Cisco 300-715 | Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine (SISE) Certification Exam Guide & Practice Questions
The Cisco 300-715 examination, officially titled Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine (SISE), is Cisco’s concentration credential validating security engineers, network administrators, and identity architects. This assessment verifies an engineer’s capability to deploy, configure, and troubleshoot Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) across wired, wireless, and VPN infrastructures. Technical competencies include authentication and authorization policies, Zero Trust network access, 802.1X deployment phasing, endpoint profiling, posture compliance, BYOD onboarding, and Cisco TrustSec micro-segmentation.
Enforcing identity-based access control requires operational fluency with RADIUS/TACACS+ protocols, external identity store integration (Active Directory, LDAP, SAML IdP), and dynamic Change of Authorization (CoA). Working through verified 300-715 certification exam questions and realistic scenario testlets allows candidates to test their policy logic and diagnostic skills under actual exam conditions. Whether evaluating baseline network access rules with targeted Cisco 300-715 practice questions or practicing with full-length scenarios to earn the Cisco Certified Specialist – Security Identity Management Implementation credential, this guide breaks down the official v1.1 syllabus, domain weights, and core architectural concepts.
Exam Information
Attribute | Details |
Exam Vendor | Cisco Systems, Inc. |
Certification Name | CCNP Security & Cisco Certified Specialist – Security Identity Management Implementation |
Exam Name | Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine (SISE) |
Exam Code | 300-715 SISE |
Certification Level | Professional / Concentration |
Exam Category | Cybersecurity / Identity Management & Network Access Control |
Exam Version | v1.1 |
Exam Retirement Date | Not Announced |
Replacement Exam | None |
Registration Opening Date | February 24, 2020 |
Exam Cost | $300 USD (or redeemable via Cisco Learning Credits) |
Exam Duration | 90 Minutes |
Number of Questions | 55 – 65 questions |
Question Formats | Multiple Choice (Single & Multiple Response), Drag-and-Drop, Scenario Testlets |
Passing Score | Variable scaled score (~750–850 on a 300–1000 scale / approx. 825) |
Languages | English, Japanese |
Delivery Methods | Online Proctored (Pearson VUE OnVUE) / Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center |
Retake Policy | Must wait 5 full calendar days beginning the day after the failed attempt |
Certification Validity | 3 Years |
Recommended Experience | 3–5 years implementing Cisco security solutions, 802.1X protocols, and enterprise identity management |
For official scheduling, exam requirements, and the latest blueprint updates, visit the official Cisco 300-715 certification page.
Career Opportunities & Industry Benefits
Target Job Roles: Network Security Engineer, Identity & Access Management (IAM) Specialist, Cisco ISE Deployment Consultant, SOC Access Control Specialist, and Enterprise Infrastructure Architect.
Operational Value: Certified engineers eliminate unauthorized network access, implement zero-trust micro-segmentation, streamline guest and BYOD onboarding, and automate containment workflows across enterprise switching and wireless fabrics.
Compensation Benchmarks: Professionals holding CCNP Security credentials and ISE specialist certifications earn median annual salaries ranging from $105,000 to $160,000+.
CCNP Security Fulfillment: Passing the 300-715 SISE exam satisfies the concentration requirement needed to complete the CCNP Security certification when paired with the core 350-701 SCOR exam.
Official Syllabus Percentage Breakdown
The Cisco 300-715 SISE curriculum distributes identity management competencies across seven weighted domains:
Domain # | Official Syllabus Focus Area | Percentage Weight |
1.0 | Architecture and Deployment | 10% |
2.0 | Policy Enforcement | 25% |
3.0 | Web Auth and Guest Services | 15% |
4.0 | Profiler | 15% |
5.0 | BYOD | 15% |
6.0 | Endpoint Compliance | 10% |
7.0 | Network Access Device Administration | 10% |
Detailed Exam Blueprint & Core Technical Concepts
1.0 Architecture and Deployment (10%)
ISE Personas: Configuring Primary/Secondary Policy Administration Nodes (PAN), Monitoring and Troubleshooting Nodes (MnT), and distributed Policy Service Nodes (PSN).
Deployment Models: Standalone single-node, dual-node high availability (active/standby PAN/MnT), and multi-node distributed deployments across geographically dispersed data centers.
Hardware & Virtual Specs: Allocating CPU, RAM, and disk storage requirements based on active concurrent endpoints; understanding VM performance limits and Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) workflows.
2.0 Policy Enforcement (25%)
Identity Stores: Integrating native Microsoft Active Directory (AD), LDAP, PKI certificate authorities, SAML Identity Providers (IdP), and REST ID stores.
