Cisco 300-715 Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine (300-715 SISE) Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 5 Q61-75
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Question 61
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to classify devices and provide context for policy decisions without requiring user authentication?
A) Profiling
B) Policy Sets
C) Posture Assessment
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Profiling in Cisco ISE provides a mechanism to identify, classify, and categorize endpoints connecting to the network based on network attributes without requiring user authentication. Profiling operates by examining characteristics such as MAC addresses, DHCP requests, HTTP headers, CDP/LLDP data, and network traffic patterns. Through these attributes, profiling can automatically determine whether an endpoint is a laptop, smartphone, IP phone, printer, IoT device, or other device type. This contextual information is critical for applying adaptive access policies through policy sets, assigning VLANs, downloadable ACLs, or Security Group Tags (SGTs) in TrustSec-enabled networks. By operating passively and without requiring credentials, profiling is particularly useful for unmanaged devices, IoT endpoints, or devices that cannot perform standard authentication.
Profiling enhances network visibility by providing administrators with a real-time view of device types and network behavior. It enables automated classification, reducing manual effort and improving policy accuracy. By feeding this information into policy sets, administrators can implement granular access control that adapts to the device type and associated security requirements. Profiling can also work in conjunction with posture assessment to determine whether a device is compliant and assign appropriate access privileges. For instance, a corporate laptop that is properly profiled and passes compliance checks may receive full access, while a rogue device detected through profiling may trigger restricted access or quarantine.
Policy sets define hierarchical authentication and authorization rules, using contextual data such as identity, posture results, location, and device type. While policy sets enforce access rules based on profiling data, they do not perform the device classification themselves. Profiling provides the input that policy sets require for adaptive and context-aware decisions.
Posture assessment evaluates the compliance status of endpoints but does not automatically classify devices based on network behavior or attributes. Its function is compliance evaluation, not device identification.
Guest access provides temporary network connectivity for visitors and contractors. While guest access may involve assigning VLANs and limiting resource access, it does not classify devices or provide contextual information for adaptive access policies.
Profiling ensures administrators have comprehensive visibility into all network endpoints and provides the context needed to enforce adaptive policies. By classifying devices without requiring authentication, profiling supports secure, scalable, and context-aware network access. Because it directly identifies and categorizes devices for policy enforcement, profiling is the correct answer.
Question 62
Which Cisco ISE feature allows real-time integration with external security platforms to enable automated adaptive access and threat containment?
A) pxGrid
B) Posture Assessment
C) Policy Sets
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
PxGrid in Cisco ISE is a platform that enables real-time integration with external security systems, including SIEMs, firewalls, endpoint protection tools, and threat intelligence solutions. PxGrid allows bi-directional communication between ISE and these external systems, enabling the exchange of contextual information, alerts, and endpoint data. This integration supports automated adaptive access control, threat containment, and coordinated response to security incidents. For example, if an external endpoint protection system detects a compromised device, pxGrid can communicate this information to ISE, which can then quarantine the device, restrict its network access, or require additional authentication before granting connectivity. This capability significantly reduces the time between threat detection and remediation, ensuring a proactive security posture.
PxGrid also allows organizations to automate policy enforcement based on dynamic contextual information, including endpoint compliance, identity, location, and threat intelligence. It supports a wide range of use cases, including automated incident response, adaptive network access, and continuous monitoring of network conditions. By integrating multiple security platforms through pxGrid, organizations gain a holistic view of the network and can enforce consistent, coordinated policies across different enforcement points. This reduces operational complexity and enhances overall security effectiveness.
Posture assessment evaluates endpoint health and compliance but does not directly integrate with external security systems or enable automated adaptive access. Its focus is internal compliance assessment and remediation.
Policy sets define authentication and authorization rules using contextual attributes, but they do not provide real-time integration with external systems for automated threat response. Policy sets enforce access rules but rely on input from sources like pxGrid or posture assessment.
Guest access provides temporary network connectivity for visitors and contractors but does not enable real-time integration with external security solutions or adaptive threat response. Its purpose is session management and onboarding.
PxGrid enables organizations to respond to security threats in real time, automate adaptive access decisions, and maintain consistent enforcement across multiple platforms. By sharing contextual data with external systems, it allows proactive threat containment, reducing the risk of compromise and ensuring network security. Because it provides real-time integration and supports automated adaptive responses, pxGrid is the correct answer.
Question 63
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to assign Security Group Tags to users or devices for identity-based segmentation in TrustSec-enabled networks?
A) Security Group Tagging
B) Policy Sets
C) Posture Assessment
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Security Group Tagging in Cisco ISE provides the ability to assign Security Group Tags (SGTs) to users and endpoints for identity-based network segmentation in TrustSec-enabled environments. SGTs are numeric values representing a particular security group, such as employees, contractors, or IoT devices. When a user or device authenticates, ISE dynamically assigns an SGT based on role, device type, or contextual information. These tags are then propagated across network enforcement points, including switches, routers, and firewalls, enabling consistent policy enforcement across the entire network. The key benefit of SGTs is that access decisions are made based on identity rather than IP addresses or VLANs, making the network more flexible and easier to manage. For example, all devices with an SGT for “Contractors” might be restricted from accessing sensitive internal resources while still accessing necessary services. This approach supports role-based access control and reduces administrative overhead in complex environments.
