Cisco Umbrella DNS Interview Questions and Answers

Cisco Umbrella DNS Interview Questions and?Answers

1. Why is it important to communicate with the appropriate teams before making DNS?changes?

• Answer: DNS changes can have a significant impact on network operations, potentially causing service disruptions if not properly coordinated. Communicating with the relevant teams ensures that all stakeholders are informed, and permissions are obtained, reducing the risk of unexpected downtime or misconfigurations.

2. How can you verify if a device is already using Cisco Umbrella DNS?servers?

• Answer: You can verify by navigating to welcome.umbrella.com in a web browser. If the device is using Cisco Umbrella DNS servers, a success message will be displayed indicating that the device is protected by Umbrella.

3. What are the three core components of a Cisco Umbrella DNS deployment?

Answer:

• Register a Network by Adding a Network Identity
• Define the identity for your network within the Umbrella dashboard to associate DNS traffic with your organization.
• Point Your DNS to Cisco Umbrella
• Update your DNS settings (on routers, DHCP servers, or devices) to forward all DNS queries to Cisco Umbrella’s resolvers.
• Add and Configure a Security Policy
• Create and customize policies to enforce security, content filtering, and application control tailored to your organizational needs.

4. What is a Network identity in Cisco Umbrella, and why is it important?

• Answer: A Network identity represents an entity, such as a network or device, against which policies are enforced and reports are generated. It allows administrators to apply specific security controls and monitor activities on the network effectively.
• Register a Network by Adding a Network Identity
• Define the identity for your network within the Umbrella dashboard to associate DNS traffic with your organization.
• Point Your DNS to Cisco Umbrella
• Update your DNS settings (on routers, DHCP servers, or devices) to forward all DNS queries to Cisco Umbrella’s resolvers.
• Add and Configure a Security Policy
• Create and customize policies to enforce security, content filtering, and application control tailored to your organizational needs.

5. What are the IP addresses for Cisco Umbrella’s DNS?servers?

• Answer:
• IPv4: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
• IPv6: 2620:119:35::35 and 2620:119:53::53

6. How do you register a network in Cisco Umbrella?

Answer:

To register a network in Cisco Umbrella, follow these steps:

1. Access the Umbrella Dashboard:

• Log in to your Cisco Umbrella account.
• Navigate to Deployments > Core Identities > Networks.

2. Add a New Network Identity:

Click the Add button.

• Enter a meaningful Network Name to identify your network.
• Select the appropriate Internet Protocol: IPv4, IPv6, or Mixed (both).
• Input your network’s IP Address and Subnet Mask. Ensure that the IP address is unique within Umbrella.
• If your network uses a dynamic IP address (IPv4 only), check the option This network has a dynamic IP address and download the Umbrella Dynamic IP Updater for your operating system:
• Windows IP Updater
• Mac IP Updater
• Linux IP Updater

3. Save the Configuration:

• Click Save to register the network.
• Initially, the network status will appear as Inactive.

4. Configure DNS Settings on Your Network Device

• Update your network’s DNS settings to point to Cisco Umbrella’s DNS servers:
• IPv4:
• 208.67.222.222
• 208.67.220.220
• IPv6:
• 2620:119:35::35
• 2620:119:53::53
• This configuration is typically done on your router, DNS server, or DHCP server.

5. Verify the Network Status:

• Once DNS traffic from your network is directed to Umbrella, the network status in the dashboard will change to Active.
• To confirm, navigate to https://welcome.umbrella.com/. A “Welcome to Umbrella” page indicates successful configuration

For detailed instructions and additional considerations, refer to Cisco’s official documentation:

• Add a Network Identity?—?Umbrella User Guide
• How to Manage Networks with Dynamic IP Addresses

By completing these steps, your network will be registered and protected under Cisco Umbrella’s security policies.

