What are the first two steps a customer should perform as they begin to understand and adopt Zero Trust principles? (Choose two)
Understand which users, devices, infrastructure, applications, data, and services are part of the network or have access to it.
Enable relevant Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscriptions to automatically protect the customer's environment from both internal and external threats.
Map the transactions between users, applications, and data, then verify and inspect those transactions.
Implement VM-Series NGFWs in the customer’s public and private clouds to protect east-west traffic.
Zero Trust principles revolve around minimizing trust in the network and verifying every interaction. To adopt Zero Trust, customers should start by gaining visibility and understanding the network and its transactions.
A. Understand which users, devices, infrastructure, applications, data, and services are part of the network or have access to it.
The first step in adopting Zero Trust is understanding the full scope of the network. Identifying users, devices, applications, and data is critical for building a comprehensive security strategy.
C. Map the transactions between users, applications, and data, then verify and inspect those transactions.
After identifying all assets, the next step is to map interactions and enforce verification and inspection of these transactions to ensure security.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
B:Enabling CDSS subscriptions is important for protection but comes after foundational Zero Trust principles are established.
D:Implementing VM-Series NGFWs is part of enforcing Zero Trust, but it is not the first step. Visibility and understanding come first.
References:
Palo Alto Networks Zero Trust Overview
When a customer needs to understand how Palo Alto Networks NGFWs lower the risk of exploitation by newly announced vulnerabilities known to be actively attacked, which solution and functionality delivers the most value?
Advanced URL Filtering uses machine learning (ML) to learn which malicious URLs are being utilized by the attackers, then block the resulting traffic.
Advanced Threat Prevention's command injection and SQL injection functions use inline deep learning against zero-day threats.
Single Pass Architecture and parallel processing ensure traffic is efficiently scanned against any enabled Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscription.
WildFire loads custom OS images to ensure that the sandboxing catches any activity that would affect the customer's environment.
The most effective way to reduce the risk of exploitation bynewly announced vulnerabilitiesis throughAdvanced Threat Prevention (ATP). ATP usesinline deep learningto identify and block exploitation attempts, even for zero-day vulnerabilities, in real time.
Why "Advanced Threat Prevention’s command injection and SQL injection functionsuse inline deep learning against zero-day threats" (Correct Answer B)?Advanced Threat Prevention leveragesdeep learning modelsdirectly in the data path, which allows it to analyze traffic in real time and detect patterns of exploitation, including newly discovered vulnerabilities being actively exploited in the wild. It specifically targets advanced tactics like:
Command injection.
SQL injection.
Memory-based exploits.
Protocol evasion techniques.
This functionality lowers the risk of exploitation byactively blocking attack attemptsbased on their behavior, even when a signature is not yet available. This approach makes ATP the most valuable solution for addressing new and actively exploited vulnerabilities.
Why not "Advanced URL Filtering uses machine learning (ML) to learn which malicious URLs are being utilized by the attackers, then block the resulting traffic" (Option A)?While Advanced URL Filtering is highly effective at blocking access to malicious websites, it does not provide the inline analysis necessary to prevent direct exploitation of vulnerabilities. Exploitation often happens within the application or protocol layer, which Advanced URL Filtering does not inspect.
Why not "Single Pass Architecture and parallel processing ensure traffic is efficiently scanned against any enabled Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscription" (Option C)?Single Pass Architecture improves performance by ensuring all enabled services (like Threat Prevention, URL Filtering, etc.) process traffic efficiently. However, it is not a feature that directly addresses vulnerability exploitation or zero-day attack detection.
Why not "WildFire loads custom OS images to ensure that the sandboxing catches any activity that would affect the customer's environment" (Option D)?WildFire is a sandboxing solution designed to detect malicious files and executables. While it is useful for analyzing malware, it does not provide inline protection against exploitation of newly announced vulnerabilities, especially those targeting network protocols or applications.
Which initial action can a network security engineer take to prevent a malicious actor from using a file-sharing application for data exfiltration without impacting users who still need to use file-sharing applications?
Use DNS Security to limit access to file-sharing applications based on job functions.
Use App-ID to limit access to file-sharing applications based on job functions.
Use DNS Security to block all file-sharing applications and uploading abilities.
Use App-ID to block all file-sharing applications and uploading abilities.
