- A
Create a Security policy rule that allows traffic from any source to the web server on destination ports 80 and 443.
This permits HTTP and HTTPS traffic.
- B
Configure an SSL Forward Proxy decryption policy to decrypt HTTPS traffic.
Why wrong: Decryption is not required for threat inspection on standard ports; the firewall can inspect without decryption.
- C
Create a Security policy rule that allows all traffic to the web server and relies on Application ID to filter.
Why wrong: Allowing all traffic would permit non-HTTP/HTTPS protocols.
- D
Create a Security policy rule that blocks all traffic not matching the web-browsing and ssl applications.
Why wrong: This would block the intended traffic as well.
- E
Attach a Vulnerability Protection profile to the Security policy rule.
This inspects traffic for threats.
PCNSA Core Concepts Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of core concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security engineer is configuring a Palo Alto Networks firewall to protect a web server. The engineer wants to ensure that only HTTP and HTTPS traffic is allowed to the server, and that the traffic is inspected for threats. Which TWO actions should the engineer take?
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 Security policy rule that allows traffic from any source to the web server on destination ports 80 and 443.
Option A is correct because a Security policy rule explicitly allowing traffic to destination ports 80 and 443 ensures only HTTP and HTTPS traffic reaches the web server, aligning with the requirement to restrict allowed traffic. This rule uses port-based matching to permit only the specified services, which is a foundational step in controlling access.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 Security policy rule that allows traffic from any source to the web server on destination ports 80 and 443.
Why this is correct
This permits HTTP and HTTPS traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure an SSL Forward Proxy decryption policy to decrypt HTTPS traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Decryption is not required for threat inspection on standard ports; the firewall can inspect without decryption.
- ✗
Create a Security policy rule that allows all traffic to the web server and relies on Application ID to filter.
Why it's wrong here
Allowing all traffic would permit non-HTTP/HTTPS protocols.
- ✗
Create a Security policy rule that blocks all traffic not matching the web-browsing and ssl applications.
Why it's wrong here
This would block the intended traffic as well.
- ✓
Attach a Vulnerability Protection profile to the Security policy rule.
Why this is correct
This inspects traffic for threats.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse decryption policies (Option B) with security policies, or think that blocking all non-matching traffic (Option D) is sufficient without an explicit allow rule, but the PCNSA emphasizes that explicit allow rules are required for permitted traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, Security policy rules are evaluated in order, and the first match determines the action; an explicit allow rule for ports 80 and 443 ensures that HTTP and HTTPS traffic is permitted before any broader deny rules. Attaching a Vulnerability Protection profile (Option E) enables the firewall to inspect allowed traffic for known exploits, such as SQL injection or buffer overflows, using signatures from the Threat Prevention subscription. This combination of explicit allow and threat inspection is a best practice for securing web servers in a zero-trust model.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSA question test?
Core Concepts — This question tests Core Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Security policy rule that allows traffic from any source to the web server on destination ports 80 and 443. — Option A is correct because a Security policy rule explicitly allowing traffic to destination ports 80 and 443 ensures only HTTP and HTTPS traffic reaches the web server, aligning with the requirement to restrict allowed traffic. This rule uses port-based matching to permit only the specified services, which is a foundational step in controlling access.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This PCNSA 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 PCNSA exam.
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