Policy sets define hierarchical authentication and authorization rules and determine which access privileges a user or device should receive. While policy sets may reference SGTs for enforcement decisions, they do not themselves assign tags to endpoints. The tagging is the responsibility of the Security Group Tagging feature.
Posture assessment evaluates endpoint compliance with security policies, such as antivirus installation, patching, or firewall configuration. While posture results can influence access levels, posture assessment does not create or assign identity-based tags for segmentation.
Guest access provides temporary network access for visitors or contractors, often through self-registration or sponsor approval. Guest access focuses on onboarding and isolation, not on identity-based tagging for network segmentation.
Security Group Tagging allows organizations to implement scalable, identity-based segmentation, ensuring that users and devices are consistently assigned to appropriate security groups. By separating access based on identity, administrators can apply role-specific policies, enforce least-privilege access, and enhance overall network security. Because it directly handles the assignment of identity-based tags for TrustSec segmentation, Security Group Tagging is the correct answer.
Question 64
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to selectively wipe corporate data from personal devices in BYOD deployments while leaving personal data untouched?
A) App Protection Policies
B) Posture Assessment
C) Policy Sets
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
App Protection Policies in Cisco ISE allow organizations to secure corporate applications and data on personal devices while maintaining user privacy. In Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios, these policies provide the ability to selectively remove corporate apps, email accounts, and sensitive files without affecting personal applications, photos, or documents. This ensures that company data is protected while respecting the user’s personal content. Selective wipe can be triggered manually, such as when an employee leaves the company, or automatically based on policy triggers, such as noncompliance, loss of device, or expiration of corporate access. App Protection Policies also control how corporate applications interact with personal apps, preventing data leakage by restricting copy-paste, sharing, or storage to unmanaged cloud services. By implementing these policies, organizations can comply with regulatory requirements and maintain data security in a BYOD environment.
Posture assessment evaluates device compliance, including antivirus, patch levels, and firewall configuration. While posture results may influence access decisions, posture assessment does not perform selective wiping of corporate data from personal devices.
Policy sets define authentication and authorization rules based on identity, device type, location, or posture results. While policy sets enforce access controls, they do not handle selective removal of corporate apps or data.
Guest access provides temporary network connectivity for visitors and contractors and does not manage corporate apps or enforce selective wipe policies. Its function is limited to onboarding, session management, and network isolation.
App Protection Policies enable administrators to maintain corporate security while respecting user privacy, ensuring that only corporate applications and data can be removed without impacting personal content. Because it provides the capability to selectively wipe corporate data on BYOD devices, App Protection Policies is the correct answer.
Question 65
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to dynamically adjust access privileges for active sessions based on compliance status, threat intelligence, or contextual changes?
A) Change of Authorization
B) Posture Assessment
C) Policy Sets
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Change of Authorization, or CoA, in Cisco ISE allows administrators to modify access privileges of active sessions in real time without requiring users or devices to disconnect and reauthenticate. After initial authentication, network conditions or security posture may change, necessitating a dynamic adjustment of access rights. CoA enables immediate enforcement of these changes, ensuring security and compliance. Common use cases include quarantining devices that fail posture assessment, restricting access for endpoints flagged by external threat intelligence systems, or updating VLANs, ACLs, or SGT assignments based on dynamic policies. CoA works by sending RADIUS Change of Authorization messages to network enforcement points such as switches, wireless controllers, or VPN gateways. These messages instruct the network device to apply the updated access privileges immediately.
CoA can be triggered manually by administrators or automatically based on policy conditions such as posture failure, profiling results, or security alerts received via pxGrid. It ensures that access rights remain aligned with current security and compliance requirements, providing adaptive access control in real time. This capability reduces risk exposure, improves network security, and ensures that noncompliant or compromised devices are restricted from sensitive resources immediately.
Posture assessment evaluates endpoint compliance but does not dynamically change the access of active sessions. It provides health data that can trigger CoA, but the adjustment of privileges itself is not handled by posture assessment.
Policy sets define hierarchical authentication and authorization rules for users and devices. While policy sets dictate the access levels based on contextual information, they do not apply changes to active sessions dynamically. CoA leverages policy decisions but executes real-time modifications to access.
Guest access provides temporary connectivity for visitors and contractors and does not dynamically modify session privileges based on changing compliance or threat status. Its function is limited to onboarding and isolation.
Change of Authorization ensures that access is dynamically enforced in response to compliance, threats, or contextual changes. By providing real-time adjustment of active sessions, CoA allows organizations to maintain a secure and adaptive network. Because it directly modifies access privileges for active sessions based on current conditions, Change of Authorization is the correct answer.
