Which two compliance frameworks are included with the Premium version of Strata Cloud Manager (SCM)? (Choose two)
Payment Card Industry (PCI)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Center for Internet Security (CIS)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Step 1: Understanding Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) Premium
Strata Cloud Manager is a unified management interface for Strata NGFWs, Prisma Access, and other Palo Alto Networks solutions. ThePremium version(subscription-based) includes advanced features like:
AIOps Premium: Predictive analytics, capacity planning, and compliance reporting.
Compliance Posture Management: Pre-built dashboards and reports for specific regulatory frameworks.
Compliance frameworks in SCM Premium provide visibility into adherence to standards like PCI DSS and NIST, generating actionable insights and audit-ready reports based on firewall configurations, logs, and traffic data.
A customer claims that Advanced WildFire miscategorized a file as malicious and wants proof, because another vendor has said that the file is benign.
How could the systems engineer assure the customer that Advanced WildFire was accurate?
Review the threat logs for information to provide to the customer.
Use the WildFire Analysis Report in the log to show the customer the malicious actions the file took when it was detonated.
Open a TAG ticket for the customer and allow support engineers to determine the appropriate action.
Do nothing because the customer will realize Advanced WildFire is right.
Advanced WildFire is Palo Alto Networks' cloud-based malware analysis and prevention solution. It determines whether files are malicious by executing them in a sandbox environment and observing their behavior. To address the customer's concern about the file categorization, the systems engineer must provide evidence of the file's behavior. Here’s the analysis of each option:
Option A: Review the threat logs for information to provide to the customer
Threat logs can provide a summary of events and verdicts for malicious files, but they do not include the detailed behavior analysis needed to convince the customer.
While reviewing the logs is helpful as a preliminary step, it does not provide the level of proof the customer needs.
This option is not sufficient on its own.
Option B: Use the WildFire Analysis Report in the log to show the customer the malicious actions the file took when it was detonated
WildFire generates an analysis report that includes details about the file's behavior during detonation in the sandbox, such as network activity, file modifications, process executions, and any indicators of compromise (IoCs).
This report provides concrete evidence to demonstrate why the file was flagged as malicious. It is the most accurate way to assure the customer that WildFire's decision was based on observed malicious actions.
This is the best option.
Option C: Open a TAG ticket for the customer and allow support engineers to determine the appropriate action
While opening a support ticket is a valid action for further analysis or appeal, it isnot a direct way to assure the customer of the current WildFire verdict.
This option does not directly address the customer’s request for immediate proof.
This option is not ideal.
Option D: Do nothing because the customer will realize Advanced WildFire is right
This approach is dismissive of the customer's concerns and does not provide any evidence to support WildFire's decision.
This option is inappropriate.
References:
Palo Alto Networks documentation on WildFire
WildFire Analysis Reports
A large global company plans to acquire 500 NGFWs to replace its legacy firewalls and has a specific requirement for centralized logging and reporting capabilities.
What should a systems engineer recommend?
Combine Panorama for firewall management with Palo Alto Networks' cloud-based Strata Logging Service to offer scalability for the company's logging and reporting infrastructure.
Use Panorama for firewall management and to transfer logs from the 500 firewalls directly to a third-party SIEM for centralized logging and reporting.
Highlight the efficiency of PAN-OS, which employs AI to automatically extract critical logs and generate daily executive reports, and confirm that the purchase of 500 NGFWs is sufficient.
Deploy a pair of M-1000 log collectors in the customer data center, and route logs from all 500 firewalls to the log collectors for centralized logging and reporting.
A large deployment of 500 firewalls requires a scalable, centralized logging and reporting infrastructure. Here's the analysis of each option:
Option A: Combine Panorama for firewall management with Palo Alto Networks' cloud-based Strata Logging Service to offer scalability for the company's logging and reporting infrastructure
TheStrata Logging Service(or Cortex Data Lake) is a cloud-based solution that offers massive scalability for logging and reporting. Combined with Panorama, it allows for centralized log collection, analysis, and policy management without the need for extensive on-premises infrastructure.
