Cybersecurity-Apprentice Endpoint Security Practice Question
An administrator needs to deploy Cortex XDR agents across a large enterprise using an Active Directory Group Policy Object (GPO). The installation fails on Windows endpoints with an error indicating missing prerequisites. What must be verified first?
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
✓
Ensure the required Windows OS servicing stack updates and Universal C Runtime dependencies are installed on target endpoints.
Cortex XDR agents require specific Windows OS patches (such as Universal C Runtime updates) and proper MSI execution privileges.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Verify that the endpoint BIOS has Secure Boot enabled and TPM 2.0 active.
Why it's wrong here
While good security practice, Secure Boot and TPM are not prerequisites for Cortex XDR MSI execution.
- ✗
Check that the local Administrator account password matches the domain admin password.
Why it's wrong here
GPO computer startup scripts run in the context of the SYSTEM account, not local admin credentials.
- ✓
Ensure the required Windows OS servicing stack updates and Universal C Runtime dependencies are installed on target endpoints.
Why this is correct
Missing OS dependencies will cause the MSI package installation to fail during deployment.
- ✗
Configure the endpoint to use DHCP reservation instead of static IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
IP allocation method does not affect software deployment prerequisites.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Palo Alto Networks exam blueprint
This Cybersecurity-Apprentice 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 Cybersecurity-Apprentice exam.