Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) Practice Exam

Which feature can mitigate or block malicious behavior and is considered a proactive control?

1. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

2. Behavioral Analysis

3. DNS Sinkholing

4. Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

The correct answer is: Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)

The Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is a feature designed specifically to identify and block potentially malicious activity in real-time, making it a highly effective proactive control mechanism. An IPS monitors network traffic and takes immediate action—such as dropping malicious packets, blocking offending IP addresses, or resetting connections—before harmful effects can materialize. This proactive stance helps prevent cyberattacks and network intrusions, effectively mitigating risks before they can impact the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of systems. In contrast, while behavioral analysis can help identify unusual activity, it may not always block threats but rather provides insights into potential risks based on trends and anomalies. DNS sinkholing is effective at redirecting traffic from malicious domains to harmless ones, but it primarily reacts after the request has been made. An Intrusion Detection System (IDS), on the other hand, focuses on identifying and alerting to intrusions without taking action to prevent them, thus falling short of proactive measures. Therefore, the IPS stands out as the feature explicitly aimed at actively preventing malicious behavior.