Cisco CCNP Security (350-701 SCOR v1.0) Exam Objectives
The CCNP Security (Cisco Certified Network Professional Security) certification validates advanced knowledge and skills in securing Cisco networks. The core exam, 350-701 SCOR (Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies), focuses on designing, implementing, and managing network security solutions to protect enterprise infrastructure against evolving cyber threats.
Why We Need It
With the increasing number of cyberattacks and security breaches, organizations demand professionals who can secure their networks, devices, and data. CCNP Security prepares IT professionals to handle real-world challenges by mastering threat detection, mitigation, VPNs, firewalls, identity services, and cloud security.
How It Is Useful
- Builds strong foundational and advanced skills in network security, cloud security, content security, and endpoint protection.
- Enhances understanding of Cisco’s advanced technologies like Cisco Secure Firewalls, ISE, Stealthwatch, and SecureX.
- Equips learners to work in roles such as Network Security Engineer, Security Analyst, or Security Consultant.
- Provides the core requirement for further CCNP Security concentration exams (specializations like VPN, Firewalls, Automation, etc.).
How It Can Help Your Career
- Positions you as a trusted expert in enterprise network security.
- Recognized globally by organizations that rely on Cisco infrastructure.
- Serves as a stepping stone toward CCIE Security, one of the most respected expert-level certifications in networking.
- Improves job opportunities and salary potential in the cybersecurity domain.
Exam and Certification Details
- Core Exam Code: 350-701 SCOR (Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies)
- Exam Duration: 120 minutes
- Format: Multiple-choice and simulation-based questions
- Languages: English and Japanese
- Recommended Prerequisites: Understanding of networking fundamentals, CCNA-level knowledge, and basic security concepts
Validity and Renewal
- Validity Period: 3 years from the date of certification
- Renewal Options:
- Pass any professional-level or higher Cisco exam, or
- Earn Continuing Education (CE) credits through Cisco-approved training or activities
In Summary
The CCNP Security 350-701 SCOR v1.1 course empowers IT professionals to build and secure robust enterprise networks using Cisco’s latest technologies. It’s essential for anyone pursuing a career in network or cybersecurity, offering both practical skills and industry-recognized certification that validate your expertise in defending today’s digital infrastructure.
Domain 1.0 – Security Concepts (25%)
1.1 Explain common threats against on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments
• On-premises: viruses, trojans, DoS/DDoS, phishing, rootkits, man-in-the-middle, SQL injection, XSS, malware
• Cloud: data breaches, insecure APIs, DoS/DDoS, compromised credentials
1.2 Compare common security vulnerabilities
• Software bugs, weak/hardcoded passwords, OWASP Top Ten, missing encryption ciphers, buffer overflow, path traversal, cross-site scripting/forgery
1.3 Describe functions of cryptography components
• Hashing, encryption, PKI, SSL, IPsec, NAT-T IPv4 for IPsec, preshared key, certificate-based authorization
1.4 Compare site-to-site and remote access VPN deployment types and components
• Virtual tunnel interfaces, IPsec, DMVPN, FlexVPN, Cisco Secure Client, high availability considerations
1.5 Describe security intelligence authoring, sharing, and consumption
1.6 Describe the controls used to protect against phishing and social engineering attacks
1.7 Explain North Bound and South Bound APIs in the SDN architecture
1.8 Explain Cisco DNA Center APIs for network provisioning, optimization, monitoring, and troubleshooting
1.9 Interpret basic Python scripts used to call Cisco Security appliances APIs
Domain 2.0 – Network Security (20%)
2.1 Compare network security solutions that provide intrusion prevention and firewall capabilities
2.2 Describe deployment models of network security solutions and architectures that provide intrusion prevention and firewall capabilities
2.3 Describe the components, capabilities, and benefits of NetFlow and Flexible NetFlow records
2.4 Configure and verify network infrastructure security methods
2.4.a Layer 2 methods (network segmentation using VLANs; Layer 2 and port security; DHCP snooping; Dynamic ARP inspection; storm control; PVLANs to segregate network traffic; and defenses against MAC, ARP, VLAN hopping, STP, and DHCP rogue attacks)
