PCNSA Policy Evaluation and Management Practice Question
An administrator needs to apply a security profile that includes anti-malware and vulnerability protection to all traffic from the internal network to the internet. However, there is already a rule that allows this traffic without any profiles. What is the most efficient way to apply the profiles?
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 new rule above the existing rule with the profiles and action 'allow', and ensure the rule is before the existing allow rule.
Creating a new rule above the existing allow rule with the required security profiles and action 'allow' ensures the profiles are applied to all matching traffic without modifying the existing rule. This is the most efficient approach as it preserves the original rule and avoids disruption. Option A is incorrect because an action 'deny' would block traffic, not apply profiles. Option B is inefficient as it requires removing and recreating a rule, and could cause temporary gaps in security. Option D would work but is less efficient because it modifies an existing rule, potentially affecting other traffic or requiring careful testing.
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 new rule above the existing rule with the profiles and action 'deny'.
Why it's wrong here
Deny action would block traffic, not inspect.
- ✗
Remove the existing rule and replace it with a new rule that includes the profiles.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the existing rule could cause service disruption if not done carefully.
- ✓
Create a new rule above the existing rule with the profiles and action 'allow', and ensure the rule is before the existing allow rule.
Why this is correct
This ensures the new rule matches first and applies profiles.
- ✗
Edit the existing rule to add the security profiles.
Why it's wrong here
Editing works but may be less efficient if the rule is large or there are many rules.
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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.