguards sensitive data, and enhances overall security posture. Its ability to re-analyze files based on evolving threat intelligence makes it indispensable for modern security operations, ensuring continuous protection and adaptive response to sophisticated malware campaigns.
Question 111
Which Cisco Firepower feature categorizes and controls web traffic, enabling organizations to block malicious sites, enforce user-specific access, and integrate with identity and application controls?
A) URL Filtering
B) Snort
C) Security Intelligence
D) File Policy
Answer: A) URL Filtering
Explanation:
URL Filtering in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to categorize web traffic, enforce access policies, and block access to malicious websites based on content categories, reputation, and user identity. This feature is critical for modern enterprises where web-based threats, phishing, and malware distribution are prevalent. URL Filtering uses a continuously updated database of categorized websites and reputation scores to assess the risk of individual URLs and enforce appropriate actions. Administrators can configure policies that differentiate access based on user identity, group membership, or time, integrating with identity sources such as Active Directory or LDAP for identity-aware enforcement.
URL Filtering integrates with other Firepower engines to provide multi-layered security. SSL Decryption allows inspection of encrypted HTTPS traffic to ensure that web-based threats are visible. File Policy inspects files downloaded from websites for malware, ransomware, or advanced threats. Snort detects network-based exploits associated with web traffic, and Security Intelligence blocks communication with known malicious domains or IP addresses. This integration ensures that URL Filtering enforces comprehensive web security policies while maintaining visibility and operational control.
Snort focuses on network-level detection of exploits and anomalies but does not categorize websites or enforce web access policies. Security Intelligence provides reputation-based blocking but cannot enforce content-based web access or identity-aware policies. File Policy inspects files for malware but does not categorize websites or control user access to web content.
URL Filtering is the correct answer because it provides granular control over web traffic, enabling organizations to block malicious sites, enforce role- and user-specific access, and integrate with identity and application awareness. Logging and reporting provide insights into enforcement actions, user behavior, and potential compliance violations. By combining identity awareness, category-based enforcement, and integration with SSL Decryption, File Policy, Snort, and Security Intelligence, URL Filtering ensures that web-based threats are mitigated and web usage policies are consistently enforced. This feature supports proactive threat prevention, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and application-aware security, making it an essential component of modern enterprise network protection. URL Filtering balances productivity with security, allowing organizations to maintain secure access to critical web applications while minimizing risk from web-based threats.
Question 112
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to decrypt SSL/TLS-encrypted traffic to inspect its content using multiple security engines while maintaining privacy through re-encryption?
A) SSL Decryption Policy
B) Access Control Policy
C) Security Intelligence
D) File Policy
Answer: A) SSL Decryption Policy
Explanation:
SSL Decryption Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to decrypt SSL/TLS-encrypted traffic, allowing multiple security engines to inspect its content for threats, policy violations, or anomalies. With a growing majority of network traffic being encrypted, inspection without decryption is ineffective because the payload remains hidden from detection engines. SSL Decryption provides visibility into encrypted communications, allowing Snort to detect exploits, File Policy to scan files for malware or ransomware, URL Filtering to enforce web content policies, Security Intelligence to block malicious endpoints, and Application Visibility and Control (AVC) to identify and manage applications.
Administrators can configure selective decryption, excluding sensitive traffic, such as banking, healthcare, or other regulated communication, to comply with privacy regulations. Decryption can be applied to inbound, outbound, or internal traffic depending on network policy requirements. SSL Decryption also supports re-encryption to maintain privacy and data integrity, ensuring that decrypted traffic is encrypted again before delivery to its destination. This approach balances visibility for security inspection with compliance and operational privacy requirements.
Access Control Policy is the overarching framework that enforces security policies across multiple engines, including SSL Decryption. However, it does not itself perform the decryption. Access Control Policy leverages SSL Decryption as a component to provide visibility into encrypted traffic. Without SSL Decryption, Access Control Policy enforcement on encrypted protocols would be incomplete.
Security Intelligence relies on threat intelligence feeds to block traffic from known malicious IP addresses, domains, or URLs. It does not provide content-level visibility or inspection inside encrypted traffic. Without SSL Decryption, threats hidden within SSL/TLS channels could bypass Security Intelligence enforcement.
File Policy inspects files for malware or ransomware but requires visibility into traffic content. Without SSL Decryption, files transmitted over encrypted protocols remain opaque, preventing inspection.
