In today’s digital landscape, where cyber threats constantly evolve and become more sophisticated, network security has taken center stage in information technology. Organizations across the globe are in a perpetual race to fortify their defences, safeguard their data, and ensure the uninterrupted flow of business operations. In this dynamic landscape, Palo Alto Networks emerges as a beacon of innovation, offering cutting-edge solutions that redefine how we approach network security.
Welcome to our blog, where we embark on a journey into the world of Palo Alto certification, exploring its groundbreaking technologies, strategies, and insights that are reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. Whether you’re an IT professional, a cybersecurity enthusiast, or a business leader concerned about the safety of your digital assets, this blog aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Palo Alto Networks’ offerings, significance, and impact on modern cybersecurity.
Table of Content
- Unveiling Palo Alto Networks
- Navigating the Blog
- Palo Alto Learning Path & Certification Path
- Palo Alto follows the three tracks below.
- Cybersecurity (Network Security) Track
- Cloud Security Track
- Other Track
- Join Us on the Journey
Unveiling Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks is synonymous with innovation and expertise in network security. With a relentless commitment to delivering the most advanced solutions, Palo Alto has revolutionized how organizations protect their networks, applications, and critical data. From its next-generation firewalls to cutting-edge threat prevention technologies, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries to provide holistic security measures that stand up to even the most sophisticated cyber threats.
Navigating the Blog
In this blog series, we will delve deep into various aspects of Palo Alto Networks’ technology stack, explore its certifications, and provide practical insights into how these solutions can be effectively deployed. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from this series:
1. Understanding Palo Alto Solutions: We’ll start by demystifying the core solutions offered by Palo Alto, from their firewalls to advanced threat prevention mechanisms. You’ll gain insights into the features that set these technologies apart and how they work together to create a comprehensive security posture.
2. Certification Spotlight: If you’re aspiring to validate your skills or advance your career in network security, Palo Alto Networks certifications are a recognized benchmark. We’ll examine these certifications, their significance in the industry, and how they can open doors to exciting opportunities.
3. Best Practices and Implementation: Armed with knowledge about Palo Alto solutions, it’s essential to know how to implement them effectively. We’ll provide practical guidance, best practices, and real-world scenarios to help you maximize these powerful tools.
4. Industry Trends and Insights: The cybersecurity landscape is ever-evolving. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, emerging threats, and proactive strategies to secure your network in an increasingly interconnected world.
Palo Alto Learning Path & Certification Path
Earning a Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity certification can provide numerous benefits for individuals looking to establish or advance their careers in the field of cybersecurity. Palo Alto is a well-known cybersecurity company that offers a range of certifications to validate and demonstrate expertise in their products and solutions, giving you the benefits below.
1. Palo Alto Networks certifications validate your skills and knowledge in using their cybersecurity products and solutions.
2. Palo Alto is a well-established and respected cybersecurity company. Holding their certification can make your resume stand out and increase your attractiveness to potential employers in the cybersecurity field.
3. Having a Palo Alto certification can make you more eligible for job openings requiring product expertise.
4. Palo Alto certification can help you advance within your organization. It may qualify you for promotions or responsibilities that involve Palo Alto technologies.
5. Palo Alto certification can contribute to your market value, potentially leading to better compensation packages.
6. Palo Alto Networks certifications help you gain real-world skills in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting their security solutions, which can directly benefit your daily work.
7. Adaptability of security technologies, including network security and cloud security.
8. Regardless of your current skill level, preparing for a Palo Alto certification can help you expand your knowledge and improve your skills in cybersecurity, especially within the context of Palo Alto’s offerings.
9. Palo Alto is a global company with clients and partners worldwide. Holding their certification can be beneficial if you want to work internationally or with multinational organizations.
10. Joining the Palo Alto certified professionals community can provide you with networking opportunities. You can connect with others who share your interests, exchange knowledge, and find mentorship or collaboration opportunities.
11. Preparing for a certification exam involves studying and acquiring in-depth knowledge about Palo Alto technologies. This continuous learning process contributes to professional development and keeps you updated with the latest trends.
If you are a fresher and want to understand Palo Alto Network’s learning path, then the steps below are essential. You will get a glide path for your planning, and the exam details have been shared below with focused information.
