PCNSE Securing Traffic and App-ID Practice Question
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of securing traffic and app-id. 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.
show running security-policy
rule 1 name "Allow-Web"
source any
destination any
application web-browsing
action allow
profile threat
rule 2 name "Block-All"
source any
destination any
application any
action deny
Given the security policy above, what will happen to an HTTP request from a user to a public website?
Refer to the exhibit.
show running security-policy
rule 1 name "Allow-Web"
source any
destination any
application web-browsing
action allow
profile threat
rule 2 name "Block-All"
source any
destination any
application any
action deny
A
It will be allowed but then blocked by the threat profile.
Why wrong: The threat profile may detect and block, but the question does not mention a specific threat. The default behavior is to allow.
B
It will be denied because web-browsing is not identified.
Why wrong: Web-browsing is identified by App-ID for HTTP traffic.
C
It will be denied because rule 2 blocks all.
Why wrong: Rule 2 is evaluated only if rule 1 does not match, but since rule 1 matches, rule 2 is not applied.
D
It will be allowed because rule 1 matches and action is allow.
Correct: Rule 1 matches web-browsing traffic and allows it.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It will be allowed because rule 1 matches and action is allow.
The HTTP traffic will be identified as 'web-browsing' and match rule 1 first. The action is 'allow', so the traffic is permitted. The threat profile inspects but does not block unless a threat is found.
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.
✗
It will be allowed but then blocked by the threat profile.
Why it's wrong here
The threat profile may detect and block, but the question does not mention a specific threat. The default behavior is to allow.
✗
It will be denied because web-browsing is not identified.
Why it's wrong here
Web-browsing is identified by App-ID for HTTP traffic.
✗
It will be denied because rule 2 blocks all.
Why it's wrong here
Rule 2 is evaluated only if rule 1 does not match, but since rule 1 matches, rule 2 is not applied.
✓
It will be allowed because rule 1 matches and action is allow.
Why this is correct
Correct: Rule 1 matches web-browsing traffic and allows it.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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 PCNSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Securing Traffic and App-ID — This question tests Securing Traffic and App-ID — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It will be allowed because rule 1 matches and action is allow. — The HTTP traffic will be identified as 'web-browsing' and match rule 1 first. The action is 'allow', so the traffic is permitted. The threat profile inspects but does not block unless a threat is found.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE 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 PCNSE ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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