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Question 1

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Which cryptographic algorithm is considered quantum-resistant and uses lattice-based mathematics for key exchange?

RSA-4096

Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH)

CRYSTALS-Kyber

Diffie-Hellman with 2048-bit keys

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CCNP Security Exam

~30-40%

First-Attempt Pass Rate

Industry estimate

~70%

Passing Score (est.)

Cisco

300-400 hrs

Study Time

Recommended

$100-140K

Median Salary Range

Industry data

$400

Exam Fee

Cisco

3 years

Certification Valid

Cisco

The CCNP Security (SCOR 350-701) is Cisco's professional-level security certification with an estimated 30-40% first-attempt pass rate. It requires approximately 70% to pass with 90-110 questions in 120 minutes. Security Concepts and Network Security each comprise 20% of the exam. CCNP Security holders earn a median of $100,000-140,000 depending on role and location.

Sample CCNP Security Practice Questions

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1Which cryptographic algorithm is considered quantum-resistant and uses lattice-based mathematics for key exchange?

A.RSA-4096

B.Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH)

C.CRYSTALS-Kyber

D.Diffie-Hellman with 2048-bit keys

Explanation: CRYSTALS-Kyber is a lattice-based key encapsulation mechanism (KEM) that is designed to be resistant to attacks from quantum computers. It was selected by NIST in 2024 as a standard for post-quantum cryptography. RSA and traditional Diffie-Hellman are vulnerable to quantum attacks using Shor's algorithm. While ECDH is more efficient than RSA, it is also based on discrete logarithm problems that quantum computers could solve.

2In the Zero Trust security model, which principle requires continuous verification of every user and device regardless of network location?

A.Assume breach

B.Never trust, always verify

C.Least privilege access

D.Microsegmentation

Explanation: The core principle of Zero Trust is "Never trust, always verify." Unlike traditional perimeter-based security that trusts devices inside the corporate network, Zero Trust assumes no implicit trust based on network location. Every access request is fully authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before granting access. While least privilege and microsegmentation are important Zero Trust components, "never trust, always verify" is the foundational principle requiring continuous verification.

3What is the primary difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms?

A.Symmetric encryption is faster but uses different keys for encryption and decryption

B.Asymmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption

C.Symmetric encryption uses the same key for encryption and decryption

D.Asymmetric encryption cannot be used for digital signatures

Explanation: Symmetric encryption uses a single shared key for both encryption and decryption, making it faster and more efficient for bulk data encryption (e.g., AES). Asymmetric encryption uses a key pair - a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption (e.g., RSA). Asymmetric encryption is computationally intensive but enables secure key exchange and digital signatures. The statement that symmetric uses different keys is incorrect - that describes asymmetric encryption.

4A security analyst is investigating an alert where an attacker gained access to a system by exploiting a vulnerability that was disclosed publicly but no patch was available yet. What type of attack is this?

A.Zero-day exploit

B.Known vulnerability attack

C.Advanced persistent threat (APT)

D.Insider threat

Explanation: A zero-day exploit targets a vulnerability that is publicly disclosed (or known to attackers) but for which no official patch or fix has been released by the vendor. The term "zero-day" refers to the fact that developers have had zero days to address the vulnerability. These attacks are particularly dangerous because traditional signature-based security controls may not detect them until a patch is released and signatures are updated.

5Which security framework provides a standardized approach for organizations to assess and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber attacks using threat intelligence?

A.ISO 27001

B.NIST Cybersecurity Framework

C.MITRE ATT&CK Framework

D.COBIT

Explanation: The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is a globally accessible knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations. It provides a common language for describing cyber threats and helps organizations understand the lifecycle of attacks. While NIST CSF provides high-level cybersecurity guidance and ISO 27001 focuses on information security management systems, MITRE ATT&CK specifically maps threat actor behaviors to defensive controls.

6In a PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) deployment, what is the role of a Certificate Authority (CA)?

A.To store private keys for all users in the organization

B.To issue, validate, and revoke digital certificates

C.To encrypt all data transmitted between network devices

D.To generate symmetric keys for VPN connections

Explanation: A Certificate Authority (CA) is a trusted entity that issues digital certificates, validates the identity of certificate holders, and maintains certificate revocation lists (CRLs) or provides Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) responses. The CA does not store private keys (which must remain confidential to their owners) or perform encryption of user data. The CA's primary function is to bind public keys to identities through digitally signed certificates.

7Which GDPR requirement mandates that organizations notify supervisory authorities within 72 hours of becoming aware of a personal data breach?

A.Right to be forgotten

B.Data portability requirement

C.Breach notification requirement

D.Privacy by design principle

Explanation: Article 33 of GDPR requires data controllers to notify the relevant supervisory authority of a personal data breach within 72 hours of becoming aware of it, unless the breach is unlikely to result in risk to individuals' rights and freedoms. The "right to be forgotten" (Article 17) allows individuals to request data deletion. Data portability (Article 20) lets individuals transfer data between controllers. Privacy by design (Article 25) requires data protection to be built into processing activities.

8What type of attack involves an attacker intercepting and potentially altering communications between two parties without their knowledge?

A.Denial of Service (DoS)

B.Man-in-the-middle (MitM)

C.SQL injection

D.Cross-site scripting (XSS)

Explanation: A man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack occurs when an attacker secretly intercepts and possibly modifies communications between two parties who believe they are communicating directly with each other. Common MitM techniques include ARP spoofing, DNS spoofing, and session hijacking. MitM attacks can be prevented using strong encryption (TLS/SSL), certificate pinning, and mutual authentication.

