- A
Change the allow rule's application to include only HTTP and HTTPS.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Facebook and YouTube use HTTPS, so they would still be allowed.
- B
Use URL filtering to block the social networking and streaming media categories.
Correct. URL filtering by category allows general web browsing while blocking specific types of sites like social media and video streaming.
- C
Add a custom application filter to block social media applications.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Application filters can block specific apps, but this requires maintaining a list; URL filtering is more straightforward for categories.
- D
Change the deny rule to block social media applications.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Denying social media apps would only work if they are identified as separate apps; many use web-browsing app-id.
PCNSA Policy Evaluation and Management Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of policy evaluation and management. 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 network administrator is tasked with implementing a policy that allows traffic from the 'Sales' zone to the 'Internet' zone only for web-browsing (application: web-browsing) and blocks all other traffic. The administrator creates a rule at the top of the security policy with source zone Sales, destination zone Internet, application web-browsing, action allow. Below that, a rule with source zone Sales, destination zone Internet, application any, action deny. After committing, users in Sales can browse the web normally. However, the administrator discovers that some users are able to use applications like YouTube and Facebook which use web-browsing as part of their app-id. The administrator wants to ensure that only HTTP/HTTPS traffic for general web browsing is allowed, not other web-based applications. What should the administrator do?
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
Use URL filtering to block the social networking and streaming media categories.
Using URL filtering to block social media categories is effective and does not interfere with general web browsing. Changing the allow rule's application to HTTP/HTTPS would still allow Facebook and YouTube because they use HTTPS. Custom application filters or deny rules are less precise or affect allowed traffic.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Change the allow rule's application to include only HTTP and HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Facebook and YouTube use HTTPS, so they would still be allowed.
- ✓
Use URL filtering to block the social networking and streaming media categories.
Why this is correct
Correct. URL filtering by category allows general web browsing while blocking specific types of sites like social media and video streaming.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Add a custom application filter to block social media applications.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Application filters can block specific apps, but this requires maintaining a list; URL filtering is more straightforward for categories.
- ✗
Change the deny rule to block social media applications.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Denying social media apps would only work if they are identified as separate apps; many use web-browsing app-id.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCNSA ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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Policy Evaluation and Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSA question test?
Policy Evaluation and Management — This question tests Policy Evaluation and Management — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use URL filtering to block the social networking and streaming media categories. — Using URL filtering to block social media categories is effective and does not interfere with general web browsing. Changing the allow rule's application to HTTP/HTTPS would still allow Facebook and YouTube because they use HTTPS. Custom application filters or deny rules are less precise or affect allowed traffic.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related PCNSA ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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