This approach is ideal for large-scale environments like the one described in the scenario, as it ensures cost-effectiveness and scalability.
This is the correct recommendation.
Option B: Use Panorama for firewall management and to transfer logs from the 500 firewalls directly to a third-party SIEM for centralized logging and reporting
While third-party SIEM solutions can be integrated with Palo Alto Networks NGFWs, directly transferring logs from 500 firewalls to a SIEM can lead to bottlenecks and scalability issues. Furthermore, relying on third-party solutions may not provide the same level of native integration as the Strata Logging Service.
This is not the ideal recommendation.
Option C: Highlight the efficiency of PAN-OS, which employs AI to automatically extract critical logs and generate daily executive reports, and confirm that the purchase of 500 NGFWs is sufficient
While PAN-OS provides AI-driven insights and reporting, this option does not address the requirement for centralized logging and reporting. It also dismisses the need for additional infrastructure to handle logs from 500 firewalls.
This is incorrect.
Option D: Deploy a pair of M-1000 log collectors in the customer data center, and route logs from all 500 firewalls to the log collectors for centralized logging and reporting
The M-1000 appliance is an on-premises log collector, but it has limitations in terms of scalability and storage capacity when compared to cloud-based options like the Strata Logging Service. Deploying only two M-1000 log collectors for 500 firewalls would result in potential performance and storage challenges.
This is not the best recommendation.
References:
Palo Alto Networks documentation on Panorama
Strata Logging Service (Cortex Data Lake) overview in Palo Alto Networks Docs
Which two files are used to deploy CN-Series firewalls in Kubernetes clusters? (Choose two.)
PAN-CN-NGFW-CONFIG
PAN-CN-MGMT-CONFIGMAP
PAN-CN-MGMT
PAN-CNI-MULTUS
The CN-Series firewalls are Palo Alto Networks’ containerized Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) designed to secure Kubernetes clusters. Unlike the Strata Hardware Firewalls (e.g., PA-Series), which are physical appliances, the CN-Series is a software-based solution deployed within containerized environments. The question focuses on the specific files used to deploy CN-Series firewalls in Kubernetes clusters. Based on Palo Alto Networks’ official documentation, the two correct files are PAN-CN-MGMT-CONFIGMAP and PAN-CN-MGMT. Below is a detailed explanation of why these files are essential, with references to CN-Series deployment processes (noting that Strata hardware documentation is not directly applicable here but is contextualized for clarity).
Step 1: Understanding CN-Series Deployment in Kubernetes
The CN-Series firewall consists of two primary components: the CN-MGMT (management plane) and the CN-NGFW (data plane). These components are deployed as containers in a Kubernetes cluster, orchestrated using YAML configuration files. The deployment process involves defining resources such as ConfigMaps, Pods, and Services to instantiate and manage the CN-Series components. The files listed in the question are Kubernetes manifests or configuration files used during this process.
CN-MGMT Role:The CN-MGMT container handles the management plane, providing configuration, logging, and policy enforcement for the CN-Series firewall. It requires a dedicated YAML file to define its deployment.
CN-NGFW Role:The CN-NGFW container handles the data plane, inspecting traffic within the Kubernetes cluster. It relies on configurations provided by CN-MGMT and additional networking setup (e.g., via CNI plugins).
ConfigMaps:Kubernetes ConfigMaps store configuration data separately from container images, making them critical for passing settings to CN-Series components.
Which two statements correctly describe best practices for sizing a firewall deployment with decryption enabled? (Choose two.)
SSL decryption traffic amounts vary from network to network.
Large average transaction sizes consume more processing power to decrypt.
Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) ephemeral key exchange algorithms such as Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral (DHE) and Elliptic-Curve Diffie-Hellman Exchange (ECDHE) consume more processing resources than Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) algorithms.
Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) certificate authentication method (not the RSA key exchange algorithm) consumes more resources than Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), but ECDSA is more secure.
When planning a firewall deployment with SSL/TLS decryption enabled, it is crucial to consider the additional processing overhead introduced by decrypting and inspecting encrypted traffic. Here are the details for each statement:
Why "SSL decryption traffic amounts vary from network to network" (Correct Answer A)?SSL decryption traffic varies depending on the organization’s specific network environment, user behavior, and applications. For example, networks with heavy web traffic, cloud applications, or encrypted VoIP traffic will have more SSL/TLS decryption processing requirements. This variability means each deployment must be properly assessed and sized accordingly.
Why "Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) ephemeral key exchange algorithms such as Diffie-Hellman Ephemeral (DHE) and Elliptic-Curve Diffie-Hellman Exchange (ECDHE) consume more processing resources than Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) algorithms" (Correct Answer C)?PFS algorithms like DHE and ECDHE generate unique session keys for each connection, ensuring better security but requiring significantly more processing power compared to RSA key exchange. When decryption is enabled, firewalls must handle these computationally expensive operations for every encrypted session, impacting performance and sizing requirements.
Why not "Large average transaction sizes consume more processing power to decrypt" (Option B)?While large transaction sizes can consume additional resources, SSL/TLS decryption is more dependent on the number of sessions and the complexity of the encryption algorithms used, rather than the size of the transactions. Hence, this is not a primary best practice consideration.
Why not "Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) certificate authentication method consumes more resources than Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), but ECDSA is more secure" (Option D)?This statement discusses certificate authentication methods, not SSL/TLS decryption performance. While ECDSA is more efficient and secure than RSA, it is not directly relevant to sizing considerations for firewall deployments with decryption enabled.
A customer sees unusually high DNS traffic to an unfamiliar IP address. Which Palo Alto Networks Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscription should be enabled to further inspect this traffic?
Advanced Threat Prevention
Advanced WildFire
Advanced URL Filtering
Advanced DNS Security
The appropriate CDSS subscription to inspect and mitigate suspicious DNS traffic isAdvanced DNS Security. Here’s why:
Advanced DNS Securityprotects against DNS-based threats, including domain generation algorithms (DGA), DNS tunneling (often used for data exfiltration), and malicious domains used in attacks. It leverages machine learning to detect and block DNS traffic associated with command-and-control servers or other malicious activities. In this case, unusually high DNS traffic to an unfamiliar IP address is likely indicative of a DNS-based attack or malware activity, making this the most suitable service.
Option A:Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) focuses on identifying and blocking sophisticated threats in network traffic, such as exploits and evasive malware. While it complements DNS Security, it does not specialize in analyzing DNS-specific traffic patterns.
Option B:Advanced WildFire focuses on detecting and preventing file-based threats, such as malware delivered via email attachments or web downloads. It does not provide specific protection for DNS-related anomalies.
Option C:Advanced URL Filtering is designed to prevent access to malicious or inappropriate websites based on their URLs. While DNS may be indirectly involved in resolving malicious websites, this service does not directly inspect DNS traffic patterns for threats.
Option D (Correct):Advanced DNS Security specifically addresses DNS-based threats. By enabling this service, the customer can detect and block DNS queries to malicious domains and investigate anomalous DNS behavior like the high traffic observed in this scenario.
How to Enable Advanced DNS Security:
Ensure the firewall has a valid Advanced DNS Security license.
Navigate toObjects > Security Profiles > Anti-Spyware.
Enable DNS Security under the "DNS Signatures" section.
Apply the Anti-Spyware profile to the relevant Security Policy to enforce DNS Security.
References:
Palo Alto Networks Advanced DNS Security Overview: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/dns-security
Best Practices for DNS Security Configuration.
Which use case is valid for Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)?
Code-embedded NGFWs provide enhanced internet of things (IoT) security by allowing PAN-OS code to be run on devices that do not support embedded virtual machine (VM) images.
