PCNSA Securing Traffic Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. Exhibit: Output from 'show session id 12345': ``` session id 12345 application: ssl source: 192.168.1.10/20000 destination: 203.0.113.5/443 zone: inside -> outside rule: Allow_Outbound decrypted: yes decryption profile: Decrypt_Forward decrypted-policy: Decrypt_All ```
Based on the exhibit, what is the role of the rule "Allow_Outbound"?
⚠ Common exam trap
PCNSA often tests the distinction between security, NAT, QoS, and decryption rules, and candidates may confuse the purpose of a rule based on its name alone.
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
✓
It is a security rule that allows the session.
The rule 'Allow_Outbound' is a security rule that permits outbound traffic from the specified zone to the destination zone. In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, security rules define whether traffic is allowed or denied, and this rule explicitly allows the session.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
It is a security rule that allows the session.
Why this is correct
Security rules in PAN-OS permit or deny sessions based on zone, address, application and service match criteria; this rule matches the outbound session and its action is allow, so it authorises the traffic rather than performing NAT, decryption or logging-only functions.
- ✗
It is a QoS rule that prioritizes the traffic.
Why it's wrong here
QoS rules classify and shape traffic via QoS profiles; they do not permit or deny sessions. Allow_Outbound is a security policy rule governing whether outbound sessions are allowed. QoS would be correct where bandwidth guarantees or traffic prioritisation are required.
- ✗
It is a NAT rule that translates the source IP.
Why it's wrong here
NAT rules perform source or destination address translation and are configured separately from security policy. Allow_Outbound permits or blocks sessions rather than translating addresses. A NAT rule would be the answer where source IP hiding or address translation is the stated requirement.
- ✗
It is a decryption rule that decrypts the traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Allow_Outbound sits in the security policy rulebase, so it governs whether sessions are permitted or denied, not whether TLS is decrypted. Decryption rules are configured separately under Policies > Decryption, where a rule specifies the certificate and decryption profile. That separate rulebase is where you would look to inspect encrypted traffic.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Palo Alto Networks exam blueprint
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.