PCNSE Securing Traffic and App-ID Practice Question
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of securing traffic and app-id. 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.
Which TWO factors can cause traffic to be classified as 'incomplete' by App-ID? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SSL decryption is not enabled for the session.
Options A and D are correct. Option A: Asymmetric routing can cause incomplete because the firewall may only see half the session. Option D: SSL decryption not enabled for encrypted traffic prevents full inspection of the payload. Option B is wrong because policy configuration does not affect classification. Option C is wrong because slow processing does not cause incomplete; it may cause packet drops but not incomplete. Option E is wrong because content-ID is separate and not directly causing incomplete.
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.
✓
SSL decryption is not enabled for the session.
Why this is correct
Encrypted payload cannot be inspected for application identification.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The firewall CPU is too slow to process packets.
Why it's wrong here
Processing delay may cause drops, not incomplete classification.
✗
The content-ID engine has not been licensed.
Why it's wrong here
Content-ID is for threat prevention, not App-ID.
✓
Asymmetric routing where the firewall sees only one direction of traffic.
Why this is correct
Can prevent complete reassembly of session.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
A deny rule that blocks the traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Deny would drop traffic, not classify as incomplete.
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: SSL decryption is not enabled for the session. — Options A and D are correct. Option A: Asymmetric routing can cause incomplete because the firewall may only see half the session. Option D: SSL decryption not enabled for encrypted traffic prevents full inspection of the payload. Option B is wrong because policy configuration does not affect classification. Option C is wrong because slow processing does not cause incomplete; it may cause packet drops but not incomplete. Option E is wrong because content-ID is separate and not directly causing incomplete.
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.
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 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.
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.