About 300-740 Exam
Growing relevance of secure access certs in 2025
Professionals working with cloud networks and endpoint access are facing tighter compliance and control demands than ever before. The Cisco 300-740 exam taps directly into this challenge by focusing on how to design and implement secure connectivity models using Cisco technologies. In 2025, as cloud-first strategies go mainstream, this exam has become a key cert for professionals dealing with policy enforcement, VPN control, and access security. The credential sits within the CCNP Security path and validates a candidate’s real-world readiness in building secure access solutions.
Cisco continues to back its exams with updated content that reflects industry movement. That’s part of why the 300-740 holds real appeal across roles like security engineers, cloud access analysts, and infrastructure architects. For people looking to solidify their command of cloud access protocols, this cert isn’t just recommended it’s becoming standard.
This cert fits well into practical security roles
People who work on secure access or identity and endpoint security design are typically drawn to the 300-740. It’s a solid fit for those already handling VPNs, firewall configuration, policy-based routing, or zero trust deployments. Many mid-level professionals use this exam to transition from a general networking path to a security-focused career. That shift often results in better positioning for leadership roles in access control or cloud-first enterprises.
The cert also works well for those holding a base-level security cert and want to go deeper into Cisco’s Secure Access portfolio.
Job titles aligned with this Cisco certification
Most commonly, this cert leads to roles such as:
- Cloud Security Specialist
- Access Policy Engineer
- Network Security Consultant
- Endpoint Security Architect
- VPN Infrastructure Lead
Companies building remote-first architectures often look for these skills when hiring or promoting. The 300-740 salary range typically runs from $95,000 to $120,000 USD depending on experience, region, and whether other certs like CCNP or CCIE are held alongside it.
Core skills tested in the 300-740 track
The 300-740 helps build and verify expertise in managing cloud access with Cisco identity services, VPN topologies, adaptive access control, and segmentation strategies. People coming into this exam usually walk away with stronger control over:
- Cisco ISE and endpoint authentication
- TrustSec configuration and management
- Policy-based access across cloud and on-premise
- Directing secure traffic through Cisco AnyConnect
- Remote access protection for hybrid models
It’s less about memorizing facts and more about understanding Cisco’s methods of enforcing access securely.
Key details on the exam format and scoring
The 300-740 test is structured like most pro-level Cisco exams. It lasts 90 minutes and includes a variety of scenario-based questions, drag-and-drop interactions, and traditional multiple-choice formats. The total number of questions can vary slightly depending on the version, but the exam is taken in a proctored environment, either online or at an authorized test center.
There’s no published pass mark, as Cisco uses scaled scoring based on difficulty. But it’s generally accepted that a good grasp of at least 75–80% of the content is needed to succeed.
Areas the exam focuses on most heavily
The 300-740 syllabus covers five main domains, each with its own weighted focus. Here’s how they break down:
Domain |
Focus Area |
Secure Access Architecture |
Network segmentation, TrustSec, VPN types |
Policy Enforcement |
Device posture checks, adaptive policies |
Endpoint Control |
Device authentication, ISE configuration |
Identity Services |
ISE deployment, guest access, 802.1X |
Cloud Access and Security Integration |
Secure cloud services, Zero Trust control |
These aren’t memorization sections they demand practical understanding of how to apply concepts using Cisco gear.
The difficulty comes from its real-world alignment
What makes this exam tricky is how much real configuration knowledge it expects. You’re not just identifying terms; you’re expected to understand things like TrustSec tag implementation, VPN setup, and policy-based routing using ISE. People without hands-on lab or work experience often find this exam more intense than they expect.
That’s why Cisco recommends only attempting it after gaining decent experience in Cisco Secure technologies or passing related exams like 300-730 or 300-735.
Smart ways to prepare for this challenge
Passing on your first attempt is possible if you work smart. A few high-value prep tips include:
- Review Cisco’s official course SCAZT (Secure Cloud Access for Users and Endpoints)
- Practice configuring VPNs and policies in Cisco lab environments
- Read Cisco’s whitepapers and documentation on ISE and TrustSec
- Use 300-740 Practice Questions to spot your weak areas
- Test with Real Questions rather than just theory-based practice
If you’re already working in a cloud security or access policy team, you’ll likely find some material familiar but gaps in identity service knowledge can still trip you up.
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