Question 66
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to assign Security Group Tags to users or devices for identity-based segmentation in TrustSec-enabled networks?
A) Security Group Tagging
B) Policy Sets
C) Posture Assessment
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Security Group Tagging in Cisco ISE allows administrators to assign Security Group Tags (SGTs) to users and devices for identity-based network segmentation in TrustSec-enabled environments. SGTs are numeric identifiers that categorize users or devices into specific security groups, such as employees, contractors, or IoT devices. When a device authenticates, ISE dynamically assigns the appropriate SGT based on contextual information, role, or device type. These tags are then propagated across network enforcement points, enabling consistent policy enforcement across the network. The primary advantage of SGTs is that they provide segmentation based on identity rather than IP address or VLAN, making network policies easier to manage and more scalable. For example, all devices with the “Contractor” SGT can be restricted from accessing sensitive internal resources while still accessing the internet or approved services.
Policy sets define authentication and authorization rules but do not assign SGTs themselves. They rely on information like SGTs to enforce access but cannot dynamically tag devices.
Posture assessment evaluates device compliance with antivirus, patches, and firewall configuration. While posture may affect access decisions, it does not assign tags for identity-based segmentation.
Guest access provides temporary network connectivity for visitors or contractors. It focuses on onboarding and isolation, not identity-based segmentation.
Security Group Tagging enables scalable, identity-based access control by assigning SGTs that inform consistent policy enforcement. Because it directly assigns identity-based tags for TrustSec, Security Group Tagging is the correct answer.
Question 67
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to selectively remove corporate data from personal devices in BYOD deployments while leaving personal data intact?
A) App Protection Policies
B) Posture Assessment
C) Policy Sets
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
App Protection Policies allow administrators to secure corporate apps and data on personal devices in BYOD scenarios. These policies enable selective removal of corporate apps, email accounts, and files without affecting personal apps or data. This ensures user privacy while maintaining corporate security. Selective wipe can be triggered manually when an employee leaves the company or automatically based on conditions such as device noncompliance, expiration of access, or loss of device. App Protection Policies also prevent corporate data from being copied into personal apps, shared with unapproved cloud services, or exported improperly. By enforcing these policies, organizations can comply with regulations and maintain data security without interfering with personal content.
Posture assessment checks device compliance, such as antivirus, patch levels, and firewall status. It does not perform selective wiping of corporate apps.
Policy sets define hierarchical rules for authentication and authorization, controlling access based on identity, device type, location, and compliance. They do not remove data from devices.
Guest access allows temporary network connectivity for visitors or contractors and does not manage corporate apps or data.
App Protection Policies ensure corporate data security in BYOD environments by selectively removing only corporate resources. Because it enables selective wipe without affecting personal data, App Protection Policies is the correct answer.
Question 68
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to dynamically adjust access privileges for active sessions based on compliance, threat intelligence, or contextual changes?
A) Change of Authorization
B) Posture Assessment
C) Policy Sets
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Change of Authorization, commonly referred to as CoA, is an essential feature within Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) that allows network administrators to modify the access privileges of active sessions in real time without requiring endpoints or users to disconnect from the network. This capability is crucial in modern dynamic network environments, where the security posture of endpoints or the risk profile of a user can change after initial authentication. Traditional access control mechanisms typically enforce policies only at the time of authentication, which means that any subsequent changes in device compliance, security threats, or user roles would not automatically be reflected in network access. CoA addresses this limitation by enabling administrators to enforce updates to session privileges immediately, ensuring that access rights remain aligned with current security policies, threat intelligence, and compliance requirements.
Once a device or user is authenticated on the network, multiple factors can influence whether its access privileges should be adjusted. For instance, an endpoint might initially pass posture assessment and gain full network access, but over time, the device could become noncompliant due to missing patches, outdated antivirus signatures, or disabled firewalls. Similarly, threat intelligence feeds integrated through Cisco pxGrid may identify suspicious activity associated with a particular device or user, necessitating a modification of their network access. In such cases, CoA enables the administrator to quarantine the device, restrict its access to specific network segments, or apply downloadable access control lists to limit functionality. These changes can occur automatically based on predefined conditions, such as failing a posture assessment, receiving alerts from profiling data, or identifying security threats, or they can be manually triggered by network operators to respond to emerging risks in real time.
The technical implementation of CoA relies on RADIUS Change of Authorization messages, which are sent from Cisco ISE to network enforcement points, including switches, wireless controllers, or VPN gateways. These messages instruct the enforcement devices to update the attributes associated with a specific session, effectively altering the privileges granted to the connected endpoint or user. This mechanism allows network access adjustments to occur without disrupting ongoing connections or requiring reauthentication, providing a seamless and efficient method to enforce security policies. The ability to dynamically update session attributes is particularly important in environments with high mobility, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, or where endpoints frequently move between different network segments, as it ensures continuous enforcement of security rules regardless of the device’s location or network entry point.
