Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security certification is one of the most recognized and respected certifications in the networking industry. The CCNP Security (350-701 SCOR) certification focuses on network security technologies and best practices to secure Cisco networks. It confirms that you have the ability to create, set up, and oversee Cisco network security solutions effectively based on your skills and knowledge.
In the modern world, businesses, no matter their size, are worried about cyber threats. Cybercriminals keep inventing new ways to attack networks and steal important information. That’s why network security is a very important part of an organization’s overall safety measures.
The CCNP Security certification is great for professionals who want to become experts in network security and improve their job opportunities. But, getting ready for the CCNP Security exam can be tough because it needs a deep understanding of many security technologies, rules, and systems.
To help aspiring candidates pass the CCNP Security (350-701 SCOR) exam, Cisco has developed a comprehensive study guide that covers all the topics in detail. This guide offers in-depth information about what’s covered in the exam, study resources, practice tests, and additional details. In this blog, we’ll thoroughly examine the CCNP Security (350-701 SCOR) study guide, go over its attributes, and offer advice to help you excel in the exam. If you’re getting ready to take the CCNP Security exam, continue reading to discover more!
350-701 SCOR Exam Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this exam. However, it would be helpful if the candidate has knowledge of the following:
- To begin with, Familiarity with Ethernet and TCP/IP networking
- Then, Working knowledge of the Windows operating system
- Further, Working knowledge of Cisco IOS networking and concepts
- Also, Familiarity with the basics of networking security concepts
Glossary for CCNP Security (350-701 SCOR)
Here’s a glossary of terms related to the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security certification exam (350-701 SCOR):
- Access Control: The process of controlling access to a network or system by enforcing policies and procedures that limit the ability of users to perform certain actions.
- Access Control List (ACL): A list of rules that determine what traffic is allowed or denied access to a network or system.
- Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA): A security device developed by Cisco that provides network security services, such as firewall protection and intrusion prevention.
- Application Visibility and Control (AVC): A feature that provides administrators with insight into application usage on a network, and the ability to control access to specific applications.
- Authentication: Authentication is the process of confirming who a user or device is when they want to use a network or system.
- Authorization: The process of determining whether a user or device has permission to access a specific resource or perform a specific action.
- Botnet: A botnet is a group of hacked computers that bad people control to do harmful things, like attacking websites all at once or sending lots of unwanted emails.
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): A policy that lets employees use their own devices like smartphones or laptops to get to company stuff.
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE): A network access control (NAC) solution that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services.
- Cloud Security: Securing information and programs that are kept in cloud environments is called cloud security.
- Cryptography: The practice of using mathematical algorithms to protect data and communications from unauthorized access or modification.
- Denial-of-Service (DoS): An attack that floods a network or system with traffic in an attempt to overwhelm it and make it unavailable to users.
- Endpoint Security: The practice of securing devices, such as laptops and smartphones, that connect to a network or system.
- Firewall: A security gadget that watches and manages the network traffic coming in and going out using a set of rules is known as a firewall.
- Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): A security device that detects and prevents network-based attacks, such as port scanning and denial-of-service attacks.
- Malware: A type of software that is designed to harm a computer system or network, such as viruses, worms, and trojans.
- Network Address Translation (NAT): A technique that allows multiple devices on a network to share a single IP address.
- Network-Based Security: The practice of securing a network by implementing security controls at the network layer, such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems.
- Port Security: A feature that allows administrators to restrict access to a network switch port based on the MAC address of a device.
- Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): A protocol that provides secure communication over the internet by encrypting data transmitted between a client and server.
Exam preparation resources for CCNP Security (350-701 SCOR) exam
here are some official resources that can help you prepare for the CCNP Security (350-701 SCOR) exam:
- Cisco CCNP Security Certification: This page provides an overview of the CCNP Security certification and its requirements, as well as links to exam topics and study materials.
- Cisco Learning Network: The Cisco Learning Network is an online community where you can find study groups, discussion forums, and training resources for the CCNP Security exam.
https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/community/certifications/security_ccnp
- Exam Topics: This page provides a detailed list of exam topics, which can help you create a study plan and focus your preparation efforts.
- Cisco Press: Cisco Press is the official publisher of Cisco certification study materials. They offer a variety of books, eBooks, and practice tests to help you prepare for the CCNP Security exam.
https://www.ciscopress.com/certification/ccnp-security
- Practice Exam: Cisco offers a practice exam to help you prepare for the real exam. This practice exam contains 60 questions and is timed at 90 minutes.
