PCNSE Practice Question: Securing Users and Applications with Authentication
An organization uses Microsoft Active Directory for User-ID mapping. Some users are not being mapped because their IP addresses change frequently due to DHCP. Which approach should be implemented to ensure these users are identified?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume increasing the timeout (Option A) is sufficient, but they overlook that DHCP changes cause the mapping to become stale, and only active authentication (Option D) ensures real-time mapping updates.
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
✓
Configure an Authentication Policy to enforce user authentication for their traffic
An Authentication Policy enforces user authentication for traffic, which triggers the firewall to learn the user-to-IP mapping in real time via authentication logs. This approach works regardless of DHCP changes, as each new IP address is immediately associated with the authenticated user. It is the most reliable method for environments with dynamic IP assignments.
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 IP-to-user mapping timeout
Why it's wrong here
This may delay unmapping but does not map new IPs.
- ✗
Use GlobalProtect with pre-logon token
Why it's wrong here
Pre-logon is for machine authentication, not user mapping.
- ✗
Deploy a User-ID agent with WMI probing
Why it's wrong here
WMI probing may not update fast enough for frequent IP changes.
- ✓
Configure an Authentication Policy to enforce user authentication for their traffic
Why this is correct
When users authenticate, the firewall maps their current IP to the user.
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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.