Quick Answer
The answer is the Traffic log and the System log. The Traffic log is essential because it displays whether each session was decrypted or bypassed, indicated by a “Decrypted” flag, and provides SSL/TLS handshake details that confirm policy application. The System log captures critical decryption-related events like certificate validation failures, handshake errors, and unsupported cipher suites, which are vital for diagnosing why decryption fails. On the PCNSA exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between logs that show policy results (Traffic) versus logs that reveal underlying errors (System). A common trap is choosing the URL Filtering log, which shows categories but not decryption status, or the Threat log, which focuses on malware rather than handshake issues. Remember the mnemonic: “Traffic shows the result, System shows the fault.”
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.
Which TWO logs are most useful for troubleshooting SSL decryption issues? (Select exactly two.)
GlobalProtect log
Why wrong: GlobalProtect logs are for VPN client connections.
System log
System logs include certificate validation errors and profile changes.
Threat log
Why wrong: Threat logs record security events, not decryption failures.
Traffic log
Traffic logs show decryption status and failure reasons per session.
URL Filtering log
Why wrong: URL Filtering logs show website categories, not decryption issues.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
System log
The System log (B) records decryption-related events, such as certificate validation failures, handshake errors, and unsupported cipher suites, which are critical for diagnosing SSL decryption issues. The Traffic log (D) shows whether traffic was decrypted or bypassed, including the 'Decrypted' flag and details about the SSL/TLS handshake, allowing you to verify decryption policy application.
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.
GlobalProtect log
Why it's wrong here
GlobalProtect logs are for VPN client connections.
System log
Why this is correct
System logs include certificate validation errors and profile changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Threat log
Why it's wrong here
Threat logs record security events, not decryption failures.
Traffic log
Why this is correct
Traffic logs show decryption status and failure reasons per session.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
URL Filtering log
Why it's wrong here
URL Filtering logs show website categories, not decryption issues.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the Threat log (which shows post-decryption threats) with logs that diagnose the decryption process itself, or mistakenly think GlobalProtect logs are relevant because SSL decryption is sometimes used in VPN environments.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
URL Filtering logs show website categories, not decryption issues.
Detailed technical explanation
When SSL decryption fails, the firewall may generate a 'decryption-mismatch' or 'certificate-validation-failure' event in the System log, often with error codes like 'SSL_ERROR_BAD_CERT_DOMAIN'. The Traffic log includes fields such as 'Action Source' (e.g., 'decrypt') and 'Tunneled' status, which help confirm whether decryption was applied. In a real-world scenario, a misconfigured forward trust certificate can cause browser warnings, and the System log will show 'Certificate not trusted' errors, while the Traffic log will show the session as 'no-decrypt' or 'bypass'.
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
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FAQ
Decryption and Monitoring — This question tests Decryption and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: System log — The System log (B) records decryption-related events, such as certificate validation failures, handshake errors, and unsupported cipher suites, which are critical for diagnosing SSL decryption issues. The Traffic log (D) shows whether traffic was decrypted or bypassed, including the 'Decrypted' flag and details about the SSL/TLS handshake, allowing you to verify decryption policy application.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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