SSL Decryption Policy is the correct answer because it enables organizations to inspect encrypted traffic using multiple security engines while maintaining privacy through re-encryption. It ensures that threats hidden within encrypted channels are detected, applications are properly identified, files are scanned, and web content policies are enforced. SSL Decryption provides critical visibility in modern enterprise networks where encryption is pervasive, ensuring comprehensive protection against advanced threats, data exfiltration, malware distribution, and unauthorized application usage. It integrates with Access Control Policies to apply consistent enforcement across multiple engines, logging and reporting actions to support operational monitoring, auditing, and compliance. Administrators can enforce SSL Decryption selectively, based on source, destination, protocol, or content type, ensuring that inspection is applied strategically without overloading system resources or violating privacy requirements. This feature complements other Firepower engines to deliver a multi-layered security approach, providing proactive threat mitigation, operational efficiency, and resilience against modern cyber threats. SSL Decryption Policy is essential for maintaining security visibility, enforcing policies, and protecting organizational assets in environments dominated by encrypted communications.
Question 113
Which Cisco Firepower feature identifies and monitors network applications in real time, allowing administrators to block, allow, or prioritize traffic even when applications use dynamic ports or encryption?
A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
B) Snort
C) URL Filtering
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Explanation:
Application Visibility and Control (AVC) in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense allows administrators to identify and monitor network applications in real time, providing granular control over traffic regardless of whether applications use dynamic ports, encryption, or tunneling. AVC uses deep packet inspection, behavioral analysis, and application signatures to classify both known and unknown applications accurately. This capability is crucial for enterprise networks where traditional port- or protocol-based controls are insufficient due to the increasing use of encrypted or tunneled traffic.
AVC allows administrators to block unauthorized applications, allow essential business applications, or prioritize critical traffic to ensure optimal network performance. Integration with other Firepower engines enhances its effectiveness: SSL Decryption allows inspection of encrypted application traffic, File Policy inspects files transmitted by applications, Snort detects exploits or anomalies associated with application traffic, URL Filtering enforces web-based application policies, and Security Intelligence blocks communication with known malicious endpoints. Logging and reporting provide insights into application usage, enforcement actions, and compliance with organizational policies.
Snort focuses on detecting network-based exploits and anomalies but does not provide application-level identification or real-time control over traffic. URL Filtering categorizes web traffic and enforces web-specific policies but cannot manage non-web applications comprehensively, especially those using dynamic ports or encryption. Security Intelligence blocks known malicious sources based on reputation but does not provide detailed visibility or management of legitimate application traffic.
AVC is the correct answer because it enables organizations to apply application-aware security policies across the network, ensuring that both encrypted and dynamically ported applications are correctly identified and managed. By integrating with SSL Decryption, File Policy, Snort, URL Filtering, and Security Intelligence, AVC forms part of a multi-layered security strategy that enforces consistent policies across network traffic. It helps optimize bandwidth, protect against unauthorized or high-risk applications, and maintain compliance with operational policies. AVC supports proactive threat mitigation, operational visibility, and adaptive security, enhancing network resilience against evolving application-based threats while balancing performance and security requirements. Administrators can configure detailed enforcement rules for each application, ensuring that critical business functions remain available while mitigating risk from unauthorized or high-risk applications. AVC provides a comprehensive, real-time, and adaptive approach to managing network applications in modern enterprise networks.
Question 114
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to categorize web traffic, enforce policies based on user identity or group, block malicious websites, and integrate with other security engines for layered protection?
A) URL Filtering
B) File Policy
C) Snort
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) URL Filtering
Explanation:
URL Filtering in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to categorize web traffic, enforce access policies, and block malicious websites based on URL reputation, content category, and user identity. This feature is critical for modern enterprise networks where web-based threats, phishing campaigns, and malware distribution are prevalent. URL Filtering relies on continuously updated databases and reputation services to evaluate URLs, ensuring that high-risk websites are blocked while legitimate business sites remain accessible. Administrators can define policies based on user identity or group membership, integrating with Active Directory or LDAP, allowing fine-grained enforcement for specific users or roles. Time-based access policies can further control web usage during business hours, maintenance windows, or off-hours.
