Quick Answer
The answer is Source user, because this matching criterion allows the Palo Alto Networks firewall to enforce decryption policies based on user identity retrieved from Active Directory. When the firewall is integrated with AD via User-ID, it maps IP addresses to usernames, and the Source user field in a decryption policy rule lets you target specific users or groups—such as applying SSL decryption only to domain-joined employees while bypassing it for guests or service accounts. On the PCNSA exam, this question tests your understanding of how decryption policy matching criteria differ from security policy criteria; a common trap is confusing Source user with Source zone or Source address, which ignore identity. Remember that for user-based decryption, you must first configure User-ID and then select Source user as the match type. A helpful memory tip: think “Decrypt the person, not the port”—Source user is your identity-based filter for decryption rules.
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of decryption and monitoring. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 company wants to ensure that decryption policies are applied based on the user identity. The firewall is integrated with Active Directory. Which decryption policy matching criteria should be used?
Source user
Source user matches authenticated usernames.
URL category
Why wrong: URL category uses URL filtering, not user identity.
Source zone
Why wrong: Source zone uses network zones, not user identity.
Source IP address
Why wrong: Source IP does not use user identity.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Source user
Source user allows matching based on user identity from AD.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Source user
Why this is correct
Source user matches authenticated usernames.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
URL category
Why it's wrong here
URL category uses URL filtering, not user identity.
Source zone
Why it's wrong here
Source zone uses network zones, not user identity.
Source IP address
Why it's wrong here
Source IP does not use user identity.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PCNSA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which PCNSA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Decryption and Monitoring — This question tests Decryption and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Source user — Source user allows matching based on user identity from AD.
Identify which PCNSA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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