- Training Courses: Cisco offers a variety of training courses to help you prepare for the CCNP Security exam. These courses are available online or in-person.
Expert tips to pass the CCNP Security (350-701 SCOR) exam
Here are some expert tips to help you pass the CCNP Security (350-701 SCOR) Exam:
- Study the exam objectives: Make sure you are familiar with the exam objectives and topics. The official Cisco CCNP Security Exam page outlines the topics covered in the exam. Ensure you have a solid understanding of all the topics.
- Read Cisco documentation: Cisco documentation is an essential resource for the CCNP Security exam. Read the official Cisco guides and whitepapers on the exam topics. This will give you a good understanding of the concepts and technologies you need to know for the exam.
- Practice with hands-on experience: Practical experience is crucial for passing the CCNP Security exam. Use virtual labs or create your own lab environment to practice configuring, troubleshooting, and deploying security solutions. This will help you develop a better understanding of how security solutions work in real-world scenarios.
- Join Cisco study groups: Join Cisco study groups online or in person. This will help you network with other professionals who are also studying for the CCNP Security exam. Discussing the exam topics with others can help you fill any gaps in your knowledge.
- Use practice tests: Use practice tests to assess your knowledge and understanding of the exam topics. Cisco provides official practice exams that are a good representation of the real exam. Other third-party resources also offer practice tests that can be useful.
- Manage your time: In the CCNP Security exam, time management is crucial. Make sure you have enough time for each question, but don’t get stuck on one. If a question is tough, skip it and return later.
- Read the questions carefully: Read each question carefully and understand what it’s asking. Make sure you are answering the question that’s being asked and not just giving a general response.
- Stay calm and confident: Finally, stay calm and confident during the exam. Take deep breaths and try to relax. Remember, you have prepared for this exam and have the knowledge and skills to pass.
Guide for CCNP Security 350-701 SCOR
If you have access to the correct resources, passing the exam can be simple. Make sure the content is accurate and trustworthy. How well you prepare and pass the exam will be determined by the resources you choose. As a result, you must exercise extreme caution when selecting preparatory materials. The materials listed in the following study guide are some of the most highly recommended. It also outlines the steps that will secure your exam success.
Step 1- Download the Course Outline to Review all Exam Objectives
Before embarking on any journey, it’s crucial to understand what you’re getting into. With that in mind, thoroughly reviewing each exam objective becomes a vital part of your preparation. So, be sure to visit the Official website of CISCO and download the course outline, which contains all the areas and topics covered in the exam. Allocate sufficient time to study each of these areas and try to shape your study plan around the exam concepts. This exam covers the following domains:
Domain 1: Security Concepts (25%)
- Firstly, this domain focuses on explaining common threats against on-premises and cloud environments.
- Then, comparing common security vulnerabilities such as software bugs, weak and/or hardcoded passwords, SQL injection, missing encryption, buffer overflow, path traversal, cross-site scripting/forgery. Moreover, describing functions of the cryptography components such as hashing, encryption, PKI, SSL, IPsec, NAT-T IPv4 for IPsec, pre-shared key and certificate-based authorization. Also, comparing site-to-site VPN and remote access VPN deployment types such as sVTI, IPsec, Crypto map, DMVPN, FLEX VPN including high availability considerations, and AnyConnect.
- Further, describing security intelligence authoring, sharing, and consumption and explaining the role of the endpoint in protecting humans from phishing and social engineering attacks.
- Lastly, explaining North Bound and South Bound APIs in the SDN architecture. Then, explaining DNAC APIs for network provisioning, optimization, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Lastly, interpreting basic Python scripts used to call Cisco Security appliances APIs.
Domain 2: Network Security (20%)
- The second domain covers comparing network security solutions that provide intrusion prevention and firewall capabilities. Describing deployment models of network security solutions and architectures that provide intrusion prevention and firewall capabilities.
- Then, describing the components, capabilities, and benefits of NetFlow and Flexible NetFlow records.
- Configuring and verifying network infrastructure security methods. Also, implementing segmentation, access control policies, AVC, URL filtering, and malware protection.
- Implementing management options for network security solutions such as intrusion prevention and perimeter security.
- Moreover, configuring AAA for device and network access and secure network management of perimeter security and infrastructure. Further, configuring and verify site-to-site VPN and remote access VPN.
Domain 3: Securing the Cloud (30%)
- Further, this domain includes identifying security solutions for cloud environments.