Palo Alto follows the three tracks below
Cybersecurity (Network Security) Track
- PCCET (Palo Alto Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician)
- PCCSA (Palo Alto Certified Cybersecurity Associate)
- PCNSA (Palo Alto Certified Network Security Administrator)
- PCNSE (Palo Alto Certified Network Security Engineer)
- PCNSC (Palo Alto Certified Network Security Consultant)
Cloud Security Track
1. PCCSE (Prisma Certified Cloud Security Engineer)
2. PSE-SASE (Palo Alto Networks System Engineer Professional -SASE)
Other Track
1. PSE Strata (Palo Alto System Engineer Professional Strata)
2. PCSAE (Palo Alto Certified Security Automation Engineer)
3. PCDRA (Palo Alto Detection and Remediation Analyst)
Cybersecurity (Network Security) Track
Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET)
The Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) exam aims to develop the candidates’ skills and knowledge, focusing on the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity, including network security, cloud security, and SOC security. The PCCET exam’s main objective is to build and develop a foundational knowledge of industry-recognized cybersecurity and network security concepts among the candidates.
PCCET Exam Details:
1. Exam Time: 80-90 Minutes
2. Format: Multiple Choice
3. Question: 75-85 QS
4. Fee: 165 USD
5. Passing Score: 700
Below are the modules in this exam:
1. Understanding the Fundamentals of Cybersecurity (15%)
2. Overview of Connected Globe (25%)
3. Understanding the concepts of Cloud Technologies (30%)
4. Learning the Elements of Security Operations (30%)
Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (PCCSA)
The PCCSA study is for cybersecurity administrators who want to thoroughly understand the newest trends in network-based cyberattacks and the cutting-edge technology that may be used to prevent them.
PCCSA Exam Details:
1. Time: 60+20 Minutes
2. Format: Multiple choice
3. Question: 50 QS
4. Exam Fee: 100 USD
5. Passing Score: 70% score
Below are the modules in this exam:
1. Cybersecurity Foundation
2. Cybersecurity Gateway
3. Cybersecurity Essentials
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)
Palo Alto Networks is recognized worldwide as a leading provider of cybersecurity products. The Palo Alto Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) recognizes individuals with the knowledge to operate Palo Alto next-generation firewalls to protect networks from cutting-edge cyber threats.
PCNSA Exam Details:
1. Time: 80 minutes
2. Format: Multiple Choice.
3. Question: 50 Qs
4. Fee: 140 USD
5. Passing Score: 70%
Below are the modules in this exam:
1. Device Management and Services
2. Managing Object
3. Policy Evaluation and Management
4. Securing Traffic
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)
The PCNSE certification is essential for network security professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in Palo Alto Networks security solutions. This certification program comprehensively explains Palo Alto Networks firewalls, threat prevention technologies, and network security best practices. Earning the PCNSE certification can enhance career opportunities and increase earning potential.
PCNSE Exam Details:
1. Time: 80 minutes
2. Format: Multiple Choice, Matching the Answers & Scenario-Based Qs.
3. Question: 75 Qs
4. Fee: 160 USD
5. Passing Score: 70%
Below are the modules in this exam:
1. Plan
2. Deploy and Configure
3. Operate
4. Configuration and Troubleshooting
5. Core Concepts
Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Consultant (PCNSC)
The Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Consultant (PCNSC) exam focuses on advanced topics related to network security and Palo Alto Networks technologies.
PCNSC Exam Details:
1. Time: 90-120 minutes
2. Format: Multiple Choice, Matching the Answers & Scenario-Based Qs.
3. Passing Score: 70%
Below are the modules in this exam:
1. Advanced Firewall Configuration
2. Threat Prevention and Advanced Security Measures
3. User Identification and Authentication
4. Advanced VPN Configuration
5. Network Address Translation (NAT) and Port Forwarding
6. Advanced Logging and Reporting
7. Panorama Management
8. High Availability and Redundancy
9. Advanced Threat Analysis with WildFire
10. Integration with Third-Party Solutions
11. Security Best Practices
Cloud Security Track
Prisma Certified Cloud Security Engineer (PCCSE)
The Prisma Certified Cloud Security Engineer (PCCSE) certification certifies that the applicant possesses the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to implement and manage all parts of the Prisma Cloud. Individuals with a PCCSE certification have proven to know about Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud resources and technologies.