Serverless NGFW code security provides public cloud security for code-only deployments that do not leverage virtual machine (VM) instances or containerized services.
IT/OT segmentation firewalls allow operational technology resources in plant networks to securely interface with IT resources in the corporate network.
PAN-OS GlobalProtect gateways allow companies to run malware and exploit prevention modules on their endpoints without installing endpoint agents.
Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) provide robust security features across a variety of use cases. Let’s analyze each option:
A. Code-embedded NGFWs provide enhanced IoT security by allowing PAN-OS code to be run on devices that do not support embedded VM images.
This statement is incorrect. NGFWs do not operate as "code-embedded" solutions for IoT devices. Instead, they protect IoT devices through advanced threat prevention, device identification, and segmentation capabilities.
B. Serverless NGFW code security provides public cloud security for code-only deployments that do not leverage VM instances or containerized services.
This is not a valid use case. Palo Alto NGFWs provide security for public cloud environments using VM-series firewalls, CN-series (containerized firewalls), and Prisma Cloud for securing serverless architectures. NGFWs do not operate in "code-only" environments.
C. IT/OT segmentation firewalls allow operational technology (OT) resources in plant networks to securely interface with IT resources in the corporate network.
This is a valid use case. Palo Alto NGFWs are widely used in industrial environments to provide IT/OT segmentation, ensuring that operational technology systems in plants or manufacturing facilities can securely communicate with IT networks while protecting against cross-segment threats. Features like App-ID, User-ID, and Threat Prevention are leveraged for this segmentation.
D. PAN-OS GlobalProtect gateways allow companies to run malware and exploit prevention modules on their endpoints without installing endpoint agents.
This is incorrect. GlobalProtect gateways provide secure remote access to corporate networks and extend the NGFW’s threat prevention capabilities to endpoints, but endpoint agents are required to enforce malware and exploit prevention modules.
Key Takeaways:
IT/OT segmentation with NGFWs is a real and critical use case in industries like manufacturing and utilities.
The other options describe features or scenarios that are not applicable or valid for NGFWs.
References:
Palo Alto Networks NGFW Use Cases
Industrial Security with NGFWs
What are three valid Panorama deployment options? (Choose three.)
As a virtual machine (ESXi, Hyper-V, KVM)
With a cloud service provider (AWS, Azure, GCP)
As a container (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift)
On a Raspberry Pi (Model 4, Model 400, Model 5)
As a dedicated hardware appliance (M-100, M-200, M-500, M-600)
Panorama is Palo Alto Networks’ centralized management solution for managing multiple firewalls. It supports multiple deployment options to suit different infrastructure needs. The valid deployment options are as follows:
Why "As a virtual machine (ESXi, Hyper-V, KVM)" (Correct Answer A)?Panorama can be deployed as a virtual machine on hypervisors like VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM. This is a common option for organizations that already utilize virtualized infrastructure.
Why "With a cloud service provider (AWS, Azure, GCP)" (Correct Answer B)?Panorama is available for deployment in the public cloud on platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. This allows organizations to centrally manage firewalls deployed in cloud environments.
Why "As a dedicated hardware appliance (M-100, M-200, M-500, M-600)" (Correct Answer E)?Panorama is available as a dedicated hardware appliance with different models (M-100, M-200, M-500, M-600) to cater to various performance and scalability requirements. This is ideal for organizations that prefer physical appliances.
Why not "As a container (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift)" (Option C)?Panorama is not currently supported as a containerized deployment. Containers are more commonly used for lightweight and ephemeral services, whereas Panorama requires a robust and persistent deployment model.
Why not "On a Raspberry Pi (Model 4, Model 400, Model 5)" (Option D)?Panorama cannot be deployed on low-powered hardware like Raspberry Pi. The system requirements for Panorama far exceed the capabilities of Raspberry Pi hardware.
Which three use cases are specific to Policy Optimizer? (Choose three.)
