PCNSA Decryption and Monitoring Practice Question
Exhibit
> show decryption rule rule name: Default-No-Decrypt, source: any, dest: any, action: no-decrypt rule name: Decrypt-Web, source: any, dest: any, action: decrypt, profile: strict
Refer to the exhibit. A decryption policy has two rules. Traffic destined to a web server is not being decrypted. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Palo Alto Networks often tests the concept of rule order in decryption policies, where candidates mistakenly focus on profile settings or source/destination fields instead of recognizing that a higher-priority 'no-decrypt' rule matching all traffic will override any lower-priority decrypt rule.
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
✓
The Default-No-Decrypt rule is above Decrypt-Web and matches all traffic
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, decryption policy rules are evaluated in order from top to bottom, and the first matching rule is applied. If the 'Default-No-Decrypt' rule is placed above the 'Decrypt-Web' rule and matches all traffic (e.g., source/destination 'any'), then all traffic, including traffic to the web server, will match this rule first and will not be decrypted, preventing the 'Decrypt-Web' rule from ever being evaluated.
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 'strict' profile is misconfigured
Why it's wrong here
The traffic never reaches the Decrypt-Web rule because the default rule matches first.
- ✗
The Decrypt-Web rule has a profile that blocks decryption
Why it's wrong here
The profile would only be evaluated if the rule matched, but it doesn't.
- ✓
The Default-No-Decrypt rule is above Decrypt-Web and matches all traffic
Why this is correct
Rules are evaluated top-down; the no-decrypt rule matches before the decrypt rule.
- ✗
The source is set to 'any' in the Decrypt-Web rule
Why it's wrong here
Source any is not an issue; the rule would match if reached.
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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.