The answer is deny-ssh, because it has a hit count of zero, indicating it has never matched any traffic. In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, the hit count metric tracks how many times a security rule has been triggered, making it the primary method to identify and remove unused security rules hit count data to streamline the rulebase and improve performance. On the PCNSA exam, this concept tests your ability to audit rule efficiency and recognize that a rule with zero hits is a candidate for deletion, while rules with any positive count—like deny-all with 73 hits—are actively used and should be kept. A common trap is assuming a deny rule at the bottom is unused, but the hit count is the definitive measure, not the rule’s position. Memory tip: zero hits equals zero purpose—if it hasn’t fired, it can be retired.
PCNSA Policy Evaluation and Management Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of policy evaluation and management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
deny-ssh
Option B is correct because rule 'deny-ssh' has 0 hit count, indicating it is not being used. Option A is wrong because deny-all has 73 hits. Option C is wrong because allow-web has many hits. Option D is wrong because allow-dns has many hits.
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.
✗
deny-all
Why it's wrong here
This rule has 73 hits; it is being used.
✗
allow-dns
Why it's wrong here
This rule has 14527 hits; it is used.
✓
deny-ssh
Why this is correct
This rule has 0 hit count; it is unused and candidate for removal.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
allow-web
Why it's wrong here
This rule has 8923 hits; it is heavily used.
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.
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.
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: deny-ssh — Option B is correct because rule 'deny-ssh' has 0 hit count, indicating it is not being used. Option A is wrong because deny-all has 73 hits. Option C is wrong because allow-web has many hits. Option D is wrong because allow-dns has many hits.
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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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
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