Discovering applications on the network and transitions to application-based policy over time
Converting broad rules based on application filters into narrow rules based on application groups
Enabling migration from port-based rules to application-based rules
Discovering 5-tuple attributes that can be simplified to 4-tuple attributes
Automating the tagging of rules based on historical log data
The question asks for three use cases specific to Policy Optimizer, a feature in PAN-OS designed to enhance security policy management on Palo Alto Networks Strata Hardware Firewalls. Policy Optimizer helps administrators refine firewall rules by leveraging App-ID technology, transitioning from legacy port-based policies to application-based policies, and optimizing rule efficiency. Below is a detailed explanation of why options A, C, and E are the correct use cases, verified against official Palo Alto Networks documentation.
Step 1: Understanding Policy Optimizer in PAN-OS
Policy Optimizer is a tool introduced in PAN-OS 9.0 and enhanced in subsequent versions (e.g., 11.1), accessible under Policies > Policy Optimizer in the web interface. It analyzes traffic logs to:
Identify applications traversing the network.
Suggest refinements to security rules (e.g., replacing ports with App-IDs).
Provide insights into rule usage and optimization opportunities.
Its primary goal is to align policies with Palo Alto Networks’ application-centric approach, improving security and manageability on Strata NGFWs.
What is used to stop a DNS-based threat?
DNS proxy
Buffer overflow protection
DNS tunneling
DNS sinkholing
DNS-based threats, such as DNS tunneling, phishing, or malware command-and-control (C2) activities, are commonly used by attackers to exfiltrate data or establish malicious communications. Palo Alto Networks firewalls provide several mechanisms to address these threats, and the correct method isDNS sinkholing.
Why "DNS sinkholing" (Correct Answer D)?DNS sinkholing redirects DNS queries for malicious domains to an internal or non-routable IP address, effectively preventing communication with malicious domains. When a user or endpoint tries to connect to a malicious domain, the sinkhole DNS entry ensures the traffic is blocked or routed to a controlled destination.
DNS sinkholing is especially effective for blocking malware trying to contact its C2 server or preventing data exfiltration.
Why not "DNS proxy" (Option A)?A DNS proxy is used to forward DNS queries from endpoints to an upstream DNS server. While it can be part of a network's DNS setup, it does not actively stop DNS-based threats.
Why not "Buffer overflow protection" (Option B)?Buffer overflow protection is a method used to prevent memory-related attacks, such as exploiting software vulnerabilities. It is unrelated to DNS-based threat prevention.
Why not "DNS tunneling" (Option C)?DNS tunneling is itself a type of DNS-based threat where attackers encode malicious traffic within DNS queries and responses. This option refers to the threat itself, not the method to stop it.
A customer has acquired 10 new branch offices, each with fewer than 50 users and no existing firewall. The systems engineer wants to recommend a PA-Series NGFW with Advanced Threat Prevention at each branch location. Which NGFW series is the most cost-efficient at securing internet traffic?
PA-200
PA-400
PA-500
PA-600
ThePA-400 Seriesis the most cost-efficient Palo Alto Networks NGFW for small branch offices. Let’s analyze the options:
PA-400 Series (Recommended Option)
The PA-400 Series (PA-410, PA-415, etc.) is specifically designed for small to medium-sized branch offices with fewer than 50 users.
It provides all the necessary security features, including Advanced Threat Prevention, at a lower price point compared to higher-tier models.
It supports PAN-OS and Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS), making it suitable for securing internet traffic at branch locations.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
PA-200:The PA-200 is an older model and is no longer available. It lacks the performance and features needed for modern branch office security.
PA-500:The PA-500 is also an older model that is not as cost-efficient as the PA-400 Series.
PA-600:The PA-600 Series does not exist.
Key Takeaways:
For branch offices with fewer than 50 users, the PA-400 Series offers the best balance ofcost and performance.
References:
Palo Alto Networks PA-400 Series Datasheet
What would make a customer choose an on-premises solution over a cloud-based SASE solution for their network?