2.4.b Device hardening of network infrastructure security devices (control plane, data plane, and management plane)
2.5 Implement segmentation, access control policies, AVC, URL filtering, malware protection, and intrusion policies
2.6 Implement management options for network security solutions (single vs. multi-device manager, in-band vs. out-of-band, cloud vs. on-premises)
2.7 Configure AAA for device and network access such as TACACS+ and RADIUS
2.8 Configure secure network management of perimeter security and infrastructure devices such as SNMPv3, NetConf, RestConf, APIs, secure syslog, and NTP with authentication
2.9 Configure and verify site-to-site and remote access VPN
2.9.a Site-to-site VPN using Cisco routers and IOS
2.9.b Remote access VPN using Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility client
2.9.c Debug commands to view IPsec tunnel establishment and troubleshooting
Domain 3.0 – Securing the Cloud (15%)
3.1 Identify security solutions for cloud environments
3.1.a Public, private, hybrid, and community clouds
3.1.b Cloud service models: SaaS, PaaS, IaaS (NIST 800-145)
3.2 Compare security responsibility for the different cloud service models
3.2.a Patch management in the cloud
3.2.b Security assessment in the cloud
3.3 Describe the concept of DevSecOps (CI/CD pipeline, container orchestration, and secure software development)
3.4 Implement application and data security in cloud environments
3.5 Identify security capabilities, deployment models, and policy management to secure the cloud
3.6 Configure cloud logging and monitoring methodologies
3.7 Describe application and workload security concepts
Domain 4.0 – Content Security (15%)
4.1 Implement traffic redirection and capture methods for web proxy
4.2 Describe web proxy identity and authentication including transparent user identification
4.3 Compare the components, capabilities, and benefits of on-premises, hybrid, and cloud-based email and web solutions (Cisco Secure Email Gateway, Cisco Secure Email Cloud Gateway, and Cisco Secure Web Appliance)
4.4 Configure and verify web and email security deployment methods to protect on-premises, hybrid, and remote users
4.5 Configure and verify email security features such as SPAM filtering, antimalware filtering, DLP, blocklisting, and email encryption
4.6 Configure and verify Cisco Umbrella Secure Internet Gateway and web security features such as blocklisting, URL filtering, malware scanning, URL categorization, web application filtering, and TLS decryption
4.7 Describe the components, capabilities, and benefits of Cisco Umbrella
4.8 Configure and verify web security controls on Cisco Umbrella (identities, URL content settings, destination lists, and reporting)
Domain 5.0 – Endpoint Protection and Detection (10%)
5.1 Compare Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) and Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) solutions
5.2 Configure endpoint antimalware protection using Cisco Secure Endpoint
5.3 Configure and verify outbreak control and quarantines to limit infection
5.4 Describe justifications for endpoint-based security
5.5 Describe the value of endpoint device management and asset inventory systems such as MDM
5.6 Describe the uses and importance of a multifactor authentication (MFA) strategy
5.7 Describe endpoint posture assessment solutions to ensure endpoint security
5.8 Explain the importance of an endpoint patching strategy
15% 6.0 Secure Network Access, Visibility, and Enforcement
6.1 Describe identity management and secure network access concepts such as guest services, profiling, posture assessment and BYOD
6.2 Configure and verify network access control mechanisms such as 802.1X, MAB, WebAuth
6.3 Describe network access with CoA
6.4 Describe the benefits of device compliance and application control
6.5 Explain exfiltration techniques (DNS tunneling, HTTPS, email, FTP/SSH/SCP/SFTP, ICMP, Messenger, IRC, NTP)
6.6 Describe the benefits of network telemetry
6.7 Describe the components, capabilities, and benefits of these security products and solutions
6.7.a Cisco Secure Network Analytics
6.7.b Cisco Secure Cloud Analytics
6.7.c Cisco pxGrid
6.7.d Cisco Umbrella Investigate
6.7.e Cisco Cognitive Intelligence
6.7.f Cisco Encrypted Traffic Analytics
6.7.g Cisco Secure Client Network Visibility Module (NVM)