7. What steps are required to point DNS to Cisco Umbrella?

Answer:

Change DNS Settings on the Relevant Device:

• Update the DNS settings on your DNS server, DHCP server, router, or other network device to use Cisco Umbrella’s DNS IP addresses:
• IPv4:
• 208.67.222.222
• 208.67.220.220
• IPv6:
• 2620:119:35::35
• 2620:119:53::53

Disable Automatic DNS from the ISP:

• Ensure that any automatic DNS settings provided by your ISP are disabled to prevent overrides.

Restart the Network Interface or Device:

• Restart the device or network interface where the DNS changes were applied to ensure the new DNS settings take effect.

Verify the Configuration:

• Visit welcome.umbrella.com from a device in your network.
• If the setup is successful, you’ll see a confirmation page stating, “Welcome to Umbrella.

8. How can you test if DNS traffic is routed through Cisco Umbrella?

Answer:

Check Routing to Cisco Umbrella:

• Navigate to welcome.umbrella.com from a device in your network.
• If DNS traffic is successfully routed through Cisco Umbrella, you will see a confirmation page with the message: “Welcome to Umbrella”.

Test Security Settings:

• Visit https://examplemalwaredomain.com/ (a safe test domain provided by Cisco to simulate a blocked malicious site).
• If Umbrella is correctly enforcing security policies, access to this site should be blocked, and you will see a message indicating that the domain is restricted.

Additional Validation with Logs:

• Log in to the Umbrella dashboard and navigate to the Reporting section.
• Check the DNS request logs to verify that requests from your network are being recorded.

9. What are the primary components you can configure in an Umbrella?policy?

• Answer:

Primary Components Configurable in a Cisco Umbrella Policy:

1. Enforce Security at the DNS Layer:

• Block malicious domains, IP addresses, and URLs to prevent threats such as phishing, malware, and ransomware.

2. Inspect Files for Malicious Content (With Secure Web Gateway Integration):

3. Enable deeper inspection of files to detect and block malicious content before it reaches users.

Content Filtering:

• Limit access to websites based on predefined or custom content categories (e.g., gambling, adult content, social media).

1. Application Control:

• Block or allow access to specific cloud-based applications and services to align with organizational policies.

2. Destination Lists (Block/Allow Lists):

• Configure custom block/allow lists to manage access to specific domains, ensuring flexibility for organizational needs.

3. Advanced Settings:

• SafeSearch Enforcement: Enable SafeSearch for search engines to filter out explicit content.
• Logging: Configure logging settings for DNS queries and web activity for auditing and reporting.

10. What is the purpose of a destination list in Cisco Umbrella policies?

• Answer:

A destination list in Cisco Umbrella allows administrators to:

1. Define Specific Domains to Block or Allow:

• Specify domains, subdomains, or IP addresses that should always be either blocked or allowed, regardless of other policy configurations.

2. Enhance Policy Granularity:

• Tailor access control to meet unique organizational or departmental requirements by overriding general policy settings.

3. Global or Policy-Specific Application:

• Global Destination Lists: Apply universally across all policies and identities.
• Policy-Specific Destination Lists: Apply to specific policies or identities, providing localized control.

4. Support Business Needs:

• Ensure critical domains are always accessible.
• Block specific domains based on compliance, security, or operational requirements.

Examples:

• Block access to a newly identified malicious domain.
• Allow access to a blocked website critical for business operations.

11. How do you customize a block page in Cisco Umbrella?

• Answer:
• Navigate to the block page settings in the policy wizard.
• Customize the appearance, add a custom domain, or configure a bypass option.
• Save the changes to apply the customized block page.

12. What should you do if a network has a dynamic IP?address?

Answer:

Enable Dynamic IP Support in Umbrella:

• When adding the network in the Cisco Umbrella dashboard, select the option “This network has a dynamic IP address” during the configuration.

Use the Cisco Umbrella Dynamic IP Updater:

• Download and install the Cisco Umbrella Dynamic IP Updater on a device within the network.
• This tool automatically tracks IP changes and updates them in the Umbrella dashboard.

