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Question 78 of 529

Core Concepts →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

PCNSA Core Concepts Practice Question

This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of core concepts. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

A network administrator is configuring a new security policy to allow specific inbound traffic to a web server. The policy must be as specific as possible to minimize risk. Which configuration approach is correct?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.

A
Create a security policy with source zone Untrust, destination zone DMZ, and service application-default.
Why wrong: Incorrect. service application-default is not a standard service object; it is vague and not specific. Also, it does not restrict traffic to a specific application.
B
Create a security policy with source any, destination DMZ, and service http.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Using source any is too broad and increases risk. The source zone should be specified as Untrust to limit inbound traffic from external sources.
C
Create a security policy with source zone Untrust, destination zone DMZ, and application web-browsing.
Correct. Using application web-browsing with App-ID ensures only web browsing traffic is allowed, regardless of port, providing the most specific control.
D
Create a security policy with source zone Untrust, destination zone DMZ, and service http.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Using service http restricts to port 80, but other applications could use that port, reducing specificity compared to App-ID.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Create a security policy with source zone Untrust, destination zone DMZ, and application web-browsing.

Option A is correct. Using 'service application-default' restricts traffic to the default port for the application identified by App-ID, providing both application and port specificity. This approach minimizes risk by ensuring only the intended application's default port is allowed. Options B and D use broad port-based services that permit any application on that port, increasing risk. Option C uses App-ID but only for web-browsing (HTTP), omitting ssl for HTTPS, thus blocking secure web traffic—a critical oversight for a web server serving HTTPS.

Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
Create a security policy with source zone Untrust, destination zone DMZ, and service application-default.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. service application-default is not a standard service object; it is vague and not specific. Also, it does not restrict traffic to a specific application.
✗
Create a security policy with source any, destination DMZ, and service http.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Using source any is too broad and increases risk. The source zone should be specified as Untrust to limit inbound traffic from external sources.
✓
Create a security policy with source zone Untrust, destination zone DMZ, and application web-browsing.
Why this is correct
Correct. Using application web-browsing with App-ID ensures only web browsing traffic is allowed, regardless of port, providing the most specific control.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Create a security policy with source zone Untrust, destination zone DMZ, and service http.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Using service http restricts to port 80, but other applications could use that port, reducing specificity compared to App-ID.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match

ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.

TExam Day Tips

Check inbound versus outbound direction.
Read the ACL from top to bottom.
Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.

Key takeaway

ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCNSA ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this PCNSA question test?

Core Concepts — This question tests Core Concepts — Standard ACLs match source addresses..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Create a security policy with source zone Untrust, destination zone DMZ, and application web-browsing. — Option A is correct. Using 'service application-default' restricts traffic to the default port for the application identified by App-ID, providing both application and port specificity. This approach minimizes risk by ensuring only the intended application's default port is allowed. Options B and D use broad port-based services that permit any application on that port, increasing risk. Option C uses App-ID but only for web-browsing (HTTP), omitting ssl for HTTPS, thus blocking secure web traffic—a critical oversight for a web server serving HTTPS.

What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Standard ACLs match source addresses.

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