- A
The firewall's system log rate is exceeded and logs are dropped.
Why wrong: System log rate limits affect system logs, not security logs.
- B
The rule has logging disabled for the 'deny' action.
Why wrong: Logging can be configured per rule, but the default for deny actions may still log; the issue is often that logging at session start is not enabled.
- C
The rule is not being matched because a previous rule allows the traffic.
Why wrong: If another rule allows the traffic, the session would be allowed, not denied, and logs would appear for that rule.
- D
The rule is configured to log at session end, but the session ends immediately upon denial, so no log is generated.
Denied sessions are not established; they end immediately. Logging at session end does not trigger for sessions that never start. To log denied traffic, enable logging at session start.
Why Deny Rules Don't Create Logs with Session End Logging
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of troubleshoot. 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.
A security policy rule is configured to deny traffic, but no logs are generated when the traffic is denied. Which of the following is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The rule is configured to log at session end, but the session ends immediately upon denial, so no log is generated.
When a security policy rule is configured with a deny action and logging is set to 'log at session end', the firewall will not generate a log entry because the session is denied immediately and never reaches a normal session end. In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, session end logging requires the session to be established and then terminate naturally; a denied session is dropped before any session state is created, so no log is generated. To capture logs for denied traffic, logging must be explicitly enabled at session start or the rule must be configured to log at session start.
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.
- ✗
The firewall's system log rate is exceeded and logs are dropped.
Why it's wrong here
System log rate limits affect system logs, not security logs.
- ✗
The rule has logging disabled for the 'deny' action.
Why it's wrong here
Logging can be configured per rule, but the default for deny actions may still log; the issue is often that logging at session start is not enabled.
- ✗
The rule is not being matched because a previous rule allows the traffic.
Why it's wrong here
If another rule allows the traffic, the session would be allowed, not denied, and logs would appear for that rule.
- ✓
The rule is configured to log at session end, but the session ends immediately upon denial, so no log is generated.
Why this is correct
Denied sessions are not established; they end immediately. Logging at session end does not trigger for sessions that never start. To log denied traffic, enable logging at session start.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
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 assume 'log at session end' will always generate a log for deny actions, not realizing that deny actions never create a session, so the session end event never occurs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, session end logging relies on the session's termination state; for deny actions, the firewall drops the packet and does not create a session entry in the session table, so there is no session to log at end. A common workaround is to configure the rule to log at session start, which generates a log entry immediately upon the deny action. This behavior is documented in the PAN-OS logging configuration, where 'Log at Session End' is only applicable to allow rules that establish a session.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSE question test?
Troubleshoot — This question tests Troubleshoot — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The rule is configured to log at session end, but the session ends immediately upon denial, so no log is generated. — When a security policy rule is configured with a deny action and logging is set to 'log at session end', the firewall will not generate a log entry because the session is denied immediately and never reaches a normal session end. In Palo Alto Networks firewalls, session end logging requires the session to be established and then terminate naturally; a denied session is dropped before any session state is created, so no log is generated. To capture logs for denied traffic, logging must be explicitly enabled at session start or the rule must be configured to log at session start.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCNSE 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 PCNSE exam.
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