It is important to understand the distinction between CoA and other Cisco ISE features. Posture assessment, for example, evaluates device compliance with security policies, including antivirus status, patch levels, firewall settings, and encryption configurations. While posture assessment provides the critical data used to determine whether a session should be modified, it does not itself change access privileges. CoA is the mechanism that applies the necessary modifications based on the posture results, translating compliance information into immediate network enforcement actions. Policy sets, on the other hand, define authentication and authorization rules by considering multiple contextual factors, such as device type, user identity, location, and security posture. Although policy sets provide the framework for making access decisions and can reference compliance or threat intelligence data, they do not dynamically adjust active sessions. CoA enforces the decisions dictated by policy sets in real time, bridging the gap between static policy definitions and the dynamic nature of modern networks. Guest access functionality is another Cisco ISE feature but serves a completely different purpose. It provides temporary network connectivity to visitors, contractors, or external users but does not allow for real-time modification of session privileges. Guest access focuses on session provisioning and temporary isolation rather than adaptive access control for ongoing sessions.
The significance of CoA lies in its ability to maintain adaptive network access that is continuously aligned with real-time context and security posture. By dynamically modifying the privileges of active sessions, CoA reduces the window of opportunity for potential security breaches, limits exposure from compromised or noncompliant devices, and ensures that the organization’s security policies are consistently enforced. For example, if an endpoint begins exhibiting behavior indicative of malware or other malicious activity, CoA allows administrators to immediately reduce its access to sensitive resources or place it in a restricted environment until remediation occurs. This capability is particularly valuable in large, distributed networks where manual enforcement of access policies would be slow, inefficient, or prone to human error.
Change of Authorization in Cisco ISE is a real-time, dynamic mechanism that enables administrators to modify active session privileges based on compliance, threat intelligence, or other contextual factors. While posture assessment provides the compliance data, and policy sets define the rules, CoA ensures that these rules are applied immediately to active sessions without requiring disconnections. Guest access, profiling, and other ISE functionalities support network access and identification, but only CoA provides the capability to dynamically enforce changes on already authenticated sessions. By ensuring that network access remains adaptive and aligned with current security and compliance conditions, CoA plays a critical role in maintaining secure, resilient, and policy-driven network operations.
Question 69
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to enforce access control based on a device’s compliance with security policies such as antivirus, patches, and firewall status?
A) Posture Assessment
B) Policy Sets
C) Profiling
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Posture assessment in Cisco ISE provides a mechanism to evaluate the security compliance of endpoints attempting to access the network. It examines whether devices meet predefined security policies, including antivirus status, operating system patch levels, firewall configurations, disk encryption, and other security measures. Devices that do not meet the compliance requirements can be redirected to a remediation network, quarantined, or assigned restricted access. This ensures that only compliant devices gain full access to sensitive resources, reducing the risk of malware propagation or unauthorized access.
Posture assessment can operate in agent-based or agentless mode. Agent-based posture involves a lightweight software agent on the endpoint that reports detailed security information to ISE. Agentless posture uses network protocols such as DHCP, SNMP, or HTTP to collect health information without installing additional software. By leveraging Change of Authorization (CoA), posture assessment enables dynamic adjustments to sessions, such as moving noncompliant devices to a remediation VLAN and restoring access automatically once compliance is achieved.
Policy sets define authentication and authorization rules but do not evaluate endpoint compliance. They rely on posture assessment or other contextual information to make decisions.
Profiling classifies devices based on MAC addresses, DHCP attributes, or traffic patterns. Profiling does not enforce compliance policies; it provides context for policy decisions.
Guest access provides temporary connectivity for visitors and contractors and does not evaluate compliance.
Posture assessment is critical for maintaining secure network access by ensuring endpoints meet corporate security standards. Because it evaluates device compliance and triggers remediation or restricted access, posture assessment is the correct answer.
Question 70
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to classify network devices automatically based on MAC addresses, DHCP, and traffic patterns to provide context for access policies?
A) Profiling
B) Posture Assessment
C) Policy Sets
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Profiling in Cisco ISE provides the capability to automatically classify devices attempting to access the network. It examines network attributes such as MAC addresses, DHCP requests, HTTP headers, CDP/LLDP information, and traffic behavior to determine device type, such as laptops, smartphones, printers, IP phones, or IoT devices. Profiling operates passively, without requiring user authentication, making it particularly valuable for unmanaged or IoT devices. The classification allows policy sets to enforce context-aware access policies, assign VLANs, downloadable ACLs, or Security Group Tags (SGTs), and provide adaptive security.
Profiling provides administrators with deep visibility into the devices present on the network, reducing administrative overhead and improving accuracy in access policy enforcement. The information gathered through profiling can be combined with posture assessment results, user identity, and threat intelligence to make adaptive and granular decisions. Profiling ensures that endpoints receive the appropriate level of access based on device type and security posture, enhancing security while maintaining operational efficiency.
Posture assessment evaluates endpoint compliance but does not classify devices automatically or provide contextual data.
