The answer is to enable 'allow expired certificates' in the SSL decryption profile. This is correct because when a server presents an expired certificate, the firewall’s default behavior is to abort the SSL handshake and log a decryption failure, as seen in the exhibit. By enabling this setting, the firewall bypasses the certificate expiration check and continues to decrypt the HTTPS session, allowing inspection of the traffic despite the expired certificate. On the PCNSA exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SSL decryption profile settings and how certificate validation errors cause decryption failures. A common trap is to assume the issue lies with the client certificate or a cipher mismatch, but the log specifically flags an expired server certificate. Remember the memory tip: "Expired server? Allow it to decrypt it."
PCNSA Decryption and Monitoring Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of decryption and monitoring. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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
admin@PA-220> show logging system | match ssl
2023-06-15 10:23:45 severity=warning msg="SSL decryption: certificate validation failed for session 12345, server certificate expired"
2023-06-15 10:24:01 severity=info msg="SSL decryption: session 12346 decrypted successfully"
2023-06-15 10:24:15 severity=warning msg="SSL decryption: session 12347 failed, unsupported protocol version"
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator notices that some HTTPS sessions are not being decrypted. Which configuration change would address the most common cause of decryption failures shown?
admin@PA-220> show logging system | match ssl
2023-06-15 10:23:45 severity=warning msg="SSL decryption: certificate validation failed for session 12345, server certificate expired"
2023-06-15 10:24:01 severity=info msg="SSL decryption: session 12346 decrypted successfully"
2023-06-15 10:24:15 severity=warning msg="SSL decryption: session 12347 failed, unsupported protocol version"
A
Enable 'allow expired certificates' in the SSL decryption profile.
The warning indicates an expired server certificate. Enabling 'allow expired certificates' will permit decryption even if the server certificate is expired.
B
Configure a forward trust certificate that is valid and trusted.
Why wrong: The log shows certificate validation failure due to expired server certificate, not forward trust certificate.
C
Increase the session timeout for decryption.
Why wrong: Session timeout does not affect certificate validation.
D
Enable support for SSLv3 in the decryption profile.
Why wrong: SSLv3 is outdated and insecure; unsupported protocol version is only one failure.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable 'allow expired certificates' in the SSL decryption profile.
The log shows a warning about an expired server certificate causing decryption failure. By enabling 'allow expired certificates' in the decryption profile, the firewall will continue to decrypt traffic even if the server certificate is expired.
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.
✓
Enable 'allow expired certificates' in the SSL decryption profile.
Why this is correct
The warning indicates an expired server certificate. Enabling 'allow expired certificates' will permit decryption even if the server certificate is expired.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure a forward trust certificate that is valid and trusted.
Why it's wrong here
The log shows certificate validation failure due to expired server certificate, not forward trust certificate.
✗
Increase the session timeout for decryption.
Why it's wrong here
Session timeout does not affect certificate validation.
✗
Enable support for SSLv3 in the decryption profile.
Why it's wrong here
SSLv3 is outdated and insecure; unsupported protocol version is only one failure.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The log shows certificate validation failure due to expired server certificate, not forward trust certificate.
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.
Decryption and Monitoring — This question tests Decryption and Monitoring — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable 'allow expired certificates' in the SSL decryption profile. — The log shows a warning about an expired server certificate causing decryption failure. By enabling 'allow expired certificates' in the decryption profile, the firewall will continue to decrypt traffic even if the server certificate is expired.
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.
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 →
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.