Describe how Cisco ISE fits into contemporary network security architectures and the main functions, design motivations, and common use cases
Examine the functional roles of Cisco ISE node personas, supported deployment models, licensing considerations, and their implications for design planning and scalability decisions
Implement the installation workflows, platform requirements, and initial setup steps for deploying Cisco ISE on supported virtual and hardware platforms
Evaluate the principles, message flow, and authorisation outcomes of 802.1X-based network access, and Cisco ISE’s contribution to the security of wired and wireless connections with identity-based controls
Describe how MAB works, including its fallback behavior, flow sequence, and policy application within Cisco ISE, and how MAB provides access to non-802.1X-compatible devices
Establish the role of NADs in Cisco ISE authentication workflows, and provide an outline of the steps required to add, configure, and validate NADs within Cisco ISE to ensure secure policy enforcement
Discuss the role of internal and external identity sources in Cisco ISE, how user and device identities are managed, and how certificates are used for identity-based authentication
Evaluate how to configure Cisco ISE to integrate with Active Directory and LDAP, and outline the key settings and connectivity requirements needed to support external user authentication
Interpret how Cisco ISE selects identity sources during authentication and the logic and conditions that determine identity store sequences, fallback behavior, and identity normalisation techniques
Discuss the structure and purpose of policy sets in Cisco ISE, including how global and local constructs interact, how policy sets are matched and evaluated, and how authentication and authorisation logic is organised within each policy set
Identify how Cisco ISE evaluates authentication policies using rule conditions, identity store sequences, and dictionaries, as well as how behavior is applied when no rules match
Interpret how Cisco ISE applies authorisation policies following authentication, including how rules are constructed using Conditions Studio and matched against user and device attributes to apply appropriate access profiles
Analyse Cisco ISE policies based on logs, RADIUS flow data, and session context to resolve authentication and authorisation issues across different access scenarios
Analyse how Cisco ISE provides web-based guest access using CWA, and distinguish between hotspot, self-registration, and sponsored access flows
Establish global guest settings in Cisco ISE to define account lifecycle behavior, credential policies, communication methods, and access types for guests across supported onboarding processes
Configure Cisco ISE guest portals to support different access flows, manage account lifecycles, and implement deployment models that are consistent with organisational policies and scalability requirements
Set up sponsor-drive guest access in Cisco ISE via access roles, linking guest types to sponsor groups, and customising portal behavior to support account creation and approval
Establish a clear understanding of Cisco ISE’s roles in secure and scalable BYOD access: its enterprise use cases, deployment models, policy-based control strategies, key components, Cisco ISE-specific capabilities, and onboarding designs such as single and dual SSIDs for seamless personal device integration into the network
Configure Cisco ISE to deliver supplicants, issue certificates, and enforce policies as part of a complete BYOD onboarding pipeline
Operate post-onboarding workflows using the My Device Portal, including revocation of certificates and device de-registration for lost or stolen endpoints
Explain how Cisco ISE uses profiling to identify endpoints by taking advantage of classification logic, profiler components, data flows, and feed services to provide the foundation for advanced profiling and policy enforcement
Analyse how Cisco ISE collects endpoint data using built-in probes, device sensors, and pxGrid enrichment, and how each method contributes to the accuracy and coverage of profiling
Analyse how the profiling policies in Cisco ISE classify endpoints based on collection attributes, and how logical profiles are created and applied to support the decision-making process for determining access based on identity
Design scalable profiling solutions by aligning design principles, probe selection, and NAD integration with diverse network environments
Maintain visibility of profiling through dashboards and reporting tools, and improve deployment efficiency through optimisation techniques
Apply foundational understanding of Cisco ISE posture services, including agent types, flow logic, operational modes, and use cases
Implement Cisco ISE to deliver posture agents and related resources to endpoints by configuring update services, portals, and delivery policies
Administer Cisco ISE policies to ensure secure and compliant network access
Test compliance-based access enforcement by simulating a variety of endpoint scenarios using Cisco AnyConnect
Assess session behavior, interpret posture outcomes, and analyse reporting tools to confirm the effectiveness of posture policy application and remediation
Examine Cisco ISE’s use of TACACS+ for securing administrative access, including key AAA concepts and a comparison with RADIUS to illustrate centralised authentication and authorisation
Set up Cisco ISE for TACACS+ based device administration by configuring policy elements such as command sets, profiles, and policy sets
Onboard network devices, define access permissions, and set up authentication and authorisation rules to control administrator access
Implement advanced TACACS+ authorisation logic, implement administrator command access, and implement scalable deployments using proven design guidelines
Compare Cisco’s TrustSec core architecture, operation, and design considerations, including its enhancements and planning prerequisites for enterprise deployment
Configure Cisco TrustSec segmentation in Cisco ISE, including SGT classification, SXP propagation, and tag-based policy enforcement
Interpret how to operationalise Cisco ISE through system maintenance, backup/restore procedures, certificate management, and structured upgrades in production environments
There are no prerequisites for this training. However, the knowledge and skills you are recommended to have before attending this training are:
