What is Cisco 350-701?

The Cisco 350-701 exam, also called SCOR (Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies), is the core security certification exam for Cisco’s CCNP Security track. It tests your knowledge and skills in securing networks, cloud, endpoints, and content, as well as enforcing secure network access, visibility, and threat detection. Passing this exam validates your ability to design, implement, and troubleshoot advanced security solutions across Cisco platforms.

This exam also serves as the qualifying exam for the CCIE Security lab, making it a critical milestone for professionals pursuing advanced Cisco credentials.

Who Should Take This Exam?

The Cisco 350-701 is designed for IT professionals who are responsible for securing enterprise networks and managing advanced Cisco security solutions. Typical candidates include:

• Network Security Engineers who secure enterprise architectures.

• Security Administrators managing Cisco firewalls, VPNs, and IDS/IPS.
  
• Network Engineers transitioning into security-focused roles.
  
• Cybersecurity Analysts handling threat detection and mitigation.
  
• IT Managers and Consultants designing and implementing security solutions.
  

Experience level: This exam is best suited for professionals with at least 3–5 years of networking and security experience, especially in Cisco environments.

Prerequisites and Recommendations

Official prerequisites: Cisco does not enforce formal prerequisites for the 350-701 exam.

Practical recommendations:

• 3+ years of hands-on experience with Cisco networking and security technologies.
  
• Familiarity with routing, switching, and IP services.
  
• Prior certifications like CCNA or equivalent knowledge.
  
• Experience with Cisco ASA, Firepower, ISE, VPNs, and security protocols.
  
• A strong grasp of basic security concepts, cryptography, and identity management.

Exam Objectives and Domains

The 350-701 SCOR exam covers six major domains:

1. Security Concepts – 25%
   
2. Network Security – 20%
   
3. Securing the Cloud – 15%
   
4. Content Security – 15%
   
5. Endpoint Protection and Detection – 10%
   
6. Secure Network Access, Visibility, and Enforcement – 15%

Objective Details by Domain

Security Concepts

• CIA triad and security principles
  
• Cryptography (symmetric, asymmetric, hashing, PKI)
  
• VPN concepts and tunneling protocols
  
• Threat intelligence and common attack types
  

Network Security

• Firewalls (Cisco ASA, Firepower)
  
• Intrusion prevention and detection systems (IPS/IDS)
  
• Network segmentation and secure design
  
• Site-to-site and remote-access VPNs
  
• High availability and redundancy in security appliances
  

Securing the Cloud

• Cloud security models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
  
• Cisco Cloud security solutions (Umbrella, CASB)
  
• Secure connectivity to public cloud environments
  
• Policy enforcement and workload security
  

Content Security

• Email security (anti-spam, anti-malware)
  
• Web security and filtering
  
• Cisco Secure Web Appliance and Email Security Appliance
  
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
  

Endpoint Protection and Detection

• Endpoint security technologies and antivirus
  
• Cisco AMP for Endpoints
  
• Behavior-based threat detection
  
• Incident response and forensics
  

Secure Network Access, Visibility, and Enforcement

• Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for authentication and authorization
  
• 802.1X, EAP methods, and NAC policies
  
• TrustSec and Software-Defined Access (SDA) security
  
• Secure monitoring with Cisco Stealthwatch and NetFlow

What Changed in This Version?

Compared to earlier Cisco security core exams:

• New topics added: Cloud security, Zero Trust, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), and Cisco Umbrella.
  
• Removed topics: Legacy VPN technologies and outdated firewall features.
  
• Weight shifts: More emphasis on cloud security and endpoint protection, less on traditional ASA firewall-only features

Registration and Scheduling

• Register via the Pearson VUE portal.
  
• Exam Code: 350-701 SCOR
  
• Delivery: Online proctored or at test centers.
  
• Duration: 120 minutes
  
• Question types: Multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, simulation, and testlets.

Pricing and Vouchers

• Standard cost: $400 USD (varies by region).
  
• Regional pricing: Adjusted for local economies; often slightly lower in LATAM, Asia, and Africa.
  
• Discounts: Available for students, military personnel, and Cisco Networking Academy learners.
  
• Vouchers: Cisco Learning Credits or corporate agreements can be used.

Policies You Should Know

• ID requirements: Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued).
  
• Reschedule policy: At least 24 hours before the exam.
  
• Retake policy: 5-day waiting period after a failed attempt.
  
• No personal items: Calculators, phones, watches are not allowed.

Scoring and Results

• Score scale: 300 to 1000.
  
• Passing score: Around 825 (Cisco does not officially publish exact cut-off).
  
• Partial credit: Available for multi-response questions.
  
• Results: Delivered immediately on-screen and emailed.
  
• Score report: Breaks down performance by domain.

Exam Day and Test Experience

On-site proctoring: Arrive early, check in with ID, fingerprint or photo may be taken.
Online proctoring: System check required, webcam and microphone monitoring, clean desk policy.
Interface: Questions displayed one at a time; ability to mark for review.
Allowed items: None – Cisco provides all needed tools.
Time management: About 1.5 minutes per question; practice simulations early to save time.

Study Plan and Resources

For Beginners (12 weeks plan):

• Weeks 1–2: Learn fundamentals of networking and security concepts.
  
• Weeks 3–4: Study Cisco firewall, VPN, and IPS basics.
  
• Weeks 5–6: Focus on cloud and content security.
  
• Weeks 7–8: Work on endpoint security and ISE access control.
  
• Weeks 9–10: Practice hands-on labs (Cisco Packet Tracer, GNS3, Firepower labs).
  
• Weeks 11–12: Take practice exams, identify weak areas, review.
  

For Experienced Candidates (6 weeks plan):

• Weeks 1–2: Revise core security concepts and Cisco platforms you already use.
  
• Weeks 3–4: Focus on new topics (cloud, Zero Trust, SASE, AMP).
  
• Weeks 5–6: Do timed practice exams and reinforce weaker sections.
  

Recommended resources: Cisco Press SCOR Official Cert Guide, Cisco Modeling Labs, Cisco Learning Network, Boson practice exams, and lab practice on Firepower/ISE/Umbrella.

Certification Validity and Renewal

• Validity: 3 years
  
• Renewal options:
  
  • Earn 120 Continuing Education (CE) credits.
    
  • Pass the same or higher-level exam.
    
  • Complete Cisco training courses that offer CE credits.

Career Outcomes

The Cisco 350-701 certification is highly valued in cybersecurity and networking roles. Below is a table of job roles and salary expectations (approximate global averages):

Related or Next-Step Certifications

• CCNP Security Specialist Concentrations (choose 1 after SCOR):
  
  • 300-710 SNCF (Firepower)
    
  • 300-715 SISE (ISE)
    
  • 300-720 SESA (Email Security)
    
  • 300-725 SWSA (Web Security)
    
  • 300-730 SVPN (VPN solutions)
    
• CCIE Security: After passing SCOR, you can attempt the CCIE Security lab.
  
• Adjacent certifications: Cisco CyberOps Professional, CISSP, CompTIA Security+ for broader security knowledge

How This Exam Compares to Similar Certifications

• Cisco 350-701 vs. CompTIA Security+: Security+ is entry-level, vendor-neutral, while 350-701 is advanced, Cisco-specific.
  
• Cisco 350-701 vs. CISSP: CISSP is management-level and broader, while 350-701 is technical and implementation-focused.