PCNSE Securing Traffic and App-ID Practice Question
An engineer is configuring App-ID for a network that uses both standard and custom applications. Which of the following are best practices for using App-ID effectively? (Choose three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates think disabling App-ID on well-known ports reduces overhead (Option D), but App-ID is designed to identify applications irrespective of port, and disabling it creates a security gap that attackers can exploit via port hopping.
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
✓
Use application filters to create dynamic application groups based on characteristics.
Application filters allow you to dynamically group applications based on shared characteristics (e.g., risk, category, technology), which simplifies policy management as new applications matching those criteria are automatically included without manual updates. This is a best practice for scaling App-ID in environments with both standard and custom applications.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Rely solely on default application signatures for all traffic identification.
Why it's wrong here
Custom applications may not be identified, so custom signatures are often needed.
- ✓
Use application filters to create dynamic application groups based on characteristics.
Why this is correct
Correct: Filters allow grouping by attributes without manual updates.
- ✓
Use application groups to simplify policy management for related applications.
Why this is correct
Correct: Groups help organize and manage policies more efficiently.
- ✗
Disable App-ID for traffic on well-known ports to reduce processing overhead.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling App-ID reduces visibility and security; it's not a best practice.
- ✓
Regularly update Application and Threats content to keep signatures current.
Why this is correct
Correct: Updates ensure the firewall can identify latest applications and threats.
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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.