What is Cisco 350-701 SCOR and what certification do you get from it?

Cisco 350-701 is the core exam for CCNP Security and also the qualifying core exam for Cisco Certified Specialist - Security Core. Passing it alone gives you the specialist certification. Passing 350-701 plus one CCNP Security concentration exam earns the full CCNP Security certification. It is also one of the exams that can count toward Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Security eligibility, because Cisco uses core exams as part of the written qualification path for expert-level tracks. In practice, 350-701 validates broad security skills across network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection, secure access, visibility, and automation on Cisco platforms.

Who should take the Cisco 350-701 exam?

You should take 350-701 if you work with Cisco security technologies and want a serious mid-level security certification. It fits network security engineers, SOC-adjacent engineers, firewall administrators, security operations staff, and consultants who touch Cisco Secure Firewall, ISE, Umbrella, Secure Email, Secure Web, endpoint security, VPNs, and automation. It is not ideal for someone completely new to networking or security. The exam assumes you already understand IP networking, basic security concepts, authentication methods, and how enterprise environments are built. If your job is vendor-neutral governance or policy work, a cert like CISSP may align better; if you build and operate Cisco security stacks, 350-701 is more directly useful.

How much does Cisco 350-701 cost?

Cisco 350-701 typically costs $400 USD, not including local taxes or regional pricing differences. That is the standard list price for many Cisco professional-level core exams, but you should still confirm in your country because VAT, currency conversion, and test-center fees can change the final amount. Budget beyond the exam fee as well. Most candidates also spend on Cisco Press books, Cisco U. or official training, labs, and practice questions. If your employer uses Cisco products, ask whether they reimburse certification costs, because 350-701 is often considered job-relevant enough to get training approval.

What is the format of the Cisco 350-701 exam?

Cisco 350-701 is a 120-minute exam with a variable number of questions, commonly around 90 to 110. Cisco uses mixed item types, not just standard multiple choice. You can see multiple choice, drag-and-drop, scenario-based questions, and items built around exhibits, CLI output, logs, or policy screens. Cisco does not publish every scoring detail, and the exact question count can vary by delivery. The exam is proctored and typically delivered through Pearson VUE, either at a test center or online where available. Expect broad coverage rather than deep product-only memorization; many questions test whether you can interpret a configuration, security workflow, or policy outcome.

What is the passing score for Cisco 350-701?

Cisco does not publicly guarantee a fixed passing score for 350-701, and the score can vary by exam form. Many candidates report seeing passing marks presented on a 300 to 1000 scale, with the passing threshold often shown around the high-700 range, but you should not rely on unofficial numbers. The important part is that Cisco scores by domain weighting and item difficulty, and some questions may be unscored beta items. Study to master the blueprint, not to target a rumored cutoff. If you are consistently strong across network security, secure access, cloud/content security, endpoint, visibility, and automation, you are in a much better position than someone chasing a supposed magic score.

How hard is Cisco 350-701?

Cisco 350-701 is hard for most people because it is broad, product-specific, and expects real operational understanding. It is harder than entry-level security exams because it goes beyond definitions and asks how Cisco security technologies actually behave in enterprise environments. The toughest part for many candidates is the range: you need to know firewalls, ISE, VPNs, Duo and identity concepts, Umbrella and cloud security, email/web security, endpoint and malware controls, plus APIs and automation basics. If you only know one product well, the exam feels rough. Candidates with hands-on Cisco security experience usually find it manageable; candidates studying from theory alone often struggle with scenario questions.

How long should I study for Cisco 350-701?

Most candidates need 8 to 16 weeks of focused study, depending on experience. If you already administer Cisco security tools daily, 6 to 8 weeks may be enough to close blueprint gaps. If you are coming from general networking or non-Cisco security, plan closer to 3 to 4 months. A realistic pace is 1 to 2 hours on weekdays and longer lab sessions on weekends. The exam rewards repetition: read the blueprint, map each topic to a product or feature, and lab anything you cannot explain from memory. Because 350-701 spans multiple security domains, study time usually goes up not because any one topic is impossible, but because there are many moving parts to review.

Do you need real Cisco lab experience to pass 350-701?

Yes, hands-on experience helps a lot, even though 350-701 is not a lab exam. Cisco can ask scenario and configuration questions that are much easier if you have actually worked with Secure Firewall, ISE, VPN deployment, SecureX workflows, Umbrella policies, or endpoint tooling. You do not need a full production environment, but you should at least practice with demos, virtual labs, sandbox environments, product documentation, and configuration walkthroughs. Reading alone is usually not enough for topics like policy matching, authentication flows, event visibility, and automation. If you cannot lab every platform, focus on understanding interfaces, deployment models, logs, and feature interactions rather than memorizing isolated facts.

Are there any prerequisites for Cisco 350-701 or CCNP Security?

There are no formal prerequisites to sit the 350-701 exam. Cisco does not require another certification first. That said, the recommended level is not beginner. You should already be comfortable with enterprise networking fundamentals, TCP/IP, routing and switching basics, AAA concepts, VPN fundamentals, and general security operations. For the broader CCNP Security path, you earn the certification by passing 350-701 plus one concentration exam; there is still no mandatory prior cert. In real terms, candidates with about 3 to 5 years of networking or security experience tend to be better positioned, especially if at least part of that experience includes Cisco security products.

What topics are covered on the Cisco 350-701 blueprint?