PCCSE Exam Details:
1. Exam Time: 75 minutes
2. Format: Multiple Choice, Matching the Answers & Scenario-Based Qs.
3. Question: 75 – 85 QS
4. Fee: 175 USD
Passing Score: 70%-80%
Below are the modules in this exam:
1. Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) -21%
2. Cloud Workload Protection (CWP) -21%
3. Install, Upgrade, and Backup/Prisma Cloud Administration -19%
4. Cloud Network Security and Identity-Based Microsegmentation Enterprise Edition -11%
5. Prisma Cloud Code Security (PCCS)-12%
6. Identity and Access Management (IAM)/Prisma Cloud Data Security (PCDS) – 16%
Palo Alto Networks System Engineer Professional – SASE (PSE-SASE)
The PSE-SASE, or as it’s also known, the Palo Alto Networks System Engineer Professional – SASE, like all tests, there is a bit of freedom on Palo Alto Network’s part to examine an array of subjects. Knowing most PSE-SASE content is required because they test randomly on the many topics available. Also, experience requirements often exist because they’ve observed the average person and what is needed. You can always push past that to succeed with the PSE-SASE, but it may take extra work.
PSE-SASE Exam Details:
1. Time: 120 minutes
2. Question: 70 QS
3. Fee: 175 USD
4. Passing Score: 70%-80%
Below is the topic of this exam:
1. Introduction to SASE
2. SASE Architecture
3. Zero Trust and Micro-Segmentation
4. Remote Access and Mobility
5. Cloud Security and Data Protection
6. Network Security
7. User Identification and Authentication
8. SASE Services Integration
9. Secure SD-WAN
10. Security Operations and Incident Response
11. Best Practices and Implementation
Other Track
Palo Alto Networks System Engineer Professional-Strata (PSE Strata)
The PSE Strata, or as it’s also known, the Palo Alto Networks System Engineer Professional – Strata, like all tests, there is a bit of freedom on Palo Alto Network’s part to exam an array of subjects. Most PSE Strata content is required because they test randomly on the many topics available. Be aware that experience requirements often exist because they’ve observed the average person and what is needed. You can always push past that to succeed with the PSE Strata, but it may take extra work.
PSE Strata Exam Details:
1. Time: 120 minutes
2. Question: 132 QS
3. Fee: 175 USD
4. Passing Score: 70%-80%
Below is the topic of this exam:
1. Introduction to Cybersecurity and Networking
2. Network Security Fundamentals
3. Palo Alto Products and Solutions
4. Palo Alto Operating System (PAN-OS)
5. Security Policies
6. Network Address Translation (NAT) and VPN
7. Basic Threat Prevention
8. URL Filtering and WildFire
9. Logging and Reporting
10. Security Best Practices
Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Automation Engineer (PCSAE)
Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Automation Engineer (PCSAE) certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals in designing and implementing security automation solutions using Palo Alto technologies.
PCSAE Exam Details:
1. Time: 90-120 minutes
2. Question: 156 QS
3. Fee: 175 USD
4. Passing Score: 70%-80%
Below is the topic of this exam:
1. Security automation
2. Scripting
3. API integration
4. Orchestration
5. Palo Alto technologies for automating security tasks and operations.
Palo Alto Detection and Remediation Analyst (PCDRA)
The Palo Alto Networks Detection and Remediation Analyst (PCDRA) certification covers industry-recognized cybersecurity and endpoint security concepts related to detecting and responding to cyber threats using Cortex® XDR™. The certification validates that engineers possess the in-depth skills and knowledge to develop playbooks, manage incidents, create automation and integrations, and demonstrate the highest standard of deployment methodology and operational best practices.
Exam Details:
1. Time: 80 minutes
2. Question: 60-75 Qs
3. Fee: 155 USD
4. Passing Score: 70%-80%
Below is the topic of this exam:
1. Threats and Attacks 10%
2. Prevention and Detection 20%
3. Investigation 20%
4. Remediation 15%
5. Threat Hunting 10%
6. Reporting 10%
7. Architecture 15%
Join Us on the Journey
Whether you’re a seasoned network security professional or just dipping your toes into the cybersecurity waters, this blog series aims to be your trusted companion. Palo Alto Networks is not just a company; it’s a paradigm shift in how we approach network security challenges. So, buckle up as we (591 Lab) embark on this enlightening journey into Palo Alto Networks and uncover the tools and knowledge you need to bolster your organization’s cybersecurity defences. Stay tuned for our upcoming posts, where we dive into the heart of Palo Alto technology and showcase the value it brings to the digital landscape.