URL Filtering integrates with other Firepower engines to provide multi-layered protection. SSL Decryption enables inspection of HTTPS traffic to reveal threats hidden within encrypted channels. File Policy inspects downloaded content for malware, ransomware, or advanced threats. Snort detects network-based exploits or anomalous traffic associated with web usage, while Security Intelligence blocks known malicious domains or IPs. By combining these engines, URL Filtering enforces comprehensive web security policies and enhances overall threat mitigation.
Snort detects network-level exploits and anomalies but does not categorize web content or enforce web-specific policies. Security Intelligence blocks known malicious endpoints but does not provide content-aware or identity-aware web access control. File Policy inspects files for malware but does not categorize or control web access at the URL level.
URL Filtering is the correct answer because it provides organizations with detailed control over web traffic, integrating category-based enforcement, identity-aware policies, and reputation scoring. It allows administrators to block malicious websites, permit legitimate business traffic, and monitor user behavior to support compliance and security auditing. Integration with SSL Decryption, File Policy, Snort, and Security Intelligence ensures multi-layered inspection and enforcement. Logging and reporting provide operational visibility, actionable insights, and support for regulatory requirements. URL Filtering enhances security, productivity, and compliance while mitigating risks associated with web-based threats. It ensures adaptive, context-aware web access policies that complement other Firepower engines, forming a critical component of modern enterprise network protection strategies. URL Filtering allows organizations to enforce secure, efficient, and controlled web access while addressing evolving threats and maintaining operational continuity.
Question 115
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to detect and block network traffic from IP addresses, domains, or URLs that are known to be malicious, using real-time threat intelligence feeds?
A) Security Intelligence
B) Snort
C) File Policy
D) URL Filtering
Answer: A) Security Intelligence
Explanation:
Security Intelligence in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense allows administrators to proactively detect and block network traffic originating from known malicious IP addresses, domains, or URLs. This feature leverages real-time threat intelligence feeds, often sourced from Cisco Talos or other trusted providers, to identify malicious endpoints, phishing servers, botnets, and command-and-control infrastructures. By using these continuously updated feeds, Security Intelligence can prevent communication with known high-risk entities before threats reach internal resources, effectively reducing the risk of malware infections, data breaches, and advanced persistent threats.
Administrators can configure Security Intelligence to operate inline, blocking malicious traffic automatically, or in monitoring mode to generate alerts for review. Policies can be applied globally or selectively to specific interfaces, traffic types, or network segments, allowing flexible threat mitigation strategies tailored to organizational needs. Logging and reporting provide detailed visibility into blocked traffic, attempted connections, and threat trends, supporting operational monitoring, compliance, and auditing.
Snort is an intrusion detection and prevention system that detects exploits, anomalies, and protocol violations through signature-based and behavioral analysis. While Snort can block traffic in inline mode, it does not proactively use reputation-based threat intelligence to prevent communication with known malicious endpoints. Its focus is on network-based detection rather than reputation enforcement.
File Policy inspects files for malware, ransomware, and advanced threats transmitted over protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB. While critical for content-level security, it does not prevent communication with known malicious IP addresses, domains, or URLs before traffic enters the network.
URL Filtering categorizes websites and enforces web-specific access policies based on content category, reputation, or user identity. While it can block malicious web domains, its scope is limited to HTTP/HTTPS traffic and does not provide comprehensive network-level blocking for all protocols.
Security Intelligence is the correct answer because it provides proactive, reputation-based blocking of malicious sources across multiple protocols and network segments. Integration with Access Control Policies allows administrators to enforce these rules alongside other inspection engines, creating a multi-layered defense. Real-time updates from threat intelligence feeds ensure emerging threats are blocked automatically, reducing exposure to attacks. Security Intelligence enhances enterprise security by mitigating risks from known malicious sources, complementing other Firepower engines such as Snort for exploit detection, File Policy for malware inspection, URL Filtering for web control, SSL Decryption for encrypted traffic visibility, and Application Visibility and Control for application-aware enforcement. Centralized management, logging, and reporting provide operational insight, support compliance, and enable adaptive policy enforcement. This feature strengthens the organization’s security posture by preventing communication with high-risk entities, proactively mitigating threats, and integrating with multi-layered security strategies. Security Intelligence is essential for protecting networks against evolving cyber threats, ensuring consistent enforcement across distributed devices, and maintaining operational continuity while supporting compliance and auditing requirements.
Question 116
Which Cisco Firepower feature inspects files transmitted across HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB protocols for malware, ransomware, and advanced threats, while enabling retrospective analysis to detect new threats in previously scanned files?
