PCNSE Practice Question: Securing Users and Applications with Authentication
A company needs to authenticate remote users accessing internal web applications via GlobalProtect portal and wants to use SAML with Azure AD for MFA. Which component must be configured on the firewall?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse the need for a server certificate (required for TLS) with the authentication method itself, or assume LDAP is needed for user identity, but SAML authentication is configured solely through the authentication profile and SAML IdP profile, not through LDAP or SSL decryption.
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
✓
Authentication profile referencing the SAML IdP profile
SAML authentication for GlobalProtect requires an authentication profile that references a SAML identity provider (IdP) profile. The firewall uses this profile to redirect users to Azure AD for SAML-based MFA, then validates the SAML assertion returned. Without this profile, the firewall cannot initiate or complete the SAML exchange.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
LDAP server profile for user lookup
Why it's wrong here
SAML handles user identity via the IdP, not LDAP.
- ✗
Server certificate for the portal
Why it's wrong here
A certificate is needed for SSL, but not specifically for SAML.
- ✓
Authentication profile referencing the SAML IdP profile
Why this is correct
The authentication profile defines the method (SAML) and must include the IdP profile.
- ✗
SSL decryption rule
Why it's wrong here
SSL decryption is not required for SAML authentication.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCNSE 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 PCNSE exam.