Cybersecurity-Practitioner Cybersecurity Fundamentals Practice Question
An enterprise is conducting a threat modeling exercise and evaluating risks associated with encrypted traffic. Which THREE security challenges are introduced when SSL/TLS encryption is enabled without decryption policies on the firewall? (Choose three)
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
✓
Data exfiltration of sensitive source code or credit cards over encrypted HTTPS sessions goes undetected by Data Filtering profiles
Without SSL decryption, the firewall cannot inspect payloads, leading to hidden malware, undetected data exfiltration, and blind spots in threat signatures.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Data exfiltration of sensitive source code or credit cards over encrypted HTTPS sessions goes undetected by Data Filtering profiles
Why this is correct
Correct. Data filtering cannot inspect encrypted text payloads.
- ✓
Command and control (C2) callback traffic disguised as standard HTTPS web traffic evades Anti-Spyware detection
Why this is correct
Correct. C2 traffic wrapped in SSL/TLS remains invisible to signature inspection without decryption.
- ✗
App-ID fails entirely to identify any encrypted applications
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. App-ID uses SSL handshake characteristics (SNI, certificates) to identify applications even without full decryption.
- ✓
Malware and trojans hidden inside HTTPS streams bypass Antivirus and WildFire inspection
Why this is correct
Correct. Encrypted payloads cannot be inspected for malware signatures without decryption.
- ✗
The firewall is unable to forward Layer 3 IP packets across static routes
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Layer 3 IP routing functions normally regardless of payload encryption.
About these practice questions
This Cybersecurity-Practitioner question is part of Courseiva's 206-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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-Practitioner 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-Practitioner exam.