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

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Prepare for the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your confidence and readiness!

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When configuring security policies, what is a critical action to avoid service interruptions?

  1. Clear all previous policies

  2. Keep policies as open as possible

  3. Regularly back up the configuration

  4. Apply policy changes in a maintenance window

The correct answer is: Apply policy changes in a maintenance window

Applying policy changes during a maintenance window is crucial to avoid service interruptions because it ensures that changes are implemented when network usage is low, minimizing the risk of disrupting live services. Implementing significant changes to security policies can impact traffic flow, user access, and overall network performance. By scheduling these changes during a designated maintenance window, administrators can closely monitor the network for unforeseen issues and quickly revert changes if necessary, reducing the chance of unintended downtime. In contrast to this approach, clearing all previous policies may lead to gaps in security and access control, while keeping policies overly open can expose the network to unnecessary risks. Regularly backing up the configuration is essential for recovery but does not inherently prevent service interruptions when changes are made. Therefore, executing policy changes during a maintenance window is the most effective strategy to maintain service reliability.