hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
PCNSA Security Rule Matching Order Practice Question
During a security audit, it is discovered that some traffic from the 'guest' zone to the 'untrust' zone is not being inspected by Threat Prevention profiles. The security rule that matches this traffic has a Threat Prevention profile applied. What is a likely reason for the lack of inspection?
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
✓
An earlier rule with action 'allow' is matching the traffic before reaching this rule
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, security rules are evaluated in order from top to bottom. The first matching rule is applied to the traffic. Even if a later rule has a Threat Prevention profile applied, if an earlier rule with action 'allow' matches and does not have a Threat Prevention profile (or has a different profile), the later rule's profile will not be applied. Thus, traffic may bypass inspection. Option A is incorrect because a disabled profile would cause lack of inspection, but the profile is applied on the rule. Option C is incorrect because Threat Prevention profiles inspect all supported services; unsupported services would be bypassed, but that is not the likely reason here. Option D is incorrect because a 'deny' action would block the traffic, not allow it without inspection.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The Threat Prevention profile is disabled on the rule
Why it's wrong here
The administrator confirmed the profile is applied, so it is not disabled.
- ✓
An earlier rule with action 'allow' is matching the traffic before reaching this rule
Why this is correct
If a higher-priority rule matches and allows traffic without a threat profile, the later rule's profile is not used.
- ✗
The traffic uses a service that is not supported by the Threat Prevention profile
Why it's wrong here
Threat Prevention profiles inspect all supported protocols; unsupported ones are passed without inspection but this would not affect supported services.
- ✗
The security rule action is set to 'deny'
Why it's wrong here
If action is deny, the traffic is blocked, not allowed without inspection.
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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.