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.
An organization is planning to deploy SSL decryption for outbound traffic. They want to inspect all traffic from internal users to the internet, but they need to exclude traffic to financial sites for compliance reasons. Which approach should be taken?
Why wrong: Disabling decryption entirely would leave all traffic uninspected, which is not the goal.
B
Configure a decryption exception on the firewall system settings.
Why wrong: The firewall does not have a system-level decryption exception; exclusions are policy-based.
C
Create a decryption policy with a custom URL category that includes financial sites and set the action to 'no-decrypt', then place it above the general decrypt rule.
This allows precise exclusion of financial sites while decrypting everything else.
D
Use an application filter to exclude financial apps from decryption.
Why wrong: Application filters may not accurately capture all financial sites, as many use HTTP/HTTPS with various apps.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a decryption policy with a custom URL category that includes financial sites and set the action to 'no-decrypt', then place it above the general decrypt rule.
Option C is correct because creating a decryption policy with a custom URL category for financial sites set to 'no-decrypt' allows exclusion while still decrypting other traffic. Option A is wrong because disabling decryption entirely defeats the purpose. Option B is wrong because an application filter might not cover all financial traffic and could miss some. Option D is wrong because configuring decryption exception on the firewall system settings is not how decryption exclusions are handled; it's done via policy.
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.
✗
Disable SSL decryption for all traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling decryption entirely would leave all traffic uninspected, which is not the goal.
✗
Configure a decryption exception on the firewall system settings.
Why it's wrong here
The firewall does not have a system-level decryption exception; exclusions are policy-based.
✓
Create a decryption policy with a custom URL category that includes financial sites and set the action to 'no-decrypt', then place it above the general decrypt rule.
Why this is correct
This allows precise exclusion of financial sites while decrypting everything else.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use an application filter to exclude financial apps from decryption.
Why it's wrong here
Application filters may not accurately capture all financial sites, as many use HTTP/HTTPS with various apps.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the PCNSA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCNSA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 decryption policy with a custom URL category that includes financial sites and set the action to 'no-decrypt', then place it above the general decrypt rule. — Option C is correct because creating a decryption policy with a custom URL category for financial sites set to 'no-decrypt' allows exclusion while still decrypting other traffic. Option A is wrong because disabling decryption entirely defeats the purpose. Option B is wrong because an application filter might not cover all financial traffic and could miss some. Option D is wrong because configuring decryption exception on the firewall system settings is not how decryption exclusions are handled; it's done via policy.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Identify which PCNSA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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