PCNSE Core Concepts and Architecture Practice Question
An organization is implementing SSL Forward Proxy decryption to inspect outbound HTTPS traffic. They want to exclude traffic to specific internal applications that cannot handle decryption due to certificate pinning. The firewall is configured with a decryption policy that decrypts all traffic from the internal network to the internet. To exclude the pinned applications, which approach is best practice?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the SSL/TLS Service Profile's exception list (used for inbound decryption) with forward proxy decryption, leading them to select Option B, but the exception list does not apply to outbound SSL Forward Proxy policies.
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 a custom URL category for the applications and add it to a decryption policy rule with action 'no-decrypt'.
Creating a custom URL category for the pinned applications and referencing it in a decryption policy rule with action 'no-decrypt' is the best practice for excluding specific traffic from SSL Forward Proxy decryption. This approach allows the firewall to selectively bypass decryption based on the destination URL, which is more granular and manageable than IP-based exceptions, and it aligns with the decryption policy's ability to match traffic by URL category.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a custom URL category for the applications and add it to a decryption policy rule with action 'no-decrypt'.
Why this is correct
A decryption policy rule with 'no-decrypt' action can be used to exclude traffic, and using a custom URL category is a flexible method.
- ✗
Configure an SSL/TLS Service Profile with an exception list for the destination IPs.
Why it's wrong here
Service profiles handle cipher and version settings, not decryption exclusions.
- ✗
Use GlobalProtect client settings to bypass decryption for the pinned applications.
Why it's wrong here
GlobalProtect is for remote access, not decryption exclusions.
- ✗
Reduce the SSL/TLS protocol version on the decryption policy to cause fail-closed for those applications.
Why it's wrong here
This would break connectivity, not exclude decryption.
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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.