PCNSE Practice Question: Securing Users and Applications with Authentication
A large enterprise uses GlobalProtect with SAML authentication integrated with Azure AD for remote access. Users on laptops report intermittent authentication failures when moving between different office locations or switching wireless access points. The firewall clusters are geographically distributed and connected via MPLS. The authentication policy is configured correctly and the SAML identity provider is reachable. What should the administrator check first to resolve the issue?
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
✓
Enable persistent cookie for GlobalProtect authentication to maintain session continuity.
Persistent cookies maintain the SAML session across IP changes, which is common when users roam between networks. Option A might help but is not a direct solution for IP changes. Option B is unrelated. Option D does not affect SAML authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the SAML session timeout on the identity provider to 24 hours.
Why it's wrong here
Longer timeout does not address the issue of IP address changes causing session invalidation.
- ✗
Configure authentication caching at the firewall to store user credentials.
Why it's wrong here
Authentication caching is not applicable for SAML-based GlobalProtect; it is used for other authentication methods.
- ✓
Enable persistent cookie for GlobalProtect authentication to maintain session continuity.
Why this is correct
Persistent cookies allow the firewall to recognize the user even after IP changes, preventing re-authentication.
- ✗
Verify that the client certificate is not expiring and is properly installed.
Why it's wrong here
Client certificates are not used in standard SAML authentication for GlobalProtect.
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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.