PCNSA Securing Traffic Practice Question
A company's security policy uses application-based rules. However, some traffic from a new cloud application is being blocked even though the application is allowed in the rule. What should the administrator check first?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Ensure the application is identified by App-ID and that the correct application name is used.
If a security policy allows a specific application but traffic from that application is blocked, the most likely cause is that the application is not being correctly identified by App-ID. The administrator should first verify that the application is recognized by App-ID and that the correct application name is used in the rule. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because zones being correct is necessary but not the first check if the application is allowed. Option C is wrong because the action is already allow; the issue is identification. Option D is wrong because rule order matters only if multiple rules match, but here the rule matches yet traffic is blocked, so identification is the primary concern.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Verify the source and destination zones are correct.
Why it's wrong here
If zones were wrong, the rule wouldn't match at all.
- ✓
Ensure the application is identified by App-ID and that the correct application name is used.
Why this is correct
Unknown or uncategorized applications may not match the rule.
- ✗
Confirm that the action is set to allow.
Why it's wrong here
If action were block, traffic would be blocked; but the question says it is allowed.
- ✗
Check the order of security rules.
Why it's wrong here
Rule order is important but if the rule matches and it is an allow rule, order is not the issue.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCNSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free Palo Alto Networks certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCNSA exam.