The answer is to set the rule action to 'allow' and enable 'Log at Session End'. The allow action permits traffic from the corporate network to the internet, fulfilling the primary requirement of connectivity, while logging at session end captures the full session details after the connection completes, ensuring you have a record of the allowed traffic without impacting performance during the session. On the Palo Alto Networks PCNSA exam, this pairing tests your understanding that logging is not automatic with an allow action—you must explicitly enable it, and the common trap is confusing 'Log at Session End' with 'Log at Session Start', which is used for deny rules. Remember the memory tip: "Allow the traffic, log the finish" to recall that allow rules log at session end by default when enabled.
PCNSA Securing Traffic Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of securing traffic. 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.
Which TWO actions can be taken in a security policy rule to allow traffic from the corporate network to the internet while also logging the traffic?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set the rule action to 'allow'.
Option B is correct because setting the rule action to 'allow' permits the traffic from the corporate network to the internet, which is the primary requirement. To also log the traffic, you must enable logging; 'Log at Session End' (Option E) is the standard method to capture session details after the connection completes. Together, these two settings achieve both allowing and logging the traffic.
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.
✗
Set the rule action to 'reset-both'.
Why it's wrong here
Reset-both terminates the session and sends TCP resets.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Set the rule action to 'deny'.
Why it's wrong here
Deny blocks traffic.
✗
Enable 'Log at Session Start' in the rule.
Why it's wrong here
Logging at session start is optional and not required for logging; session end provides standard logging.
✓
Enable 'Log at Session End' in the rule.
Why this is correct
This logs the session after it completes, providing a record of allowed traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'Log at Session Start' with 'Log at Session End', thinking that logging at the start is sufficient for full traffic logging, but in reality, session-end logs provide the complete session metadata needed for security analysis.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, the 'allow' action permits the session to be established and tracked in the session table. 'Log at Session End' generates a log entry that includes byte counts, duration, and application identification after the session closes, which is essential for auditing and reporting. The 'reset-both' action sends TCP RST packets with a sequence number matching the expected next sequence, effectively tearing down the TCP connection from both sides, while 'deny' simply drops the packet without any response, leaving the client to time out.
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Securing Traffic — This question tests Securing Traffic — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set the rule action to 'allow'. — Option B is correct because setting the rule action to 'allow' permits the traffic from the corporate network to the internet, which is the primary requirement. To also log the traffic, you must enable logging; 'Log at Session End' (Option E) is the standard method to capture session details after the connection completes. Together, these two settings achieve both allowing and logging the traffic.
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 →
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.