Understanding the Link Between Decryption and URL Filtering
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of decryption and monitoring. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Exhibit
admin@PA-220> show system log | tail -20
2024-06-15 11:00:01 threat url example.com spyware blocked high
2024-06-15 11:00:02 threat url badsite.com malware blocked critical
2024-06-15 11:00:03 system config commit admin success
admin@PA-220> show url-filtering statistics
URL Filtering Profile: strict-profile
Total requests: 1500
Blocked: 45
Allowed: 1455
Categories: malware, spyware, phishing
admin@PA-220> show decryption statistics
Forward Proxy SSL/TLS Decryption: 1200 sessions, 45 MB decrypted
admin@PA-220> show running global-protect
No GlobalProtect configured
Refer to the exhibit. A security analyst notices that URL filtering is blocking some requests, but decryption is working. What can be concluded about the traffic that is being decrypted?
Exhibit
admin@PA-220> show system log | tail -20
2024-06-15 11:00:01 threat url example.com spyware blocked high
2024-06-15 11:00:02 threat url badsite.com malware blocked critical
2024-06-15 11:00:03 system config commit admin success
admin@PA-220> show url-filtering statistics
URL Filtering Profile: strict-profile
Total requests: 1500
Blocked: 45
Allowed: 1455
Categories: malware, spyware, phishing
admin@PA-220> show decryption statistics
Forward Proxy SSL/TLS Decryption: 1200 sessions, 45 MB decrypted
admin@PA-220> show running global-protect
No GlobalProtect configured
A
The URL filtering profile is applied to the same rule that enables decryption.
Typically, URL filtering is applied via security policy rules. The fact that decryption and URL filtering are both active suggests they are configured in the same rule, allowing URL filtering to inspect decrypted traffic.
B
The firewall is decrypting traffic but not inspecting it for threats.
Why wrong: The URL filtering statistics show blocked requests, indicating inspection is happening.
C
All decrypted traffic is inspected by URL filtering.
Why wrong: While decryption enables URL filtering to inspect encrypted traffic, the exhibit does not confirm that all decrypted traffic is subject to URL filtering; there could be other profiles.
D
GlobalProtect is required for decryption to work.
Why wrong: GlobalProtect is not related to decryption; the exhibit shows no GlobalProtect configured, yet decryption works.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The URL filtering profile is applied to the same rule that enables decryption.
The URL filtering statistics show total requests and blocked counts, but decryption statistics show 1200 sessions decrypted. The exhibit does not provide a direct correlation between decrypted sessions and URL filtering. However, since URL filtering inspects HTTP/HTTPS traffic, decryption enables it to see encrypted payloads. The blocked URLs (malware, spyware) likely come from decrypted sessions.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 URL filtering profile is applied to the same rule that enables decryption.
Why this is correct
Typically, URL filtering is applied via security policy rules. The fact that decryption and URL filtering are both active suggests they are configured in the same rule, allowing URL filtering to inspect decrypted traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The firewall is decrypting traffic but not inspecting it for threats.
Why it's wrong here
The URL filtering statistics show blocked requests, indicating inspection is happening.
✗
All decrypted traffic is inspected by URL filtering.
Why it's wrong here
While decryption enables URL filtering to inspect encrypted traffic, the exhibit does not confirm that all decrypted traffic is subject to URL filtering; there could be other profiles.
✗
GlobalProtect is required for decryption to work.
Why it's wrong here
GlobalProtect is not related to decryption; the exhibit shows no GlobalProtect configured, yet decryption works.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The URL filtering statistics show blocked requests, indicating inspection is happening.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
Decryption and Monitoring — This question tests Decryption and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The URL filtering profile is applied to the same rule that enables decryption. — The URL filtering statistics show total requests and blocked counts, but decryption statistics show 1200 sessions decrypted. The exhibit does not provide a direct correlation between decrypted sessions and URL filtering. However, since URL filtering inspects HTTP/HTTPS traffic, decryption enables it to see encrypted payloads. The blocked URLs (malware, spyware) likely come from decrypted sessions.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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