Policy sets define hierarchical authentication and authorization rules. They rely on contextual information such as profiling, posture, and identity, but do not perform the actual device classification.
Guest access provides temporary network connectivity for visitors and contractors. It does not perform classification or provide context for access policies.
Profiling ensures network visibility, automated device classification, and context-aware policy enforcement. Because it identifies devices and provides actionable information for access decisions, profiling is the correct answer.
Question 71
Which Cisco ISE feature provides temporary network access to visitors or contractors while isolating them from sensitive resources, often using self-registration or sponsor approval?
A) Guest Access
B) Posture Assessment
C) Policy Sets
D) Profiling
Answer: A
Explanation
Guest access in Cisco Identity Services Engine is a specialized feature designed to provide controlled, temporary, and secure network connectivity to visitors, contractors, partner consultants, temporary staff, or any external users who require short-term access. Organizations often need to provide internet or limited internal access to guests without granting them the same privileges as employees. Cisco ISE solves this requirement through a flexible and secure guest access framework that includes self-registration, sponsor approval, captive portals, access restrictions, identity tracking, and extensive auditing capabilities.
The guest access process begins with a captive portal. When a guest connects to the network, they are automatically redirected to a web-based login page hosted by ISE. This portal can be customized extensively to match the organization’s branding, display terms of use, and provide step-by-step instructions for signing in. Depending on the organization’s policy, users may self-register, create their own accounts, or request access through a sponsor. Self-registration is useful for environments such as hotels, cafeterias, or conference spaces where user verification is not critical. In more controlled environments such as corporate offices, sponsor approval ensures that an internal employee validates and authorizes the guest’s request before granting access.
Sponsor approval is one of the most powerful capabilities of Cisco ISE guest access. When a guest fills out a registration form, the request is sent to a designated employee who acts as the sponsor. This employee authenticates through identity sources such as Active Directory or LDAP to review the request. Once the sponsor approves the account, the guest receives login credentials through email or SMS. This extra layer of validation prevents unauthorized individuals from gaining access. Sponsors can manage multiple guests, reset passwords, modify account validity, or terminate sessions directly from ISE’s sponsor portal. The combination of self-service registration and sponsor-based verification ensures both efficiency and control over visitor onboarding.
Guest access is also designed to be highly secure. Administrators can enforce strict session restrictions such as time-limited access, device-limited access, or expiration windows. Bandwidth throttling can be implemented to prevent guests from consuming excessive network resources. VLAN assignment, downloadable ACLs, or SGT-based segmentation ensure that guest traffic is isolated from internal corporate systems. This network segmentation prevents visitors from accessing sensitive servers, applications, or internal databases. Even if a guest device becomes infected with malware, isolation ensures that internal systems remain protected.
Cisco ISE maintains detailed logs of all guest login attempts, session duration, authentication methods, account creation actions, and sponsor approvals. This audit trail is essential for security monitoring, incident response, and compliance reporting. Administrators can also generate reports on guest activity, track network utilization, and analyze peaks in visitor traffic. These insights help organizations plan bandwidth requirements, improve operational efficiency, and maintain accountability for all temporary users on the network.
Another advantage of guest access is its integration with other Cisco ISE features. Administrators can incorporate identity sources to authenticate sponsors, use policy sets to define how guest traffic is handled, and apply profiling data to identify device categories. Guest access integrates seamlessly with wireless controllers, wired switches, and VPN gateways, ensuring consistent behavior across the entire network. For example, whether a visitor connects over Wi-Fi, a wired port in a conference room, or a guest VLAN, ISE applies the same onboarding workflows and authorization controls.
In contrast, the other options serve important functions in Cisco ISE but do not provide the capabilities required for visitor onboarding or temporary network access. Posture assessment evaluates device health and compliance by checking antivirus, firewall, operating system updates, or encryption status. While posture assessment is critical for employee or corporate-owned devices, it does not initiate guest onboarding processes or provide captive portals. It focuses on verifying device security rather than granting temporary visitor access.
Policy sets define authentication and authorization rules in Cisco ISE. While policy sets determine how different user types are treated, they do not include features such as self-registration portals, sponsor approval mechanisms, or temporary account creation. They provide structure for policy enforcement but do not manage guest workflows or guest lifecycle processes.
Profiling identifies and categorizes devices based on network behavior, DHCP attributes, MAC addresses, and traffic signatures. Although profiling can help distinguish guest devices from corporate devices, it does not provide the mechanism for guests to self-register, request approval, or receive controlled temporary access. Profiling enhances policy enforcement but does not create user accounts, manage session lifetimes, or operate guest web portals.
The core value of Cisco ISE guest access lies in its ability to balance convenience and security. It enables organizations to provide easy, user-friendly access for visitors while ensuring that no sensitive internal resources are exposed. Temporary accounts, captive portals, time-bound access, sponsor approval, segmentation, and complete auditing combine to create a controlled, secure guest experience. Because it provides the essential functions of self-registration, sponsor approval, temporary connectivity, traffic isolation, and session control, guest access is the correct answer.
