PCNSA Sample Questions for Palo Alto Network Security Certification

Prepare confidently for the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) exam with this collection of expert-level sample questions and realistic practice tests. Covering key topics like firewall configurations, security policies, network traffic monitoring, and user-ID implementation, these PCNSA sample questions reflect the actual exam format. Whether you are reviewing PCNSA dumps, brushing up with mock exams, or targeting domain-specific concepts, this guide is built to ensure you gain the hands-on knowledge and exam readiness required to become a certified Palo Alto Network Security Administrator.

PCNSA Sample Questions List :

1. Which protocols are implicitly allowed when you select the facebook-base application?

1. gaming

2. All the Above

3. chat

4. web-browsing

2. Which is the default security policy rule action for traffic that is being routed between two different zones?

1. Deny

2. Permit

3. Inspect

4. Allow

3. Which Layer 2 interfaces can be used to switch traffic between VLANs?

1. Layer 2 and 3 interfaces

2. Tap interfaces

3. other subnets

4. other Layer 2 interfaces

4. True or false: Dynamic Admin Roles are called "dynamic" because you can customize them.

1. FALSE

2. TRUE

3. Overall explanation

4. Palo Alto Network Security PCNSA full-length Practice Exam.

5. What are the default (predefined Security policy rule types in PAN-OS software?

1. All the Above

2. Interzone

3. Extrazone

4. Universal

6. By using DHCP you are guaranteeing successful DNS resolution for DHCP clients. True or false?

1. FALSE

2. TRUE

7. Which range of IP addresses are appropriate for interfaces that are part of a virtual wire?

1. No IP addresses are used

2. 192.168.0.0/16

3. 10.0.0.0 /8

4. 172.16.0.0 /12

8. What does the Save Named Configuration Snapshot option do?

1. creates a tentative configuration snapshot that does not overwrite the default snapshot (.snapshot.xml)

2. deletes a candidate configuration snapshot that does not overwrite the default snapshot (.snapshot.xml)

3. creates a candidate configuration snapshot that does not overwrite the default snapshot (.saved.xml)

4. creates a candidate configuration snapshot that does not overwrite the default snapshot (.snapshot.xml)

9. Packet Buffer Protection defends against which type of denial-of-service attack?

1. from a single App-ID source

2. from distributed sessions

3. from a single session

4. from multiple App-ID sources

10. How many zones can an interface belong to at any given time?

1. 1

2. 4

3. 2

4. 3

11. What will be the result of one or more occurrences of shadowing?

1. a failed commit

2. an alarm window

3. an invalid configuration

4. a warning

12. What do Dynamic User Groups help you to do?

1. create a policy that provides auto-remediation for anomalous user behavior and malicious activity

2. create a QoS policy that provides auto-remediation for anomalous user behavior and malicious activity

3. create a dynamic list of firewall administrators

4. create a policy that provides auto-sizing for anomalous user behavior and malicious activity

13. How does a virtual router learn about a directly connected network?

1. BGP

2. L3 interface, associated with the virtual router

3. Static route

4. OSPF

14. What are source NAT types?

1. extrazone

2. universal

3. static

4. All the Above

15. What are types of Security profiles?

1. Antivirus

2. Spyware Filtering

3. Data Filtering

4. File Filtering

16. When using destination NAT, which zones and IP addresses would go into the NAT rule?

1. Source zone outside_zone

2. Destination IP to DMZ host's public IP

3. All the Above

4. Destination zone outside_zone

17. Which actions are required to implement DNS Security inspections of traffic?

1. enabled the Advanced DNS Security check box in General Settings

2. enter the address for the Secure DNS Service in the firewalls DNS settings

3. add an Anti-Spyware Security Profile with DNS remediations to a Security policy

4. All the Above

18. A URL Filtering Profile is part of which type of identification?

1. User-ID

2. App-ID

3. Service

4. Content-ID

19. What are the components of Denial-of-Service Protection?

1. Zone Protection Profile

2. reconnaissance protection

3. All the Above

4. load protection

20. Which are the options for traffic received on a TAP interface?

1. Policy based routing

2. Monitoring

3. Routing

4. NAT

21. The CFO found a malware infected USB drive in the parking lot, which when inserted infected their corporate laptop. The malware contacted a known command- and-control server, which caused the infected laptop to begin exfiltrating corporate data. Which security profile feature could have been used to prevent the communication with the command-and-control server?

1. Create an anti-spyware profile and enable DNS Sinkhole feature. Most Voted

2. Create a Data Filtering Profiles and enable its DNS Sinkhole feature.

3. Create a URL filtering profile and block the DNS Sinkhole URL category

4. Create an antivirus profile and enable its DNS Sinkhole feature.

22. What is an advantage for using application tags?

1. They help with the creation of interfaces.

2. They are helpful during the creation of new zones.

3. They help content updates automate policy updates. Most Voted

4. They help with the design of IP address allocations in DHCP.

23. An administrator is reviewing the security policy configuration and notices that the policy to block traffic to an internal web server uses the reset-both action. What are potential risks associated with the reset-both Security policy action?

1. Sending a reset will consume server resources with half-open sockets.

2. Sending a reset allows the TCP session to send data, which may allow malicious traffic.

3. Sending a reset yields a poor end-user experience.

4. All the Above

24. Which type of Security policy rules most often exist above the two predefined security policies?

1. Interzone

2. Intrazone

3. Global

4. Universal

25. Which statement is true regarding bidirectional NAT?

1. For dynamic translations, bidirectional NAT enables the firewall to create a corresponding translation in the same direction of the translation you configure.

2. For static translations, bidirectional NAT enables the firewall to create a corresponding translation in the opposite direction of the translation you configure.

3. For dynamic translations, bidirectional NAT enables the firewall to create a corresponding translation in the opposite direction of the translation you configure.

4. For static translations, bidirectional NAT enables the firewall to create a corresponding translation in the same direction of the translation you configure.

FAQs

1. What is the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) certification?

The PCNSA certification validates your ability to configure, manage, and monitor Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls to protect networks from threats.

2. How do I become PCNSA certified?

To earn the PCNSA certification, you must pass the PCNSA exam, which tests your understanding of firewall configuration, security policies, and threat prevention.

3. What are the prerequisites for the Palo Alto PCNSA certification exam?

There are no formal prerequisites, but basic knowledge of networking, security fundamentals, and experience with Palo Alto Networks products are highly recommended.

4. How much does the Palo Alto PCNSA certification exam cost?

The PCNSA exam typically costs $155 USD, but pricing may vary by region and currency.

5. What topics are covered in the PCNSA certification exam?

The exam covers firewall configuration, security and NAT policies, App-ID, URL filtering, and user identification concepts.

6. How difficult is the Palo Alto PCNSA exam?

The PCNSA exam is considered moderate in difficulty and is suitable for early-career network or security professionals.

7. How long does it take to prepare for the PCNSA certification exam?

On average, it takes 4–6 weeks of focused study and hands-on practice to prepare effectively for the exam.

8. What is the validity period of the PCNSA certification?

The PCNSA certification is valid for two years from the date of passing the exam.

9. What jobs can I get after completing the Palo Alto Networks PCNSA certification?

You can work as a Network Security Administrator, Firewall Engineer, or Security Analyst in IT and cybersecurity domains.

10. What is the average salary of a PCNSA certified professional?

PCNSA certified professionals earn an average salary between $80,000 and $100,000 per year, depending on experience and region.