A) File Policy with Retrospective Analysis
B) Snort
C) Security Intelligence
D) URL Filtering
Answer: A) File Policy with Retrospective Analysis
Explanation:
File Policy with Retrospective Analysis in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense inspects files transmitted across multiple protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, FTP, and SMB, for malware, ransomware, and advanced threats. Unlike traditional file inspection, it provides the ability to re-analyze previously scanned files when new threat intelligence emerges. This retrospective capability ensures that files initially deemed safe are continuously evaluated against updated malware signatures, behavioral analysis, and heuristic detection methods. By revisiting previously inspected files, organizations can detect zero-day threats, polymorphic malware, and advanced persistent threats that may have bypassed initial inspection.
Administrators can configure File Policy to allow, block, or quarantine files based on type, protocol, source, or risk level. Integration with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) enhances detection capabilities by combining signature-based, behavioral, and heuristic analysis. File Policy with Retrospective Analysis integrates seamlessly with other Firepower engines. SSL Decryption provides visibility into encrypted file transfers. Snort detects network-based anomalies or exploits related to file traffic. URL Filtering blocks access to malicious web-based files. Security Intelligence prevents communication with known malicious endpoints, while Application Visibility and Control monitors application traffic associated with file transfers. Centralized management via Firepower Management Center ensures consistent policy deployment, logging, reporting, and operational insight.
Snort focuses on detecting network-based attacks but does not inspect file contents or provide retrospective scanning. Security Intelligence blocks communication with known malicious sources but does not analyze files or revisit previously inspected files. URL Filtering categorizes web traffic but cannot inspect files for malware or perform retrospective evaluation.
File Policy with Retrospective Analysis is the correct answer because it provides adaptive, content-level threat detection, ensuring that both real-time and previously transferred files are continuously assessed. This feature strengthens enterprise security by mitigating risks associated with malware, ransomware, and advanced threats, supporting operational monitoring, compliance, and auditing. Integration with other Firepower engines ensures a multi-layered defense strategy that addresses threats across network traffic, applications, encrypted communications, and web content. Logging and reporting provide visibility into enforcement actions, retroactive detections, and threat trends. By enabling retrospective analysis, File Policy ensures that evolving threats are identified and mitigated even after files have entered the network, enhancing operational resilience, maintaining data integrity, and supporting a proactive security posture. This feature is essential for organizations facing sophisticated malware campaigns and zero-day attacks, providing continuous protection, adaptive threat detection, and comprehensive visibility into file-based threats. File Policy with Retrospective Analysis ensures that security policies remain effective and dynamic in the face of emerging threats, protecting both endpoints and network infrastructure.
Question 117
Which Cisco Firepower feature categorizes web traffic, enforces policies based on user identity or group membership, and blocks malicious websites while integrating with SSL decryption and other inspection engines?
A) URL Filtering
B) File Policy
C) Snort
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) URL Filtering
Explanation:
URL Filtering in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to categorize web traffic, enforce access policies, and block malicious websites based on reputation, category, or user identity. This feature is critical for modern enterprise networks to prevent phishing, malware distribution, and unauthorized access to risky websites. URL Filtering uses continuously updated databases and reputation services to evaluate URLs and enforce policy actions effectively. Administrators can create identity-aware policies by integrating with Active Directory or LDAP, ensuring rules are applied to individual users or groups. Time-based policies can further refine access restrictions, allowing different web access levels during business hours or off-hours.
URL Filtering integrates with multiple Firepower engines to provide comprehensive, layered protection. SSL Decryption allows inspection of HTTPS traffic, revealing hidden threats within encrypted connections. File Policy inspects files downloaded from websites for malware, ransomware, or advanced threats. Snort detects network-based anomalies or exploit attempts associated with web traffic. Security Intelligence blocks known malicious domains or IPs. By combining these engines, URL Filtering ensures a multi-layered approach to web security enforcement. Logging and reporting provide operational visibility, compliance tracking, and detailed insights into web usage, policy enforcement, and potential violations.
File Policy inspects files for malware but does not categorize websites or enforce web-specific access policies. Snort detects network-level anomalies but cannot apply web category or identity-aware rules. Security Intelligence blocks known malicious endpoints but does not provide content-aware or identity-based web traffic control.