Question 72
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to dynamically update active session access based on compliance, threat intelligence, or contextual changes without requiring reauthentication?
A) Change of Authorization
B) Posture Assessment
C) Policy Sets
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Change of Authorization in Cisco Identity Services Engine is a fundamental mechanism that enables organizations to dynamically alter the access privileges of endpoints that are already authenticated and connected to the network. In modern enterprise environments, security conditions can change rapidly, and relying solely on initial authentication is not enough to maintain strong protection. Devices may join the network in a compliant state, but as time passes, their posture, behavior, or threat exposure may shift. Change of Authorization addresses this challenge by allowing Cisco ISE to push updates to network enforcement points in real time without forcing users or devices to disconnect or go through a new authentication cycle. This dramatically improves the responsiveness and adaptability of network access control.
After an endpoint successfully authenticates, Cisco ISE continuously monitors various contextual signals that may influence the trustworthiness of that endpoint. These signals can include posture assessment results, profiling data, user behavior analytics, threat intelligence feeds, and integrations with external systems through pxGrid. If any of these data sources report a change that affects the security classification of the device, Cisco ISE can immediately trigger Change of Authorization. For example, an employee laptop may initially pass a posture check by having updated antivirus signatures and all required patches. Later, if the antivirus software becomes outdated or the device’s firewall is disabled, the posture assessment system will detect noncompliance. That assessment alone does not change the actual access rights, but it provides the information needed for Cisco ISE to initiate Change of Authorization, which then enforces new restrictions on the device.
Similarly, Change of Authorization is essential when dealing with devices that become compromised after joining the network. Integrations with threat intelligence platforms, endpoint detection and response tools, or other security analytics systems can identify suspicious behavior or confirm that a device has been infected with malware. Once that information reaches Cisco ISE, it can immediately instruct the network infrastructure to restrict the device’s privileges. This could mean placing it in a quarantine VLAN, applying a more restrictive ACL, limiting its access to only remediation servers, or blocking its access entirely. Without Change of Authorization, organizations would be forced to wait until the next authentication cycle, leaving the network exposed to ongoing threats.
Change of Authorization messages use the RADIUS protocol and are sent to enforcement points such as switches, wireless LAN controllers, VPN headends, and other network access devices. These enforcement devices apply the updated session parameters to the active connection. The ability to modify an existing session without disruption is crucial for maintaining user productivity while upholding strict security standards. In environments with thousands of endpoints, manually disconnecting or forcing reauthentication would be inefficient and disruptive. CoA provides a precise and automated method of enforcing security updates.
Triggers for Change of Authorization can be manual or automatic. Administrators may manually invoke CoA when they need to apply immediate changes to specific endpoints, such as when responding to an incident or enforcing new security rules. More commonly, CoA is triggered automatically as part of the normal operation of Cisco ISE. Posture assessment modules, identity profiling engines, policy-based automation rules, and pxGrid-connected security systems continuously feed data into ISE. When ISE determines that policy conditions have changed, it can automatically send CoA updates to ensure that an active session’s privileges always match the current security requirements. This automated approach supports zero trust principles, where access is continuously evaluated rather than granted indefinitely.
It is important to understand that related components like posture assessment, policy sets, and guest access support the overall access control framework but do not perform the same function as Change of Authorization. Posture assessment determines whether a device complies with organizational security policies, such as having updated software or required configurations. However, posture assessment does not apply any session changes by itself; it only supplies information. The enforcement of access changes happens through Change of Authorization. Policy sets provide the logic that determines which authentication and authorization rules should be applied under different conditions. These policies define access permissions but do not modify an active session once it is established. Meanwhile, guest access offers temporary credentials and controlled connectivity for external users but does not dynamically alter privileges based on changing conditions. None of these mechanisms replace the ability of CoA to adjust active session parameters instantly.
Change of Authorization is therefore essential for maintaining adaptive access control, where privileges are not static but evolve according to changes in context, identity, behavior, and threat environment. By pushing changes to connected endpoints in real time, CoA reduces the window of exposure when a device becomes risky. It enables consistent enforcement of security policies, supports compliance mandates, strengthens network segmentation strategies, and enhances overall threat containment. For these reasons, Change of Authorization is the correct and most accurate capability when discussing dynamic modification of active session access rights within Cisco ISE environments.
Question 73
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to integrate with external security systems such as SIEMs, firewalls, and endpoint protection for automated threat response and adaptive access?
A) pxGrid
B) Posture Assessment
C) Policy Sets
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
PxGrid in Cisco ISE plays a crucial role in modern enterprise security architecture by enabling real-time integration and context sharing among multiple security platforms. As networks become more complex and threats evolve rapidly, isolated security tools cannot provide the level of coordination needed for effective detection, containment, and response. PxGrid solves this challenge by allowing Cisco ISE to communicate directly with external systems such as SIEM solutions, firewalls, endpoint detection and response platforms, network access control extensions, identity systems, and threat intelligence feeds. Through this bi-directional exchange of data, pxGrid ensures that any change in user behavior, device posture, or security status can trigger immediate enforcement actions across the enterprise network.