The exam covers security concepts plus Cisco security technologies across multiple domains. Major areas include network security, cloud security, content security, endpoint protection and detection, secure network access and visibility, and automation. In practice, that means you should expect topics tied to Secure Firewall and policy behavior, ISE and access control, VPN technologies, MFA and identity integration, Umbrella and DNS-layer protection, email/web security controls, endpoint malware and telemetry concepts, and API or automation basics such as JSON, REST APIs, and secure automation workflows. The blueprint is broad by design because 350-701 is the core exam for CCNP Security, so Cisco wants proof that you understand the full security architecture, not one narrow product.

What are the hardest topics on Cisco 350-701?

For most candidates, the hardest topics are ISE/AAA flows, VPN and secure access design, content security products, and automation. ISE is difficult because you need to understand policy sets, authentication versus authorization, profiling, posture, 802.1X, TACACS+, and RADIUS behavior. VPN questions can get tricky when Cisco mixes SSL VPN, site-to-site, remote access, and identity or policy details. Content security is hard for people who have never used Cisco email or web security platforms in production. Automation is not deeply developer-heavy, but many network security engineers underprepare for APIs, JSON, and integration concepts. The common pattern is that the hardest sections are the ones candidates do not touch in their day job.

What are the best study resources for Cisco 350-701?

The best resources are the official exam blueprint, Cisco Press materials, Cisco U. training, product documentation, and realistic practice questions. Start with the blueprint and turn every bullet into a checklist. Cisco Press books and official training help with structure, but Cisco documentation is where feature behavior becomes clear. Product guides for ISE, Secure Firewall, Umbrella, Secure Endpoint, and SecureX are especially useful. Add labs or sandboxes wherever possible. Practice questions are valuable only if they explain why an answer is right and wrong, because this exam tests interpretation, not just recall. Since Truekia lists 653 practice questions for this certification, use them as a review tool after you have built domain knowledge, not as your only preparation method.

Is Cisco 350-701 worth it in 2026?

Yes, 350-701 is worth it if you work in Cisco-heavy security environments. It has solid value because it is the core exam for CCNP Security and maps directly to real enterprise tools. Employers using Cisco firewalls, ISE, Umbrella, Duo, Secure Endpoint, and related products recognize it as practical, not just theoretical. It is less valuable if your environment is mostly Palo Alto, Fortinet, Check Point, or fully cloud-native with little Cisco presence. The ROI is strongest for network security engineers, consultants, and administrators who want promotion into broader security architecture or operations roles. On its own, the specialist badge is useful; paired with a concentration exam for full CCNP Security, it becomes significantly stronger on a resume.

Cisco 350-701 vs CISSP: which one should I choose?

Choose 350-701 if you want hands-on, Cisco-specific technical credibility; choose CISSP if you want broad, vendor-neutral senior security recognition. 350-701 is better for engineers who deploy and operate security tools. CISSP is better for architecture, governance, leadership, consulting, and roles where policy, risk, and broad security management matter more than product implementation. 350-701 is narrower but more practical for day-to-day Cisco operations. CISSP is broader and usually carries more HR recognition across industries. Many professionals eventually do both, but if you are deciding which first, use your target role: build-and-run Cisco security stack means 350-701; management-track or vendor-neutral credibility means CISSP.

Cisco 350-701 vs CompTIA Security+: is 350-701 better?

350-701 is more advanced and more specialized than Security+, but it is not automatically better for everyone. Security+ is an entry-level, vendor-neutral certification that proves baseline security knowledge. 350-701 assumes a much stronger foundation and focuses on operating Cisco security technologies in enterprise environments. If you are new to cybersecurity, Security+ is often the smarter first step. If you already work in networking or security and your environment uses Cisco, 350-701 has more direct job value. Hiring managers usually see Security+ as foundational and 350-701 as role-specific technical proof. Better depends on where you are: beginners usually benefit more from Security+, while Cisco security engineers benefit more from 350-701.

Cisco 350-701 vs Palo Alto PCNSE: which is better for network security jobs?

Neither is universally better; 350-701 is better for Cisco-centric environments, while PCNSE is better for Palo Alto firewall-focused roles. The biggest difference is scope. PCNSE is narrower and more focused on Palo Alto Networks firewall and related platform operations. 350-701 is broader across Cisco security architecture, including firewalls, ISE, cloud security, endpoint, content security, visibility, and automation. If a job description emphasizes Palo Alto firewalls, Panorama, and App-ID policy work, PCNSE is usually the stronger match. If the employer runs a wider Cisco security stack or wants CCNP Security progression, 350-701 makes more sense. Read job postings in your market; the platform used by employers should drive the decision.

How long is Cisco 350-701 valid and how do you renew it?

Cisco 350-701-based certifications are typically valid for three years. You can renew by passing another qualifying Cisco exam at the appropriate level or by earning enough Continuing Education (CE) credits through Cisco's recertification program. For people who earn CCNP Security through 350-701 plus a concentration exam, the CCNP certification also follows the three-year renewal cycle. The exact renewal options can change as Cisco updates policy, so always verify your certification status in Cisco's certification tracking system. If you expect to stay in Cisco security long-term, CE credits can be the easier route because they let you renew without sitting another high-pressure exam.

What should I do after passing Cisco 350-701?

After passing 350-701, the best next step is to pick a CCNP Security concentration exam that matches your job. If you work with firewalls, choose the Secure Firewall concentration. If you work with identity and access, choose an ISE-focused path. If your role leans toward VPNs, web/email, or automation, choose accordingly. Passing only 350-701 already gives you the Cisco Certified Specialist - Security Core credential, so add it to your resume and LinkedIn immediately. Also update your employer profile if your company tracks partner or certification status. Then use the momentum to deepen one domain rather than letting the core exam become a standalone checkbox.