URL Filtering is the correct answer because it allows organizations to enforce granular web access policies while integrating with SSL Decryption, File Policy, Snort, and Security Intelligence for layered inspection. Administrators can block access to malicious sites, permit legitimate business traffic, and monitor user behavior to ensure compliance and operational security. URL Filtering supports proactive threat mitigation, adaptive enforcement, and operational visibility. By categorizing web traffic and applying identity-aware policies, organizations can prevent unauthorized or risky web activity while maintaining productivity. Logging and reporting facilitate auditing, compliance, and trend analysis. URL Filtering is essential in modern networks to protect against web-based threats, enforce secure access, and integrate with multi-layered Firepower security strategies. Its combination of identity awareness, content categorization, and engine integration provides comprehensive, adaptive, and context-aware web security, ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and protection from emerging threats.
Question 118
Which Cisco Firepower feature allows administrators to monitor and control applications on the network in real time, applying actions such as block, allow, or prioritize, even when applications use dynamic ports, encryption, or tunneling?
A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
B) Snort
C) File Policy
D) URL Filtering
Answer: A) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Explanation:
Application Visibility and Control (AVC) in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to monitor and control applications on the network in real time, providing granular enforcement regardless of whether applications use dynamic ports, encryption, or tunneling. Traditional network controls rely on fixed port or protocol identification, which is ineffective for modern applications that often use dynamic or encrypted channels to bypass security measures. AVC uses deep packet inspection, behavioral analysis, and application signatures to accurately identify both known and unknown applications, regardless of the transport method.
With AVC, administrators can block unauthorized or high-risk applications, allow critical business applications, or prioritize network traffic to ensure optimal performance for essential services. Integration with SSL Decryption allows inspection of encrypted application traffic, File Policy inspects files transmitted through applications, Snort detects network-level threats associated with application traffic, URL Filtering controls web-based applications, and Security Intelligence blocks communication with known malicious endpoints. Logging and reporting provide detailed insights into application usage, enforcement actions, and compliance with organizational policies.
Snort is an intrusion detection and prevention system that identifies exploits, anomalies, and protocol violations. While it can detect threats associated with applications, it does not provide real-time application identification, granular enforcement, or prioritization of traffic. URL Filtering categorizes web traffic and enforces web-specific access policies but cannot manage non-web applications comprehensively or handle dynamic ports and encrypted traffic effectively. File Policy inspects files for malware but does not provide application-level identification or enforcement.
AVC is the correct answer because it enables organizations to implement application-aware security policies that are adaptive, granular, and comprehensive. By integrating with SSL Decryption, File Policy, Snort, URL Filtering, and Security Intelligence, AVC provides multi-layered protection for enterprise networks. It ensures that unauthorized applications are controlled, bandwidth for critical applications is prioritized, and encrypted or tunneled applications do not bypass security measures. Logging and reporting support operational monitoring, auditing, and compliance tracking. AVC enhances network resilience by providing visibility into application usage, preventing misuse, and enforcing policy consistently across distributed networks. Administrators can define application-specific rules, ensuring that security measures are aligned with organizational requirements, regulatory mandates, and operational priorities. AVC is essential for modern networks where dynamic and encrypted applications are pervasive, enabling organizations to balance security, performance, and user productivity. By identifying and controlling applications in real time, AVC reduces risk, improves operational efficiency, and complements other Firepower engines to provide a unified, adaptive, and context-aware security posture.
Question 119
Which Cisco Firepower feature decrypts SSL/TLS traffic to enable inspection by other engines such as Snort, File Policy, URL Filtering, and Security Intelligence, while maintaining data privacy through re-encryption?
A) SSL Decryption Policy
B) Access Control Policy
C) File Policy
D) Application Visibility and Control (AVC)
Answer: A) SSL Decryption Policy
Explanation:
SSL Decryption Policy in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables organizations to decrypt SSL/TLS traffic, allowing other engines to inspect the content for threats, anomalies, or policy violations. With a growing percentage of enterprise traffic encrypted with SSL/TLS, traditional security inspection methods that rely on port or protocol analysis cannot see the actual payload, leaving threats hidden. SSL Decryption addresses this challenge by decrypting traffic, allowing Snort to detect exploits, File Policy to scan files for malware, URL Filtering to enforce web content policies, Security Intelligence to block malicious endpoints, and Application Visibility and Control to identify applications.