- Then, comparing the customer vs. provider security responsibility for the different cloud service models. Also, describing the concept of DevSecOps (CI/CD pipeline, container orchestration, and security. In addition to implementing application and data security in cloud environments.
- Moreover, identifying security capabilities, deployment models, and policy management to secure the cloud. Lastly, configuring cloud logging and monitoring methodologies and describing application and workload security concepts.
Domain 4: Content Security (15%)
- This domain aims at describing traffic redirection and capture methods and web proxy identity and authentication including transparent user identification.
- Then, comparing the components, capabilities, and benefits of local and cloud-based email and web solutions. Also, configuring and verify web and email security deployment methods to protect on-premises and remote users.
- Further, configuring and verify email security features such as SPAM filtering, anti-malware filtering, DLP, blacklisting, and email encryption.
- Moreover, configuring and verify secure internet gateway and web security features such as blacklisting, URL filtering, malware scanning, URL categorization, web application filtering, and TLS decryption.
- Describing the components, capabilities, and benefits of Cisco Umbrella. Lastly, configuring and verify web security controls on Cisco Umbrella (identities, URL content settings, destination lists, and reporting)
Domain 5: Endpoint Protection and Detection (15%)
- This domain includes comparing Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) and Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) solutions.
- Explaining antimalware, retrospective security, Indication of Compromise (IOC), antivirus, dynamic file analysis, and endpoint-sourced telemetry.
- Also, configuring and verify outbreak control and quarantines to limit infection. Then, describing justifications for endpoint-based security and value of endpoint device management and asset inventory such as MDM.
- Moreover, describing the uses and importance of multifactor authentication (MFA) strategy.
- Furthermore, describing endpoint posture assessment solutions to ensure endpoint security and explaining the importance of an endpoint patching strategy.
Domain 6: Secure Network Access, Visibility, and Enforcement (15%)
- Lastly, this domain focuses on describing identity management and secure network access concepts such as guest services, profiling, posture assessment and BYOD.
- Then, configuring and verify network access device functionality such as 802.1X, MAB, WebAuth.
- Describing network access with CoA and the benefits of device compliance and application control. Also, explaining exfiltration techniques, describing the benefits of network telemetry and the components, capabilities, and benefits of these security products and solutions.
Step 2- Official Cisco training
Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR) v1.0 is the 350-701 SCOR exam, and Cisco offers an official training course to help students prepare for it. This will assist you in preparing for the Cisco CCNP and CCIE Security certifications, as well as senior-level security responsibilities.
In this course you will learn the following:
- Firstly, describing information security concepts and strategies within the network
- Secondly, describing common TCP/IP, network application, and endpoint attacks
- Thirdly, describing how various network security technologies work together to guard against attacks
- Also, implementing access control on the Cisco ASA appliance and Cisco Firepower Next-Generation Firewall
- The, describing and implement basic email content security features and functions provided by the Cisco Email Security Appliance
- Further, describing and implement web content security features and functions provided by the Cisco Web Security Appliance
- Lastly, describing Cisco Umbrella security capabilities, deployment models, policy management, and Investigate console
Step 3- Go for Private Group Training
Cisco offers candidates Private group training that brings the Cisco classroom experience anywhere, whether it’s an office, or to an offsite location of your choice. This can deliver any Cisco course in this format, from certification classes to the latest technology and business transformation training. Moreover, Private group training is a convenient, cost-effective choice for groups with many people who all need the same training.
Step 4- Discover the Cisco Learning Library
Cisco provides a Learning Library to help candidates to gain foundational knowledge and skills for all network needs. However, this new library includes the Cisco Platinum Learning Library and Cisco Technical Knowledge Library for a great price. Cisco Learning Library for 350-701 SCOR exam is an online certification training program that helps candidates to explore new opportunities. Additionally, it provides access to the Cisco Technical Knowledge Library that comes with best practices, design guides, and live webinars.
Step 5- Join Online Study Groups
Joining study groups is something that will be advantageous during the exam preparation period. These groups will help you stay in touch with others who are traveling the same route as you. Furthermore, you can start a debate about any exam-related concern or query here. You will receive the best possible response to your query if you do so.
Step 6- Attempt Practice Tests
Practice exams are essential for being comfortable with the exam structure. They keep your preparations in check and are a wonderful approach to detecting knowledge gaps that can be addressed. Furthermore, practice papers provide the necessary simulation for the brain to become accustomed to the actual exam. Taking many practice tests will also help you prepare better. There are plenty of practice tests available, but be sure to pick the correct and trustworthy ones. Let’s begin practicing immediately to boost your confidence!