9Which hashing algorithm is currently recommended by NIST for most applications and produces a 256-bit digest?

A.MD5

B.SHA-1

C.SHA-256

D.HMAC-MD5

Explanation: SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family and produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash digest. It is currently recommended by NIST for most cryptographic applications. MD5 and SHA-1 are considered cryptographically broken and should not be used for security purposes - MD5 is vulnerable to collision attacks, and SHA-1 has been deprecated since 2011. HMAC-MD5 uses MD5 as its hash function and is also not recommended.

10In threat intelligence, what does the term "IOCs" (Indicators of Compromise) refer to?

A.Security policies that outline acceptable use

B.Forensic artifacts suggesting a potential breach or intrusion

C.Encryption keys used by threat actors

D.Network topology diagrams showing vulnerable segments

Explanation: Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) are forensic artifacts observed on networks or systems that suggest a potential security breach or intrusion has occurred. Examples include malicious IP addresses, file hashes of malware, suspicious domain names, registry keys, and specific network traffic patterns. Security teams use IOCs to detect and respond to threats, and to search for signs of compromise across their environment.

About the CCNP Security Exam

The CCNP Security certification validates advanced security skills in network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection, and secure network access. It requires deep understanding of Cisco security solutions including Firepower, ISE, VPN, and Zero Trust architecture. This core exam (SCOR 350-701) is required for all CCNP Security concentrations and CCIE Security certification.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

~70% (estimated)

Exam Fee

$400 (Cisco / Pearson VUE)

CCNP Security Exam Content Outline

20%

Security Concepts

Cryptography, PKI, TLS/SSL, threat intelligence, security models, compliance, and attack types

20%

Network Security

Firewalls, IPS/IDS, VPNs (IPsec, SSL), Cisco Firepower, FMC, FTD, and network segmentation

15%

Securing the Cloud

Cloud security concepts, CASB, cloud-native security, workload protection, and container security

15%

Content Security

Email security (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), web security, DLP, and malware protection

15%

Endpoint Protection

EPP, EDR, endpoint security, patch management, and anti-malware solutions

15%

Secure Network Access

ISE, NAC, 802.1X, Zero Trust, SD-Access, SD-WAN security, and network visibility

How to Pass the CCNP Security Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: ~70% (estimated)
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: $400

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CCNP Security Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Security Concepts (20%) — focus on cryptography, PKI, TLS/SSL versions and features, and threat intelligence sources

2Understand Cisco Firepower in depth — FMC policies, FTD deployment modes, IPS rules, and AMP integration

3Know ISE thoroughly — profiling, posture assessment, MAB, 802.1X, and pxGrid integration

4Study VPN technologies — IPsec IKEv1/v2 phases, SSL/TLS VPNs, GET VPN, and DMVPN

5Practice Zero Trust concepts — SD-Access, microsegmentation, SGTs, and SXP protocol

6Lab extensively with Cisco Modeling Labs or actual equipment — hands-on experience is essential

7Complete 500+ practice questions and score 85%+ consistently before scheduling your exam

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CCNP Security pass rate?

Cisco does not officially publish CCNP pass rates. Industry estimates suggest a 30-40% first-attempt pass rate for the SCOR 350-701 exam, reflecting its professional-level difficulty. The passing score is estimated at around 70% (Cisco does not publish exact scores). With proper preparation (300-400 study hours), most dedicated candidates pass. Hands-on experience with Cisco security products is essential.

How many questions are on the CCNP Security exam?

The SCOR 350-701 exam has 90-110 questions (the exact number varies by exam form). Question types include multiple-choice, multiple-answer, drag-and-drop, simulation, and testlet items. You have 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the exam. The passing score is estimated at around 70%, though Cisco does not publish exact passing scores.

What topics does the CCNP Security exam cover?

SCOR 350-701 covers six domains: Security Concepts (20%) including cryptography, PKI, TLS/SSL, and threat intelligence; Network Security (20%) covering firewalls, IPS/IDS, VPNs, and Cisco Firepower; Securing the Cloud (15%) including cloud security, CASB, and container security; Content Security (15%) covering email security, web security, and DLP; Endpoint Protection (15%) including EPP, EDR, and endpoint security; and Secure Network Access (15%) covering ISE, NAC, 802.1X, Zero Trust, and SD-Access.

How long should I study for CCNP Security?

Plan for 300-400 hours of study over 4-6 months. You should have CCNA-level knowledge before starting. Focus heavily on Security Concepts (20%) and Network Security (20%) — together they make up 40% of the exam. Get extensive hands-on practice with Cisco Firepower, ISE, and VPN technologies using Cisco Modeling Labs or actual equipment. Complete 500+ practice questions and score 85%+ consistently before scheduling.

What is the difference between CCNA Security and CCNP Security?

CCNA Security (now part of CCNA) covers foundational security concepts at an associate level. CCNP Security is professional-level, requiring deeper technical knowledge and practical skills with Cisco security solutions. CCNP covers advanced topics like Firepower, ISE, advanced VPNs, and Zero Trust architecture in much more depth. CCNP Security requires passing the core SCOR exam plus one concentration exam (like SNCF, SISE, or SVPN), while CCNA requires only one exam.

What jobs can I get with CCNP Security?

CCNP Security qualifies you for senior security roles including: Network Security Engineer ($95,000-140,000), Security Architect ($110,000-160,000+), Senior Security Analyst ($90,000-130,000), Firewall Administrator ($85,000-120,000), Identity and Access Management Engineer ($100,000-145,000), and Cloud Security Specialist ($105,000-150,000). CCNP Security is often required or strongly preferred for senior security positions and is a stepping stone to CCIE Security.