Download Links:

• Windows IP Updater
• Mac IP Updater
• Linux IP Updater

Use Dynamic DNS (DDNS):

• If applicable, configure a dynamic DNS (DDNS) service to associate the network’s dynamic IP address with a static hostname. Cisco Umbrella supports this setup to ensure continuity.

Verify Configuration:

• Ensure the updater tool is running and successfully updating the IP address in the Umbrella dashboard.
• Verify that policies are being applied correctly by checking activity logs or visiting welcome.umbrella.com.

13. What happens if no specific policy is configured for a network identity in Umbrella?

• Answer:

If no specific policy is configured for a network identity in Cisco Umbrella, the default policy is automatically applied. This ensures:

1. Baseline Security:

• Umbrella enforces basic security measures, such as blocking known malicious domains and applying any globally defined rules.

2. Global Settings Application:

• Content filtering, application control, or destination lists defined in the default policy will apply to the network identity.

3. Unconfigured Identities Are Not Left Unprotected:

• The default policy acts as a safety net to provide a minimum level of security for all identities without specific policies.

Key Notes:

• The default policy is pre-configured when setting up Cisco Umbrella and can be modified to fit organizational requirements.
• It’s good practice to review the default policy to ensure it aligns with your organization’s baseline security needs.

14. What is the difference between a security policy and a content policy in Cisco Umbrella?

• Answer:

Security Policy:

• Purpose: Protects users from malicious activity and threats.
• Focus:
• Blocks access to known malicious domains (e.g., phishing, malware, ransomware).
• Detects and inspects suspicious files (if Secure Web Gateway or file inspection is enabled).
• Enforces DNS-layer security to prevent connections to harmful IPs and URLs.
• Application: Essential for safeguarding against cyber threats.

Content Policy:

• Purpose: Regulates user access to non-malicious websites based on organizational guidelines.
• Focus:
• Blocks or allows access to websites based on categories (e.g., gambling, adult content, social media, streaming).
• Can be customized to align with corporate productivity or compliance requirements.
• Application: Used to enforce acceptable use policies for web browsing.

Summary:

• Security Policy: Focuses on threat prevention.
• Content Policy: Focuses on access control and acceptable use.

15. What advanced features can be enabled in Cisco Umbrella policies?

• Answer:

Advanced Features in Cisco Umbrella Policies

Intelligent Proxy:

• Redirects web traffic to the proxy for deeper inspection of risky domains while allowing safe domains to bypass the proxy.
• Enables inspection of specific files and URLs for potential threats.

SafeSearch Enforcement:

• Forces SafeSearch across popular search engines to block explicit content in search results.
• Useful for educational institutions or workplaces to enforce content filtering.

Allow-Only Mode:

• Restricts users to access only domains explicitly permitted in the allow lists.
• Useful in high-security environments where access to external domains needs to be strictly controlled.

File Inspection:

• Inspects files downloaded from the web using:
• Cisco AMP (Advanced Malware Protection): Detects and blocks known malware.
• Antivirus Engines: Provides additional layers of threat detection for malicious files.

SSL Decryption (With Secure Web Gateway):

• Decrypts and inspects encrypted HTTPS traffic to identify threats that might otherwise bypass security checks.

1. Custom URL Blocking:

• Enables blocking specific URLs (not just domains) for more granular control.

2. Logging and Data Retention:

• Configure detailed activity logging for compliance and forensic analysis.
• Integration with Cisco SecureX or SIEM platforms for enhanced reporting and response.

3. Application Control:

• Controls access to specific cloud-based applications and services to manage productivity and security risks

Key Notes for Practical Scenarios:

• Always back up DNS configurations before making changes.
• Ensure policies are tested in a controlled environment before deploying organization-wide.
• Document all changes for audit and rollback purposes.

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