What is the CCNP Security SCOR exam?
The CCNP Security SCOR (350-701) is the core exam for the CCNP Security certification and one path to the CCIE Security written requirement. It covers network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection, and secure network access across six domains. The exam costs $400 USD and most candidates need 4-6 months of preparation with hands-on lab experience.
The Cisco CCNP Security 350-701 SCOR (Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies) exam is the core requirement for the CCNP Security certification. It covers the broadest range of security topics in Cisco's certification portfolio, from network threat defense and VPNs to cloud security, endpoint protection, and secure network access.
Security-focused network engineers with CCNP Security earn among the highest salaries in networking, with compensation ranging from $110,000 to $155,000 in the United States. The CCNP Security credential is recognized by enterprises and government organizations as a marker of advanced security competency. The exam costs $400 USD.
Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | 350-701 SCOR |
| Full Name | Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies |
| Number of Questions | 90-110 |
| Time Limit | 120 minutes |
| Passing Score | ~825/1000 |
| Cost | $400 USD |
| Certification | CCNP Security (with one concentration exam) |
| Validity | 3 years |
The exam covers six domains:
- Security concepts (25%)
- Network security (20%)
- Securing the cloud (15%)
- Content security (10%)
- Endpoint protection and detection (15%)
- Secure network access, visibility, and enforcement (15%)
"SCOR rewards candidates who understand security architecture, not just individual product features. You need to understand how ASA, FTD, ISE, Umbrella, Stealthwatch, and AMP work together as a coherent security architecture. Candidates who study products in isolation often fail scenario questions that require understanding the interaction between products." -- Cisco security certification community
Domain 1: Security Concepts (25%)
Threat Landscape and Attack Types
Common attack categories tested on SCOR:
- Reconnaissance: Information gathering before attacks (DNS enumeration, port scanning, OSINT)
- Exploitation: Leveraging vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access (buffer overflow, SQL injection, cross-site scripting)
- Denial of Service: Overwhelming resources to prevent legitimate access (volumetric, protocol, application-layer)
- Malware: Viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and rootkits
- Social engineering: Phishing, spear phishing, vishing, smishing
Cryptography Fundamentals
| Concept | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Symmetric encryption | Same key for encryption and decryption | AES-256, 3DES |
| Asymmetric encryption | Public key encrypts, private key decrypts | RSA, ECC |
| Hashing | One-way function producing fixed-length digest | SHA-256, SHA-384 |
| Digital signatures | Hash encrypted with private key for authentication | RSA signatures, ECDSA |
| PKI | Infrastructure managing certificates and CAs | X.509 certificates, CRLs, OCSP |
Zero Trust Security Model
The exam tests Cisco's implementation of Zero Trust across three planes:
- Workforce: Verifying users and devices before granting access (Duo Security, ISE)
- Workload: Protecting applications regardless of where they run (Tetration, application segmentation)
- Workplace: Securing network access and infrastructure (SD-Access, TrustSec)
Domain 2: Network Security (20%)
Cisco Firewall Technologies
Cisco ASA (Adaptive Security Appliance) is the legacy stateful firewall platform:
- Security zones and interface security levels
- NAT/PAT configuration (static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT/overload)
- Access control lists (ACL) for traffic filtering
- ASA in transparent mode (Layer 2 firewall) vs. routed mode
Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) is the next-generation firewall platform:
- Application awareness and control (beyond port-based filtering)
- Intrusion Prevention System (IPS/NGIPS) with Snort engine
- Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) integration for file inspection
- URL filtering and DNS-based security
- SSL/TLS decryption for encrypted traffic inspection
VPN Technologies
Site-to-site VPN using IPsec:
- IKEv1 (Phase 1 + Phase 2) and IKEv2 key exchange
- Transform sets, crypto maps, and tunnel groups
- DMVPN (Dynamic Multipoint VPN): Hub-and-spoke VPN allowing spoke-to-spoke tunnels without traversing the hub
Remote access VPN:
- AnyConnect SSL VPN: Cisco's client-based VPN for remote users
- Clientless SSL VPN: Browser-based VPN for basic access without client installation
- Split tunneling vs. full tunneling for traffic routing decisions
Domain 3: Securing the Cloud (15%)
Cloud Security Shared Responsibility
Security responsibilities shift based on service model:
- In IaaS: Customer secures OS, applications, data, and network configuration
- In PaaS: Customer secures applications and data; provider secures OS and infrastructure
- In SaaS: Provider secures nearly everything; customer manages data and user access
Cisco Umbrella (Cloud Security)
Cisco Umbrella provides DNS-layer security and secure web gateway capabilities:
