The answer is Rule 2 (Allow-Any-Web) because the Palo Alto Networks firewall processes security policies from top to bottom and applies the first match, meaning that once a rule matches the source, destination, and service, evaluation stops. In this scenario, the user from the Sales subnet (10.10.1.50) is making an HTTP request to 203.0.113.50 on port 80, and while Rule 1 might block specific traffic, it does not match this destination, so the firewall continues to Rule 2, which broadly permits any HTTP web traffic. This question tests your understanding of the security policy evaluation order (first match) on the PCNSA exam, a common trap where students mistakenly think a more specific rule will override a general one—but in Palo Alto’s first-match model, the order in the rulebase is absolute. A helpful memory tip: think of the firewall as a bouncer checking a list one by one; the first rule that says “yes” lets you in, and no later rule gets a chance to say “no.”
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
admin@PA-5020> show running security-policy
Set application-default
rule id name from to source destination application service action
--- --- --------------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -------
1 Allow-Sales-to-App Sales App-Servers 10.10.1.0/24 10.20.1.100 any tcp/80 allow
2 Allow-Any-Web any any any any web-browsing tcp/80 allow
3 Block-Restricted-Apps any any any any bittorrent any deny
4 Allow-DNS any any any any dns udp/53 allow
Refer to the exhibit. A user on the Sales subnet (10.10.1.50) attempts to browse to an external website using HTTP (port 80) to download a legitimate file. The website's IP is 203.0.113.50. Which rule will match this traffic?
Refer to the exhibit.
admin@PA-5020> show running security-policy
Set application-default
rule id name from to source destination application service action
--- --- --------------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- -------
1 Allow-Sales-to-App Sales App-Servers 10.10.1.0/24 10.20.1.100 any tcp/80 allow
2 Allow-Any-Web any any any any web-browsing tcp/80 allow
3 Block-Restricted-Apps any any any any bittorrent any deny
4 Allow-DNS any any any any dns udp/53 allow
A
Rule 4 (Allow-DNS)
Why wrong: Rule 4 matches DNS traffic on udp/53, not HTTP on tcp/80.
B
Rule 3 (Block-Restricted-Apps)
Why wrong: Rule 3 denies bittorrent, which is not the application used.
C
Rule 2 (Allow-Any-Web)
Rule 2 matches any source and destination, with application web-browsing and service tcp/80, so it matches this HTTP traffic.
D
Rule 1 (Allow-Sales-to-App)
Why wrong: Rule 1's destination is 10.20.1.100, not the external IP 203.0.113.50, so it does not match.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rule 2 (Allow-Any-Web)
Rule 2 (Allow-Any-Web) is correct because it is a broad rule that permits HTTP (port 80) traffic from any source to any destination, which matches the user's attempt to browse to an external website. The traffic originates from the Sales subnet (10.10.1.50) and targets IP 203.0.113.50 on port 80, and since no more specific rule (like Rule 1) matches the destination, Rule 2 applies as the first general web access rule.
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.
✗
Rule 4 (Allow-DNS)
Why it's wrong here
Rule 4 matches DNS traffic on udp/53, not HTTP on tcp/80.
✗
Rule 3 (Block-Restricted-Apps)
Why it's wrong here
Rule 3 denies bittorrent, which is not the application used.
✓
Rule 2 (Allow-Any-Web)
Why this is correct
Rule 2 matches any source and destination, with application web-browsing and service tcp/80, so it matches this HTTP traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Rule 1 (Allow-Sales-to-App)
Why it's wrong here
Rule 1's destination is 10.20.1.100, not the external IP 203.0.113.50, so it does not match.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Palo Alto Networks often tests the first-match rule evaluation order, where candidates mistakenly think a more specific source rule (like Rule 1 for Sales) will always match, but they overlook that the destination must also match, causing them to pick the wrong rule.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, rules are evaluated in order from top to bottom, and the first matching rule is applied (first-match logic). Rule 2 (Allow-Any-Web) typically includes HTTP and HTTPS services (ports 80 and 443) and is placed after more specific rules to catch general web traffic. A common subtlety is that if Rule 1 (Allow-Sales-to-App) had a broader destination (e.g., 'any'), it could match, but here it is limited to a specific app, so Rule 2 takes precedence for general web access.
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.
Policy Evaluation and Management — This question tests Policy Evaluation and Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Rule 2 (Allow-Any-Web) — Rule 2 (Allow-Any-Web) is correct because it is a broad rule that permits HTTP (port 80) traffic from any source to any destination, which matches the user's attempt to browse to an external website. The traffic originates from the Sales subnet (10.10.1.50) and targets IP 203.0.113.50 on port 80, and since no more specific rule (like Rule 1) matches the destination, Rule 2 applies as the first general web access rule.
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.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Refer to the exhibit. An internal DNS server in the trust zone communicates with an external DNS server in the untrust zone. Which rule will match the DNS traffic?
easy
A.No rule will match
B.rule 3 (deny-all)
✓ C.rule 2 (allow-dns)
D.rule 1 (allow-http)
Why C: Option B is correct because rule 2 specifically allows DNS application from trust to untrust. Option A is wrong because rule 1 allows web-browsing, not DNS. Option C is wrong because deny-all would match only if no prior rule matches. Option D is wrong because rule 2 explicitly matches DNS.
Variation 2. Refer to the exhibit. Traffic from Sales zone to Finance zone reaches destination 10.10.10.10 using application 'ssl'. What action does the firewall take?
hard
A.The firewall will continue to the next rule
B.Allow
✓ C.Deny
D.Allow only if no security profile blocks it
Why C: Option A is correct because the first rule only matches 'ms-office365' application; 'ssl' does not match, so it goes to the second rule which denies any application. Option B is wrong because the first rule does not allow ssl. Option C is wrong because the deny rule will block it. Option D is wrong because the firewall does not need more rules; it has a deny all rule.
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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.
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.