The pxGrid’s functionality lies in its ability to share contextual data in real time. Cisco ISE collects a wide range of information about connected devices and users, including identity details, authentication methods, group membership, device type, operating system, compliance status, location, and session activity. PxGrid makes this information available to external tools that require accurate context for making security decisions. At the same time, pxGrid enables these security platforms to feed threat intelligence back into ISE. For example, if an endpoint detection and response system identifies malicious behavior such as ransomware execution, privilege escalation attempts, or unusual process activity, this alert can be sent immediately to ISE. ISE can then execute an automated response, such as moving the device into a quarantine VLAN, limiting it to remediation services, or blocking its network session entirely.
This automation significantly reduces the window of exposure between threat detection and network containment. Instead of relying on manual intervention, which may take several minutes or even hours, pxGrid allows ISE to enforce policies within seconds. Such rapid response is essential in environments where threats spread quickly or where compromised devices can cause significant damage if not isolated immediately. PxGrid also improves the overall accuracy of security decisions by ensuring that every action is based on up-to-date, validated, and shared context rather than static or outdated information.
Another powerful capability of pxGrid is its support for continuous adaptive access enforcement. Traditional network access control solutions generally make decisions only at the moment of authentication. However, device risk and user behavior can change dynamically. With pxGrid, access controls can adapt throughout the session. If a device becomes non-compliant, receives a high-risk score from a threat intelligence platform, or triggers an alert in a SIEM, pxGrid allows ISE to immediately modify its access privileges. This could involve downgrading the user’s access level, restricting sensitive resources, or forcing re-authentication.
PxGrid also enhances visibility across the security ecosystem by consolidating fragmented data sources. Because multiple security systems often operate independently, correlating events across them can be difficult. PxGrid creates a unified security fabric where identity, device posture, session activity, and threat data can be correlated in real time. This assists SOC analysts in identifying attack patterns, tracking lateral movement, and understanding the full scope of incidents. For SIEM platforms in particular, pxGrid provides valuable additional context that improves alert accuracy, reduces false positives, and enhances threat detection.
In contrast, the other features listed perform valuable functions in Cisco ISE but lack the integration, automation, and threat response capabilities that pxGrid delivers. Posture Assessment focuses solely on validating device compliance with security requirements such as the presence of antivirus software, OS updates, firewall status, or disk encryption. While important, posture assessment does not communicate with external security platforms for automated threat response and does not support adaptive enforcement triggered by third-party alerts. It is limited to evaluating device health rather than coordinating security actions across the network.
Policy Sets allow administrators to organize and structure access control rules in ISE. They determine which conditions apply to different authentication and authorization flows. However, policy sets do not provide real-time event integration with external systems and cannot automatically react to threat alerts from platforms outside of ISE. Their purpose is to organize rules efficiently, not to automate adaptive security responses.
Guest Access is designed to provide temporary network connectivity for visitors, consultants, or contractors. It includes capabilities such as self-registration, sponsor approval, and time-limited access. Guest Access does not integrate with external threat detection systems, does not perform continuous assessment, and does not support automated threat enforcement. It is intended for convenience rather than active security coordination.
The unique advantage of pxGrid is its ability to bridge the gap between identity-based access control and threat-centered security operations. By allowing ISE to both share and receive contextual intelligence in real time, pxGrid enables organizations to implement highly efficient automated response workflows. This reduces the dependency on manual human intervention and strengthens the organization’s security posture. PxGrid transforms traditional network access into a dynamic and adaptive security model where access decisions are continuously informed by the latest threat data and device conditions.
Question 74
Which Cisco ISE feature allows administrators to create hierarchical authentication and authorization rules using contextual information such as user identity, device type, location, and posture?
A) Policy Sets
B) Posture Assessment
C) Profiling
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Policy Sets in Cisco Identity Services Engine represent one of the most powerful and foundational mechanisms for implementing structured, scalable, and context-aware network access control. They allow administrators to build hierarchical authentication and authorization rules that determine who can connect to the network, how they can connect, and what resources they are permitted to access once authenticated. These rules are not created in isolation; instead, they rely on a wide range of contextual factors such as user identity, group membership, device category, device posture, connection method, location within the network, and even time of day. By leveraging this combination of identity and contextual data, Policy Sets enable an organization to enforce highly granular and dynamic access policies aligned with security requirements and compliance standards.
A key strength of Policy Sets is that they incorporate information from multiple identity sources. Cisco ISE can integrate with Active Directory, LDAP directories, certificate authorities, external identity providers, and various third-party systems. When an endpoint attempts to connect, ISE evaluates the user’s credentials or certificates, retrieves directory group membership, analyzes machine identity attributes, and checks the authentication method being used. Policy Sets use these inputs to decide which rule set should apply. This hierarchical model means administrators can create top-level policy sets for broad categories such as employees, contractors, guests, IoT sensors, or unmanaged devices, and then create increasingly detailed sub-rules to enforce more specific access conditions. This structure ensures that the most relevant rule is evaluated first, improving performance and making policies easier to maintain as organizations grow.