- DNS-layer security: Blocking malicious domains at the DNS resolution level before connection is established
- Secure web gateway: Proxy-based inspection of web traffic with URL filtering and SSL decryption
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Visibility and control over cloud application usage
- Remote Browser Isolation: Rendering web content remotely to protect endpoints
Domain 4: Content Security (10%)
Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA)
Cisco Secure Email (ESA) protects against email-based threats:
- Anti-spam: SenderBase reputation filtering, Ironport Anti-Spam engine
- Anti-malware: AMP integration for email attachment scanning
- Anti-phishing: Domain-based Message Authentication (DMARC, DKIM, SPF) enforcement
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Preventing sensitive data exfiltration via email
- Email encryption: TLS-based encryption for email in transit
Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA)
Cisco Secure Web Appliance (WSA) proxies web traffic for inspection:
- URL filtering with Cisco's threat intelligence database
- Application visibility and control
- SSL/TLS decryption and inspection
- Malware scanning of downloaded files
Domain 5: Endpoint Protection and Detection (15%)
Cisco AMP (Secure Endpoint)
Cisco Secure Endpoint (formerly AMP for Endpoints) provides:
- Continuous monitoring: Recording all file activity, allowing retrospective analysis when new threat intelligence emerges
- Endpoint detection and response (EDR): Detecting and investigating endpoint threats
- Threat hunting: Searching for indicators of compromise across the endpoint fleet
- Device trajectory: Timeline view of all files executed and network connections made on an endpoint
Cisco ISE and Endpoint Compliance
Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine) assesses endpoint security posture:
- Posture assessment: Checking that endpoints have required antivirus, patches, and firewall configurations before granting full network access
- Quarantine: Isolating non-compliant endpoints to a remediation network segment
- Profiling: Automatically identifying device types for appropriate policy application
Domain 6: Secure Network Access, Visibility, and Enforcement (15%)
Network Access Control with ISE
802.1X authentication through ISE provides:
- User and device authentication before network access
- Dynamic VLAN assignment based on identity
- Security Group Tag (SGT) assignment for TrustSec microsegmentation
- Guest access workflows with sponsor approval
Cisco Stealthwatch (Secure Network Analytics)
Cisco Secure Network Analytics (Stealthwatch) provides network visibility and threat detection:
- Flow analysis using NetFlow data from network devices
- Behavioral analytics to detect anomalies (port scanning, data exfiltration, C2 communication)
- Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA): Detecting malware in encrypted flows without decrypting traffic
- Integration with ISE for automated threat response
"Stealthwatch/Secure Network Analytics and its Encrypted Traffic Analytics capability is tested more heavily than most candidates expect. Understanding how behavioral analysis detects threats in encrypted traffic flows -- without decryption -- is a specific concept that appears regularly in SCOR scenario questions." -- Cisco security training community
Frequently Asked Questions
What concentration exams are available with SCOR for CCNP Security? After passing SCOR, you choose one concentration exam to complete CCNP Security: SVPN (Implementing Secure Solutions with Virtual Private Networks), SNCF (Securing Cisco Networks with Sourcefire), SISE (Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine), SESA (Implementing Cisco Email Network Security), SWSA (Implementing Cisco Secure Web Appliance), or SSFIPS (Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower NGIPS).
Is practical lab experience required to pass SCOR? While you can pass SCOR without extensive hands-on experience, lab practice significantly improves scenario question performance. Cisco DevNet provides free sandbox environments for practicing with ISE, FTD, and other Cisco security products. Setting up a home lab with CML (Cisco Modeling Labs) allows practicing complex security configurations and troubleshooting.
How does SCOR compare to the Security+ in difficulty? SCOR is substantially harder than CompTIA Security+. Security+ covers general security concepts broadly at an associate level. SCOR tests advanced implementation knowledge of specific Cisco security products and architectures at a professional level. SCOR typically requires 2-3 times more preparation time than Security+, and the questions are more scenario-based and technically specific.
References
- Cisco. (2025). CCNP Security Certification. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/certifications/professional/ccnp-security.html
- Cisco. (2025). Firepower Threat Defense Documentation. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/security/firepower-ngfw/series.html
- Cisco. (2025). Cisco Umbrella Documentation. https://docs.umbrella.com/
- Santos, O. (2023). CCNP and CCIE Security Core SCOR 350-701 Official Cert Guide. Cisco Press.
- Cisco. (2025). Cisco Secure Network Analytics. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/stealthwatch/
- MITRE ATT&CK. (2025). Enterprise Attack Matrix. https://attack.mitre.org/