Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower or simply the Cisco 300-710 SNCF is a test that’s directly linked to the CCNP Security and Cisco Certified Specialist - Network Security Firepower certifications. This exam is exclusively built around Cisco Firepower 7000 and 8000 Series virtual appliances such as integrations, policy configurations, deployments, and management together with troubleshooting.

About CCNP Security Certification

The CCNP Security designation is a professional-level program that confirms your prowess in managing security solutions. To qualify for it, students must pass one of the concentration exams such as the aforementioned 300-710 in addition to the core test, the Cisco 350-701: Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR). Also, don’t forget to check out the full list of concentration exams before enrolling in this training. Apart from 300-710, they include the following: 300-715, 300-720, 300-725, 300-730, and 300-735. Just a quick reminder that the Cisco Certified Specialist - Network Security Firepower is a specialist title that comes by passing the only 300-710 evaluation.

Discussing Cisco 300-710 Exam Content Outline

Before you register for the official 300-710 test, it would be great to ensure you are familiar with all the tested objectives. These are as follows:

1. Deployment (30%)

Deployment in the Cisco 300-710 exam covers the implementation of NGFW models, NGIPS modes, and options for high availability. Also covered is the description of IRB configurations. For that reason, students should ensure they are familiar with all the relevant technologies before attempting this test. These include routed and transparent modes, inline, passive, link redundancy, and multi-instance.

2. Configuration (30%)

On the other hand, the topic of configuration will cover 5 essential objectives. These include the configuration of system settings for the Firepower Management Center by Cisco, the transformation of objects with the Firepower Management Center, and the setting up of a wide range of policies within the Firepower Management Center by Cisco. These, in particular, will range from access control to intrusion, DNS, malware, SSL, and prefilter. What’s more, this section will also feature questions that are extracted from the tasks of configuring devices with the Firepower Management Center and installing several features via the Firepower Management Center by Cisco. These include network discovery, correlation, actions, and application detectors. The devices, on the other hand, include NAT, VPN, certificates, QoS, and platform settings.

3. Managing & Troubleshooting (25%)

Here, most of the questions will be extracted from 4 major tasks including solving issues by using GUI and FMC CLI, dashboard configuring and responding in FMC, resolving breaches with the procedures for packet capture, and risk analysis together with standard reports.

4. Integration (15%)

Finally, this section will measure the knowledge of configuring AMP for Networks in Firepower Management Center, installing AMP for endpoints in Firepower Management Center, and executing the director for threat intelligence necessary for feeds in third-party intelligence for security. Also, such a domain tests the knowledge of describing the use of Threat Response by Cisco for investigating security, describing the integration of Cisco FMC PxGrid using Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), and describing rapid threat containment (RTC) functions in Firepower Management Center.

Your Job Prospects

In general, the Cisco 300-710 exam is associated with the following jobs:

• Information Security Engineer

  Information security engineers are majorly involved in the careful planning and execution of an organization’s information security strategy. More so, they participate in the development of a complete set of security best practices and standards for their organizations, the development of strategies to detect & respond to security breaches, and the recommendation of security improvements as needed. Also, these individuals educate the general IT staff on the value of information security using comprehensive training and public awareness. Ideally, any individual in this position should be accustomed to installing and using software such as data encryption tools and firewalls to ensure the security of sensitive data as well as information. According to PayScale.com, information security engineers make an average salary of $95,201 per year.

• Information Security Analyst

  Overall, information security analysts are involved in software installation such as firewalls to ensure the security of computer networks. Besides, they are responsible for planning and performing security measures to protect a company’s computer systems together with networks. And with the recent surge in digital attacks, they should also complete a lot more than just monitoring networks for digital attacks. Thus, they will be expected to prepare comprehensive reports on security breaches, perform penetration testing, research the latest security trends, and recommend security improvements to the organization’s management staff. On that note, these specialists will be paid an average income of $73,031 per annum according to PayScale.com.

• Security Analyst

  In all, security analysts are tasked with monitoring, preventing, and stopping security attacks on private data. Plus, they are responsible for creating and implementing firewalls for the protection of network infrastructures and data. With the rapidly expanding IT landscape, security analysts are distinguished by the key roles of identifying weaknesses in computer systems and networks, responding to these issues, and preventing imminent attacks. What is more, their day-to-day role involves the use of different software and programs to ensure the encryption as well as protection of data, and strengthening of digital data. Depending on the size of the organization, a day in the life of a security analyst can be hectic, starting with basic network monitoring to software management, reporting, development of effective security plans, and researching new trends. According to PayScale.com, a typical security analyst with diverse security skills earns an average salary of $69,348 per year.

Certification Path

After completing the CCNP Security designation, you should aim for the CCIE Security, which is an advanced confirmation of your skills in security technologies. Ideally, you should pass the Cisco 350-701: Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR) exam together with the CCIE Security v6.0 lab test to qualify for this certificate.