Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) Practice Exam

What action does the Palo Alto firewall take first when a virus is detected in a downloaded file?

1. A threat log entry is generated

2. The file download is terminated

3. The client receives a block page

4. The connection is allowed to continue

The correct answer is: A threat log entry is generated

When a Palo Alto firewall detects a virus in a downloaded file, the first action it takes is to generate a threat log entry. This logging action is crucial for tracking and documenting security incidents. It enables network security administrators to analyze the threat, review details about the incident, and take further necessary actions based on the data recorded. Generating a threat log entry provides visibility into the security posture of the network. It includes detailed information about the file that was downloaded, the type of threat detected, and timestamps, which are essential for forensic analysis and compliance purposes. This initial step is important for ensuring that the organization can react appropriately to potential threats and improve its security measures over time. While other actions, such as terminating the file download or providing a block page to the client, may also occur as subsequent actions, the immediate response of logging the threat first reflects the prioritization of data management and security traceability in the context of network security operations.