PCNSA Securing Traffic Practice Question
An administrator needs to block all traffic from a specific IP address on the external interface. What is the simplest method?
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 rule with source zone, source IP, any destination, and action deny, placed at the top of the rulebase.
Creating a security rule with the source zone (external), source IP, any destination, and action deny, placed at the top of the rulebase, is the simplest and most direct method to block all traffic from a specific IP. Option B (Zone Protection profile) is designed for flood protection and not for blocking specific IPs. Option C omits the source zone, which could allow traffic from other zones and is not as precise. Option D (DoS protection policy) is intended for rate limiting and anomaly detection, not for simply blocking a single IP address.
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 rule with source zone, source IP, any destination, and action deny, placed at the top of the rulebase.
Why this is correct
This is straightforward and effective; the rule denies traffic from that IP immediately.
- ✗
Use a Zone Protection profile to block the IP.
Why it's wrong here
Zone Protection profiles are for flood protection and packet-based attack prevention, not for simple IP blocking.
- ✗
Create a security rule with source IP address and action deny.
Why it's wrong here
Missing source zone – the rule must specify the zone to match the traffic.
- ✗
Use a DoS protection policy to block the IP.
Why it's wrong here
DoS protection is for rate limiting and mitigation, not for static block of a specific IP.
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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.