Quick Answer
The correct answer is Decryption Logs and Traffic Logs, as these two logs are most useful for identifying decryption failures. Traffic Logs record the result of decryption actions, including whether decryption was applied and if it succeeded or failed, with specific error codes, while Decryption Logs capture detailed events like handshake failures, certificate errors, or unsupported cipher suites. On the PCNSA exam, this tests your understanding of how to isolate decryption issues by cross-referencing both log types, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a single log type is insufficient. A common trap is choosing only the Traffic Log, forgetting that Decryption Logs provide the granular error details needed for root cause analysis. Remember the mnemonic “Trouble? Check Traffic first, then Decrypt for details” to pair both logs when troubleshooting decryption failures.
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of decryption and monitoring. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 analyst is troubleshooting a decryption issue. Which TWO logs are most useful for identifying decryption failures? (Choose two.)
Config Logs
Why wrong: Config logs show configuration changes, not failure details.
Traffic Logs
Traffic logs indicate whether a session was decrypted.
System Logs
Why wrong: System logs are not as specific to decryption issues.
Threat Logs
Why wrong: Threat logs show security threats, not decryption failures.
Decryption Logs
Decryption logs provide specific error messages for decryption failures.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Traffic Logs
Traffic Logs (B) are most useful because they record the result of decryption actions, including whether decryption was applied and if it succeeded or failed, with specific error codes. Decryption Logs (E) are dedicated logs that capture detailed decryption events, such as handshake failures, certificate errors, or unsupported cipher suites, making them essential for troubleshooting decryption failures.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Config Logs
Why it's wrong here
Config logs show configuration changes, not failure details.
Traffic Logs
Why this is correct
Traffic logs indicate whether a session was decrypted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
System Logs
Why it's wrong here
System logs are not as specific to decryption issues.
Threat Logs
Why it's wrong here
Threat logs show security threats, not decryption failures.
Decryption Logs
Why this is correct
Decryption logs provide specific error messages for decryption failures.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Palo Alto Networks often tests the distinction between Traffic Logs (which show the outcome) and Decryption Logs (which show the reason), leading candidates to mistakenly choose System Logs or Config Logs because they assume decryption issues are system-wide or configuration-related.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Config logs show configuration changes, not failure details.
Detailed technical explanation
When decryption fails, the firewall generates a specific error code in the Traffic Log (e.g., 'decrypt-fail' or 'no-peer-cert') and logs the reason in the Decryption Log, which includes details like TLS handshake failures, certificate revocation status, or unsupported protocol versions. In a real-world scenario, a mismatch between the firewall's decryption policy and the server's cipher suite (e.g., TLS 1.3 vs. 1.2) would be visible in the Decryption Log but not in other logs.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Decryption and Monitoring — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Decryption and Monitoring practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All PCNSA questions
524 questions across all exam domains
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator PCNSA study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
PCNSA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Managing Objects.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Policy Evaluation and Management.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Securing Traffic.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Core Concepts.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Palo Alto Networks Platforms and Architecture.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Device Management and Services.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to App-ID and Content-ID.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to Decryption and Monitoring.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to PCNSA fundamentals.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to PCNSA scenario.
Practise PCNSA questions linked to PCNSA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Decryption and Monitoring — This question tests Decryption and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Traffic Logs — Traffic Logs (B) are most useful because they record the result of decryption actions, including whether decryption was applied and if it succeeded or failed, with specific error codes. Decryption Logs (E) are dedicated logs that capture detailed decryption events, such as handshake failures, certificate errors, or unsupported cipher suites, making them essential for troubleshooting decryption failures.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.