High growth phase with existing and planned mergers, and with acquisitions being integrated.
Most employees and applications in close physical proximity in a geographic region.
Hybrid work and cloud adoption at various locations that have different requirements per site.
The need to enable business to securely expand its geographical footprint.
SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a cloud-based solution that combines networking and security capabilities to address modern enterprise needs. However, there are scenarios where an on-premises solution is more appropriate.
A. High growth phase with existing and planned mergers, and with acquisitions being integrated.
This scenario typically favors a SASE solution since it provides flexible, scalable, and centralized security that is ideal for integrating newly acquired businesses.
B. Most employees and applications in close physical proximity in a geographic region.
This scenario supports the choice of an on-premises solution. When employees and applications are concentrated in a single geographic region, traditional on-premises firewalls and centralized security appliances provide cost-effective and efficient protection without the need for distributed, cloud-based infrastructure.
C. Hybrid work and cloud adoption at various locations that have different requirements per site.
This scenario aligns with a SASE solution. Hybrid work and varying site requirements are better addressed by SASE’s ability to provide consistent security policies regardless of location.
D. The need to enable business to securely expand its geographical footprint.
Expanding into new geographic areas benefits from the scalability and flexibility of a SASE solution, which can deliver consistent security globally without requiring physical appliances at each location.
Key Takeaways:
On-premises solutions are ideal for geographically concentrated networks with minimal cloud adoption.
SASE is better suited for hybrid work, cloud adoption, and distributed networks.
References:
Palo Alto Networks SASE Overview
On-Premises vs. SASE Deployment Guide
While responding to a customer RFP, a systems engineer (SE) is presented the question, "How do PANW firewalls enable the mapping of transactions as part of Zero Trust principles?" Which two narratives can the SE use to respond to the question? (Choose two.)
Emphasize Zero Trust as an ideology, and that the customer decides how to align to Zero Trust principles.
Reinforce the importance of decryption and security protections to verify traffic that is not malicious.
Explain how the NGFW can be placed in the network so it has visibility into every traffic flow.
Describe how Palo Alto Networks NGFW Security policies are built by using users, applications, and data objects.
The question asks how Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Strata Hardware Firewalls enable the mapping of transactions as part of Zero Trust principles, requiring a systems engineer (SE) to provide two narratives for a customer RFP response. Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no trust by default, requiring continuous verification of all transactions, users, and devices—inside and outside the network. The Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW), part of the Strataportfolio, supports this through its advanced visibility, decryption, and policy enforcement capabilities. Below is a detailed explanation of why options B and D are the correct narratives, verified against official Palo Alto Networks documentation.
Step 1: Understanding Zero Trust and Transaction Mapping in PAN-OS
Zero Trust principles, as defined by frameworks like NIST SP 800-207, emphasize identifying and verifying every transaction (e.g., network flows, application requests) based on context such as user identity, application, and data. For Palo Alto Networks NGFWs, "mapping of transactions" refers to the ability to identify, classify, and control network traffic with granular detail, enabling verification and enforcement aligned with Zero Trust.
The PAN-OS operating system achieves this through:
App-ID: Identifies applications regardless of port or protocol.
User-ID: Maps IP addresses to user identities.
Content-ID: Inspects and protects content, including decryption for visibility.
Security Policies: Enforces rules based on these mappings.
In addition to DNS Security, which three Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscriptions are minimum recommendations for all NGFWs that handle north-south traffic? (Choose three)
SaaS Security
Advanced WildFire
Enterprise DLP
Advanced Threat Prevention
Advanced URL Filtering
North-south traffic refers to the flow of data in and out of a network, typically between internalresources and the internet. To secure this type of traffic, Palo Alto Networks recommends specific CDSS subscriptions in addition to DNS Security:
A. SaaS Security
SaaS Security is designed for monitoring and securing SaaS application usage but is not essential for handling typical north-south traffic.
