PCNSE Practice Question: Securing Users and Applications with Authentication
An administrator is configuring authentication for a captive portal. Which two configuration steps are necessary? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse the need for User-ID (option A) or a pre-authentication security policy (option B) with the actual requirements for captive portal, when in fact the authentication policy and captive portal profile with an external server are the two mandatory steps.
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
✓
Create an authentication policy matching the captive portal traffic.
An authentication policy must be created to match the captive portal traffic and trigger authentication. This policy defines which traffic requires authentication and specifies the authentication profile to use. Without it, the firewall will not know to intercept the user's HTTP request and redirect them to the captive portal login page.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable user-ID on the interface where users connect.
Why it's wrong here
User-ID is not required for captive portal to prompt authentication; it is used for mapping identities.
- ✗
Configure a security policy to allow the captive portal traffic before authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Security policy is for allowing traffic after authentication; the captive portal itself is triggered before security policy.
- ✓
Create an authentication policy matching the captive portal traffic.
Why this is correct
The authentication policy triggers the captive portal for matching traffic.
- ✓
Configure a captive portal profile with an external authentication server.
Why this is correct
The captive portal profile defines how authentication is performed, including the server.
- ✗
Import the captive portal certificate.
Why it's wrong here
Certificates are optional for captive portal if using HTTP; HTTPS requires a certificate but is not a required step.
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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.