Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Practice Test

What is a key feature of the Cisco ASA Identity Firewall that affects network topology?

1. It supports multiple protocols for operation

2. It decouples security policies from the network topology

3. It requires manual updates to security rules

4. It integrates seamlessly with all existing hardware

The correct answer is: It decouples security policies from the network topology

The key feature of the Cisco ASA Identity Firewall that affects network topology is that it decouples security policies from the network topology. This means that security measures can be implemented independently of how the network is structured or configured. In traditional firewall implementations, network topology and security policies are often tightly intertwined, making changes in one area challenging without affecting the other. However, with the Identity Firewall, policy enforcement is based on user identity and context rather than on the specific network layout or device IP addresses. This decoupling allows for greater flexibility in managing security in a dynamic environment where users and devices may change frequently. Administrators can apply consistent policies across different segments of the network without needing to re-architect the network as user locations change or as new resources are added. Other options do not emphasize this crucial concept of independence between security policies and topology, which is a defining characteristic of the Cisco ASA Identity Firewall’s functionality.