Scenario 1: Configuring and Troubleshooting Access Control Policies

Question: You have configured an access control policy on Cisco FTD to allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic to a web server in the DMZ, but users report they cannot access the web server. How would you troubleshoot and resolve this issue?

Answer:

1. Check Access Control Policy Configuration: Verify that the access control policy includes rules allowing HTTP and HTTPS traffic to the web server’s IP address.
2. Verify Interface Configuration: Ensure the interface connected to the DMZ has the correct IP address and is assigned to the appropriate security zone.
3. Inspect NAT Configuration: Ensure there are no conflicting NAT rules affecting traffic to the web server.
4. Review Connection Events: Use the “Connection Events” in FMC (Firepower Management Center) to check if the traffic is hitting the firewall and verify if any rules are blocking it.
5. Check Logs: Review logs for any dropped packets or errors related to the access control policy.
6. Use Packet Tracer: Utilize the packet tracer tool to simulate the traffic flow and identify where it might be blocked.
7. Validate the Web Server: Ensure the web server is running and accessible internally to rule out server issues.

Scenario 2: Deploying Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) in a HA Configuration

Question: You are tasked with deploying Cisco FTD in a high availability (HA) configuration. What steps would you follow to ensure a successful HA setup?

Answer:

1. Pre-Configuration Checks: Ensure both FTD devices are running the same software version and have compatible hardware.
2. Configure Interfaces: Assign IP addresses to the interfaces on both devices, ensuring they are on the same subnet.
3. Enable Failover: On the primary device, enable failover and configure the failover link and stateful failover link.
4. Configure Failover Parameters: Set the failover group and specify the secondary device.
5. Sync Configuration: Ensure the secondary device is synchronized with the primary device’s configuration.
6. Test Failover: Perform a failover test to ensure the secondary device takes over seamlessly in case of a primary device failure.
7. Monitor Failover Status: Use the show failover command to monitor the failover status and ensure both devices are in sync.

Scenario 3: Managing and Updating Threat Intelligence

Question: Your company has experienced several recent security incidents and you have been asked to update the threat intelligence on your Cisco FTD devices. How would you approach this task?

Answer:

1. Update the SRU (Security Intelligence and AMP): Ensure the Security Intelligence and AMP for Endpoints definitions are up to date.
2. Configure Threat Intelligence Feeds: Subscribe to and configure external threat intelligence feeds to receive the latest threat information.
3. Enable Automatic Updates: Set up automatic updates for the intrusion rules and vulnerability databases.
4. Customize Block Lists: Add specific IP addresses, URLs, or domains to the block lists based on recent threat intelligence reports.
5. Review and Apply Security Intelligence Policies: Apply security intelligence policies to block traffic from known malicious IPs, domains, and URLs.
6. Monitor Threat Intelligence Reports: Regularly review threat intelligence reports and adjust policies to protect against emerging threats.

Scenario 4: VPN Configuration and Troubleshooting

Question: You have configured a site-to-site VPN on Cisco FTD, but users at the remote site cannot access resources on the main site. What steps would you take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue?

Answer:

1. Check VPN Configuration: Verify the VPN configuration on both FTD devices, including IKE and IPsec policies.
2. Verify IPsec SA: Check the IPsec Security Associations (SAs) to ensure they are correctly established.
3. Inspect ACLs: Ensure access control lists (ACLs) are correctly configured to allow traffic between the sites.
4. Review Logs: Check the VPN logs for any error messages or failed connection attempts.
5. Test Connectivity: Use the ping command to test connectivity between the remote and main site subnets.
6. Verify Routing: Ensure the routing on both sites is correctly configured to route traffic through the VPN tunnel.
7. Check NAT Rules: Ensure no NAT rules are interfering with the VPN traffic.

Scenario 5: Implementing Firepower Device Manager (FDM)

Question: You need to deploy and manage a Cisco FTD device using Firepower Device Manager (FDM). What are the steps involved in setting up and configuring FDM?

Answer:

1. Initial Device Setup: Connect to the FTD device and perform the initial setup, including setting the management IP address.
2. Access FDM: Open a web browser and connect to the FDM interface using the management IP address.
3. Complete the Initial Configuration Wizard: Follow the wizard to configure basic settings, including hostname, NTP server, DNS settings, and admin credentials.
4. Configure Network Interfaces: Set up the network interfaces, including IP addresses, security zones, and VLANs if necessary.
5. Create Access Control Policies: Define and apply access control policies to control traffic flow.
6. Set Up NAT Rules: Configure NAT rules to translate internal IP addresses to public IP addresses.
7. Enable Threat Defense Features: Activate intrusion prevention, URL filtering, and other security features as required.
8. Monitor and Manage: Use the FDM dashboard to monitor the device status, view alerts, and manage configurations.

Conclusion

Scenario-based questions test your ability to apply Cisco FTD functionalities in real-world situations. By understanding and preparing for these scenarios, you can demonstrate your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge during interviews