Administrators can implement selective decryption policies, excluding sensitive traffic such as banking, healthcare, or other regulated communications to comply with privacy requirements. Decrypted traffic can be re-encrypted before delivery to maintain privacy and data integrity while still allowing comprehensive inspection. SSL Decryption can be applied to inbound, outbound, or internal traffic, providing flexible enforcement aligned with network architecture and policy objectives. Logging and reporting provide visibility into decrypted sessions, inspection outcomes, and policy enforcement, supporting auditing and compliance.
Access Control Policy provides a centralized framework for enforcing multi-engine security policies, including SSL Decryption. However, it does not itself perform decryption. Instead, Access Control Policy leverages SSL Decryption as a component to provide visibility into encrypted traffic. Security Intelligence blocks traffic from known malicious sources but does not inspect content inside encrypted traffic. File Policy inspects files for malware but requires decrypted traffic for proper analysis. AVC identifies applications, but without SSL Decryption, encrypted applications may bypass inspection.
SSL Decryption Policy is the correct answer because it enables deep inspection of encrypted traffic, allowing multiple Firepower engines to detect threats hidden in SSL/TLS channels while maintaining privacy through re-encryption. This capability is critical for modern enterprise networks, ensuring that encrypted communication does not become a blind spot for security enforcement. SSL Decryption supports comprehensive, layered threat detection, integrates seamlessly with Access Control Policies, and provides visibility and enforcement for encrypted application traffic, web content, and files. By enabling inspection of encrypted traffic, SSL Decryption ensures proactive threat mitigation, operational visibility, compliance, and resilience against advanced threats. It allows administrators to enforce security policies without compromising privacy, providing a balanced approach to modern network protection. SSL Decryption is essential for organizations that need visibility into encrypted communications while maintaining security and compliance standards, complementing all other Firepower engines to ensure multi-layered, context-aware security enforcement.
Question 120
Which Cisco Firepower feature categorizes web traffic, blocks malicious websites, and enforces user-specific or group-specific web access policies, integrating with identity sources and other security engines?
A) URL Filtering
B) File Policy
C) Snort
D) Security Intelligence
Answer: A) URL Filtering
Explanation:
URL Filtering in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense enables administrators to categorize web traffic, enforce web access policies, and block malicious websites based on URL reputation, content category, and user or group identity. It is a key feature for protecting enterprises against phishing, malware distribution, ransomware, and unauthorized web activity. URL Filtering uses continuously updated databases and reputation services to determine the risk level of URLs and enforce policies accordingly. Integration with identity sources such as Active Directory or LDAP allows administrators to create identity-aware policies that apply to specific users or groups, enabling granular control over web access. Time-based policies further refine access restrictions, allowing differentiated rules based on working hours, maintenance windows, or other operational requirements.
URL Filtering integrates with other Firepower engines for multi-layered security. SSL Decryption allows inspection of HTTPS traffic to reveal threats hidden in encrypted channels. File Policy inspects downloaded content for malware or ransomware. Snort detects network-level anomalies or exploits associated with web traffic. Security Intelligence blocks communication with known malicious endpoints. By combining these engines, URL Filtering ensures consistent, adaptive enforcement of web security policies across the enterprise network. Logging and reporting provide insights into policy enforcement, user behavior, and potential compliance violations, supporting operational monitoring, auditing, and strategic decision-making.
File Policy inspects files but does not categorize or enforce web access policies. Snort detects network threats but cannot apply content-aware, identity-specific web access rules. Security Intelligence blocks malicious endpoints but does not provide content-based or user-specific web control.
URL Filtering is the correct answer because it allows organizations to control web access based on content, identity, and reputation, while integrating with SSL Decryption, File Policy, Snort, and Security Intelligence for layered protection. It supports proactive threat mitigation, policy compliance, operational visibility, and adaptive enforcement. Administrators can block high-risk sites, permit legitimate business traffic, and monitor user behavior, ensuring secure and productive web usage. URL Filtering enhances enterprise security by preventing web-based threats, enforcing identity-aware policies, and maintaining operational efficiency. Integration with multi-layered Firepower engines ensures that web traffic is inspected, controlled, and secured across encrypted channels, applications, and file transfers. URL Filtering is essential for modern networks, balancing security, compliance, and productivity by enabling context-aware, adaptive, and comprehensive web traffic management that mitigates risk while supporting operational objectives.