Authentication & Authorization Policy: Constructing nested rule sets using conditions, dictionaries, and allowed protocols (EAP-TLS, PEAP-MSCHAPv2, EAP-FAST).
802.1X Phased Deployment: Implementing deployment models—Monitor Mode (open authentication, logging only), Low Impact Mode (open voice/closed data with pre-auth ACLs), and Closed Mode (strict 802.1X/MAB enforcement).
Cisco TrustSec: Designing software-defined micro-segmentation using Scalable Group Tags (SGTs), SGT Exchange Protocol (SXP), and Security Group Access Control Lists (SGACLs).
Review Tip: Practicing with real 300-715 exam questions helps cement the exact differences between dACLs, VLAN assignment, and SGT enforcement in authorization profiles.
3.0 Web Auth and Guest Services (15%)
Web Authentication Models: Configuring Central Web Authentication (CWA), Local Web Authentication (LWA), and Supplicant Provisioning Wizards.
Guest Portals: Creating self-service guest portals, sponsored guest workflows, and hotspot portals with acceptable use policies (AUP).
Sponsor Portals: Configuring sponsor groups, guest account creation permissions, and custom notification parameters via SMS or email.
4.0 Profiler (15%)
Profiler Probes: Implementing probes to discover and classify endpoints: DHCP, RADIUS, SNMP Query/Trap, HTTP, DNS, NetFlow, and Active Directory probes.
Change of Authorization (CoA): Triggering dynamic RADIUS CoA (RFC 5176) to adjust authorization states when an endpoint changes its profiled identity or posture score.
Endpoint Management: Managing Endpoint Identity Groups, logical profiles, custom profiling policies, and profiler feed service updates.
5.0 BYOD (15%)
Cisco BYOD Architecture: Dual-SSID vs. Single-SSID onboarding flows, internal CA certificate issuance, and device registration workflows.
Certificate Management: Configuring the Cisco ISE internal Certificate Authority (root and subordinate), SCEP (Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol), and client certificate templates.
Blacklist & Whitelist Controls: Managing lost or stolen endpoints, blacklisting MAC addresses, and establishing endpoint registration limits.
6.0 Endpoint Compliance (10%)
Posture Assessment Services: Configuring posture conditions, remediation actions, and client provisioning policies for managed corporate endpoints.
Cisco Secure Client (AnyConnect) Posture: Deploying posture modules, configuring ISE posture agents, and setting compliance check intervals.
Posture States & Remediation: Evaluating Unknown, Compliant, and Non-Compliant states; enforcing quarantine authorization profiles and dynamic remediation servers.
7.0 Network Access Device Administration (10%)
TACACS+ vs. RADIUS: Contrasting TACACS+ (TCP port 49, encrypted packet body, separated authentication/authorization) with RADIUS (UDP ports 1812/1813 or 1645/1646, encrypted password only).
Device Admin (TACACS+): Configuring device groups, network access devices (NADs), command sets, and shell profiles to enforce granular privilege levels and audit CLI execution on network infrastructure.
Exam Format & Testing Rules
Linear Navigation: Cisco exams enforce strict forward-only progression. Once you confirm an answer and proceed, you cannot review or alter past responses.
Question Formats: Multiple-choice (single and multiple select), drag-and-drop protocol alignments, and policy-matching scenario testlets.
Scoring Rules: Standard scaled score from 300 to 1000 points with an approximate passing threshold of 825. Unanswered or incorrect questions receive zero credit with no negative deductions.
Testing Methods: Delivered at authorized Pearson VUE testing centers or via OnVUE online remote proctoring.
Proven Preparation Strategy
Prioritize Policy Enforcement & Architecture: Policy Enforcement (25%), Web Auth (15%), Profiler (15%), and BYOD (15%) represent 70% of the entire exam. Focus on the operational flow of 802.1X handshakes, Profiler probe behaviors, and CoA trigger types.
Master Phased 802.1X Deployment: Understand the exact progression from Monitor Mode to Low Impact Mode to Closed Mode, including what traffic is permitted at each stage.
Benchmark Timing with Timed Mock Tests: Taking a full-length 300-715 practice test alongside verified Cisco 300-715 exam dumps helps build the speed needed to parse complex policy condition tables and RADIUS attributes within the 90-minute limit.
Prepare for Your Certification Today
Validating your ability to implement Cisco Identity Services Engine, configure 802.1X policy enforcement, manage endpoint profiling, and secure network access with Zero Trust micro-segmentation is an essential milestone in your cybersecurity career. Master Cisco ISE configuration, explore practical testing workflows using free 300-715 dumps, and build the test-taking speed needed to pass your certification on your very first try.
Start practicing now and pass your Cisco 300-715 exam with confidence at ExamTopicsBase.