B. Advanced WildFire
Advanced WildFire provides cloud-based malware analysis and sandboxing to detect and block zero-day threats. It is a critical component for securing north-south traffic against advanced malware.
C. Enterprise DLP
Enterprise DLP focuses on data loss prevention, primarily for protecting sensitive data. While important, it is not a minimum recommendation for securing north-south traffic.
D. Advanced Threat Prevention
Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) replaces traditional IPS and provides inline detection and prevention of evasive threats in north-south traffic. It is a crucial recommendation for protecting against sophisticated threats.
E. Advanced URL Filtering
Advanced URL Filtering prevents access to malicious or harmful URLs. It complements DNS Security to provide comprehensive web protection for north-south traffic.
Key Takeaways:
Advanced WildFire, Advanced Threat Prevention, and Advanced URL Filtering are minimum recommendations for NGFWs handling north-south traffic, alongside DNS Security.
SaaS Security and Enterprise DLP, while valuable, are not minimum requirements for this use case.
References:
Palo Alto Networks NGFW Best Practices
Cloud-Delivered Security Services
A systems engineer should create a profile that blocks which category to protect a customer from ransomware URLs by using Advanced URL Filtering?
Ransomware
High Risk
Scanning Activity
Command and Control
When configuring Advanced URL Filtering on a Palo Alto Networks firewall, the "Ransomware" category should be explicitly blocked to protect customers from URLs associated with ransomware activities. Ransomware URLs typically host malicious code or scripts designed to encrypt user data and demand a ransom. By blocking the "Ransomware" category, systems engineers can proactively prevent users from accessing such URLs.
Why "Ransomware" (Correct Answer A)?The "Ransomware" category is specifically curated by Palo Alto Networks to include URLs known to deliver ransomware or support ransomware operations. Blocking this category ensures that any URL categorized as part of this list will be inaccessible to end-users, significantly reducing the risk of ransomware attacks.
Why not "High Risk" (Option B)?While the "High Risk" category includes potentially malicious sites, it is broader and less targeted. It may not always block ransomware-specific URLs. "High Risk" includes a range of websites that are flagged based on factors like bad reputation or hosting malicious content in general. It is less focused than the "Ransomware" category.
Why not "Scanning Activity" (Option C)?The "Scanning Activity" category focuses on URLs used in vulnerability scans, automated probing, or reconnaissance by attackers. Although such activity could be a precursor to ransomware attacks, it does not directly block ransomware URLs.
Why not "Command and Control" (Option D)?The "Command and Control" category is designed to block URLs used by malware or compromised systems to communicate with their operators. While some ransomware may utilize command-and-control (C2) servers, blocking C2 URLs alone does not directly target ransomware URLs themselves.
By using the Advanced URL Filtering profile and blocking the "Ransomware" category, the firewall applies targeted controls to mitigate ransomware-specific threats.
A security engineer has been tasked with protecting a company's on-premises web servers but is not authorized to purchase a web application firewall (WAF).
Which Palo Alto Networks solution will protect the company from SQL injection zero-day, command injection zero-day, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, and IIS exploits?
Threat Prevention and PAN-OS 11.x
Advanced Threat Prevention and PAN-OS 11.x
Threat Prevention, Advanced URL Filtering, and PAN-OS 10.2 (and higher)
Advanced WildFire and PAN-OS 10.0 (and higher)
Protecting web servers from advanced threats like SQL injection, command injection, XSS attacks, and IIS exploits requires a solution capable of deep packet inspection, behavioral analysis, andinline prevention of zero-day attacks. The most effective solution here isAdvanced Threat Prevention (ATP)combined withPAN-OS 11.x.
Why "Advanced Threat Prevention and PAN-OS 11.x" (Correct Answer B)?Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) enhances traditional threat prevention by usinginline deep learning modelsto detect and block advanced zero-day threats, includingSQL injection, command injection, and XSS attacks. With PAN-OS 11.x, ATP extends its detection capabilities to detect unknown exploits without relying on signature-based methods. This functionality is critical for protecting web servers in scenarios where a dedicated WAF is unavailable.