Policy Sets also work closely with other Cisco ISE components, particularly Posture Assessment and Profiling, which add additional layers of intelligence to access control. Posture Assessment evaluates whether an endpoint complies with the organization’s security requirements, such as having updated antivirus software, enabled firewalls, critical patches installed, or prohibited applications removed. Profiling, on the other hand, determines the type of device connecting to the network, whether it is a corporate laptop, mobile phone, printer, camera, smart TV, IoT sensor, or any other category. Profiling uses behavior analysis, DHCP attributes, MAC OUI, protocols in use, traffic patterns, and other metadata to identify the device. Policy Sets can combine information from identity, posture, and profiling to create decisions that are far more precise than simple credential-based authentication.
For example, an enterprise may want to grant full network access only to corporate-managed Windows domain laptops that successfully pass a posture check. A similar user logging in from a personal device may be allowed only limited access, such as a guest VLAN or a restricted remediation network. Similarly, IoT devices that cannot authenticate traditionally may be placed into highly controlled VLANs based solely on their profile category. Policy Sets orchestrate all of these possibilities by associating conditions and results into a single structured framework. This allows administrators to enforce Zero Trust principles, granting minimum required access based on real-time evaluation of both the user and the device.
Another critical capability enabled by Policy Sets is their integration with Change of Authorization, or CoA. CoA allows ISE to dynamically modify a device’s network access after it has already connected, without forcing the user to disconnect or reauthenticate manually. With CoA, if a device initially passes all posture and profiling checks but later becomes noncompliant—for example, if antivirus has been disabled or a high-risk application is detected—ISE can immediately restrict the device’s access by changing its VLAN, applying a different ACL, or limiting network services. Conversely, a device that was initially restricted but later becomes compliant after remediation can be granted elevated access in real time. This dynamic interaction between Policy Sets and CoA significantly enhances security responsiveness and ensures that network access is continuously evaluated rather than determined only at the moment of initial authentication.
In contrast, Posture Assessment alone cannot define hierarchical access rules. While posture provides crucial compliance data, it does not determine which policy rules should apply or how different categories of users and devices should be handled. It is one component of the decision process, but it does not itself enforce access decisions. Profiling also performs only identification and classification functions; it cannot dictate who should be granted access or at what level. Profiling simply helps the system recognize devices, but the access logic is ultimately controlled through Policy Sets. Guest Access, meanwhile, focuses on providing temporary and limited access for visitors, partners, or contractors. It does not create layered, identity-based, or context-dependent network rules. Guest Access systems are typically isolated from core authentication policies and are not intended to form the backbone of enterprise-level access control.
Policy Sets provide centralized, scalable, and deeply granular control over network access. They unify inputs from identity stores, device profiling, posture assessments, connection context, certificate status, and environmental attributes into a single policy framework. Their hierarchical design allows organizations to create policies that are easy to manage yet capable of handling highly complex real-world requirements. Because Policy Sets allow administrators to define layered authentication and authorization rules based on identity, device type, location, posture, and other critical attributes, they are the correct answer and represent the only option capable of delivering comprehensive, context-aware, enterprise-grade access control across diverse network environments.
Question 75
Which Cisco ISE feature enables administrators to enforce network access policies based on user role, device type, location, and time of day, allowing for context-aware access control?
A) Policy Sets
B) Posture Assessment
C) Profiling
D) Guest Access
Answer: A
Explanation
Policy Sets in Cisco ISE enable context-aware access control by evaluating multiple factors such as user role, device type, location, and time of day before granting access to network resources. This capability allows organizations to implement adaptive security policies that respond to changing contexts. For example, a corporate user accessing the network from a secure office location may receive full access, whereas the same user connecting from a public network may be restricted to certain services. Similarly, contractors or IoT devices may have access limited by their device type, ensuring they only reach approved resources. Time-based policies allow administrators to restrict access outside business hours or enforce stricter security measures during off-peak periods.
Policy sets operate by combining contextual information from Profiling, Posture Assessment, and identity stores. Profiling provides device type information, Posture Assessment determines compliance, and identity sources such as Active Directory provide role-based information. This integration ensures that access decisions are dynamic and tailored to both the user and the device context. Policy sets also leverage Change of Authorization (CoA) to adapt session attributes in real time, adjusting access when conditions such as posture violations or security threats are detected.
Posture Assessment ensures endpoints meet security compliance but does not evaluate multiple contextual factors to make hierarchical access decisions. Profiling identifies devices but does not enforce access based on user role or time of day. Guest Access provides temporary connectivity without context-aware enforcement for internal users or devices.
Policy Sets deliver granular, adaptive, and context-aware access enforcement by combining multiple criteria to determine network privileges. Because they evaluate user role, device type, location, and time to make access decisions, Policy Sets is the correct answer.