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

Which type of application visibility is important for identifying unauthorized traffic?

1. Traffic shaping

2. Application control

3. Security policies

4. Virtual systems

The correct answer is: Application control

Application control is crucial for identifying unauthorized traffic because it provides visibility into the applications being used within a network. By monitoring and managing application traffic, administrators can detect applications that are not permitted according to organizational policies. This visibility allows for the identification of potential risks associated with unauthorized applications, which could include security vulnerabilities or excessive use of bandwidth. Through application control, a firewall can classify traffic based on application signatures rather than solely relying on IP addresses or ports, which makes it much easier to spot unauthorized usage. The capability to enforce policies and control access based on application behavior further enhances network security by ensuring that only approved applications are permitted, thereby reducing the risk of data breaches and malware infections associated with unidentified or rogue applications.