ATP provides the following benefits:
Inline prevention of zero-day threats using deep learning models.
Real-time detection of attacks like SQL injection and XSS.
Enhanced protection for web server platforms like IIS.
Full integration with the Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW).
Why not "Threat Prevention and PAN-OS 11.x" (Option A)?Threat Prevention relies primarily on signature-based detection for known threats. While it provides basic protection, it lacks the capability to block zero-day attacks using advanced methods like inline deep learning. For zero-day SQL injection and XSS attacks, Threat Prevention alone is insufficient.
Why not "Threat Prevention, Advanced URL Filtering, and PAN-OS 10.2 (and higher)" (Option C)?While this combination includes Advanced URL Filtering (useful for blocking malicious URLs associated with exploits), it still relies onThreat Prevention, which is signature-based. This combination does not provide the zero-day protection needed for advanced injection attacks or XSS vulnerabilities.
Why not "Advanced WildFire and PAN-OS 10.0 (and higher)" (Option D)?Advanced WildFire is focused on analyzing files and executables in a sandbox environment to identify malware. While it is excellent for identifying malware, it is not designed to provide inline prevention for web-based injection attacks or XSS exploits targeting web servers.
Which two statements clarify the functionality and purchase options for Palo Alto Networks AIOps for NGFW? (Choose two.)
It is offered in two license tiers: a commercial edition and an enterprise edition.
It is offered in two license tiers: a free version and a premium version.
It uses telemetry data to forecast, preempt, or identify issues, and it uses machine learning (ML) to adjust and enhance the process.
It forwards log data to Advanced WildFire to anticipate, prevent, or identify issues, and it uses machine learning (ML) to refine and adapt to the process.
Palo Alto Networks AIOps for NGFW is a cloud-delivered service that leverages telemetry data and machine learning (ML) to provide proactive operational insights, best practice recommendations, and issue prevention.
Why "It is offered in two license tiers: a free version and a premium version" (Correct Answer B)?AIOps for NGFW is available in two tiers:
Free Tier:Provides basic operational insights and best practices at no additional cost.
Premium Tier:Offers advanced capabilities, such as AI-driven forecasts, proactive issue prevention, and enhanced ML-based recommendations.
Why "It uses telemetry data to forecast, preempt, or identify issues, and it uses machine learning (ML) to adjust and enhance the process" (Correct Answer C)?AIOps uses telemetry data from NGFWs to analyze operational trends, forecast potential problems, and recommend solutions before issues arise. ML continuously refines these insights by learning from real-world data, enhancing accuracy and effectiveness over time.
Why not "It is offered in two license tiers: a commercial edition and an enterprise edition" (Option A)?This is incorrect because the licensing model for AIOps is based on "free" and "premium" tiers, not "commercial" and "enterprise" editions.
Why not "It forwards log data to Advanced WildFire to anticipate, prevent, or identify issues, and it uses machine learning (ML) to refine and adapt to the process" (Option D)?AIOps does not rely on Advanced WildFire for its operation. Instead, it uses telemetry data directly from the NGFWs to perform operational and security analysis.
Which two methods are valid ways to populate user-to-IP mappings? (Choose two.)
XML API
Captive portal
User-ID
SCP log ingestion
Step 1: Understanding User-to-IP Mappings
User-to-IP mappings are the foundation of User-ID, a core feature of Strata Hardware Firewalls (e.g., PA-400 Series, PA-5400 Series). These mappings link a user’s identity (e.g., username) to their device’s IP address, enabling policy enforcement based on user identity rather than just IP. Palo Alto Networks supports multiple methods to populate these mappings, depending on thenetwork environment and authentication mechanisms.
Purpose:Allows the firewall to apply user-based policies, monitor user activity, and generate user-specific logs.
Strata Context:On a PA-5445, User-ID integrates with App-ID and security subscriptions to enforce granular access control.
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