To prevent malicious actors from abusing file-sharing applications for data exfiltration,App-IDprovides a granular approach to managing application traffic. Palo Alto Networks'App-IDis a technology that identifies applications traversing the network, regardless of port, protocol, encryption (SSL), or evasive tactics. By leveraging App-ID, security engineers can implement policies that restrict the use of specific applications or functionalities based on job functions, ensuring that only authorized users or groups can use file-sharing applications while blocking unauthorized or malicious usage.
Here’s why the options are evaluated this way:
Option A:DNS Security focuses on identifying and blocking malicious domains. While it plays a critical role in preventing certain attacks (like command-and-control traffic), it is not effective for managing application usage. Hence, this is not the best approach.
Option B (Correct):App-ID provides the ability to identify file-sharing applications (such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive) and enforce policies to restrict their use. For example, you can create a security rule allowing file-sharing apps only for specific job functions, such as HR or marketing, while denying them for other users. This targeted approach ensures legitimate business needs are not disrupted, which aligns with the requirement of not impacting valid users.
Option C:Blocking all file-sharing applications outright using DNS Security is a broad measure that will indiscriminately impact legitimate users. This does not meet the requirement of allowing specific users to continue using file-sharing applications.
Option D:While App-ID can block file-sharing applications outright, doing so will prevent legitimate usage and is not aligned with the requirement to allow usage based on job functions.
How to Implement the Solution (Using App-ID):
Identify the relevant file-sharing applications using App-ID in Palo Alto Networks’ predefined application database.
Create security policies that allow these applications only for users or groups defined in your directory (e.g., Active Directory).
Use custom App-ID filters or explicit rules to control specific functionalities of file-sharing applications, such as uploads or downloads.
Monitor traffic to ensure that only authorized users are accessing the applications and that no malicious activity is occurring.
References:
Palo Alto Networks Admin Guide: Application Identification and Usage Policies.
Best Practices for App-ID Configuration:
A prospective customer is interested in Palo Alto Networks NGFWs and wants to evaluate the ability to segregate its internal network into unique BGP environments.
Which statement describes the ability of NGFWs to address this need?
It cannot be addressed because PAN-OS does not support it.
It can be addressed by creating multiple eBGP autonomous systems.
It can be addressed with BGP confederations.
It cannot be addressed because BGP must be fully meshed internally to work.
Step 1: Understand the Requirement and Context
Customer Need: Segregate the internal network into unique BGP environments, suggesting multiple isolated or semi-isolated routing domains within a single organization.
BGP Basics:
BGP is a routing protocol used to exchange routing information between autonomous systems (ASes).
eBGP: External BGP, used between different ASes.
iBGP: Internal BGP, used within a single AS, typically requiring a full mesh of peers unless mitigated by techniques like confederations or route reflectors.
Palo Alto NGFW: Supports BGP on virtual routers (VRs) within PAN-OS, enabling advanced routing capabilities for Strata hardware firewalls (e.g., PA-Series).
References: "PAN-OS supports BGP for dynamic routing and network segmentation" (docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/10-2/pan-os-networking-admin/bgp).
Step 2: Evaluate Each Option
Option A: It cannot be addressed because PAN-OS does not support it
Analysis:
PAN-OS fully supports BGP, including eBGP, iBGP, confederations, and route reflectors, configurable under "Network > Virtual Routers > BGP."
Features like multiple virtual routers and BGP allow network segregation and routing policy control.
This statement contradicts documented capabilities.
Verification:
"Configure BGP on a virtual router for dynamic routing" (docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/10-2/pan-os-networking-admin/bgp/configure-bgp).
Conclusion: Incorrect—PAN-OS supports BGP and segregation techniques.Not Applicable.
Option B: It can be addressed by creating multiple eBGP autonomous systems
Analysis:
eBGP: Used between distinct ASes, each with a unique AS number (e.g., AS 65001, AS 65002).
Within a single organization, creating multiple eBGP ASes would require:
Assigning unique AS numbers (public or private) to each internal segment.
Treating each segment as a separate AS, peering externally with other segments via eBGP.
Challenges:
Internally, this isn’t practical for a single network—it’s more suited to external peering (e.g., with ISPs).
Requires complex management and public/private AS number allocation, not ideal for internal segregation.
Doesn’t leverage iBGP or confederations, which are designed for internal AS management.
PAN-OS supports eBGP, but this approach misaligns with the intent of internal network segregation.
Verification:
"eBGP peers connect different ASes" (docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/10-2/pan-os-networking-admin/bgp/bgp-concepts).
Conclusion: Possible but impractical and not the intended BGP solution for internal segregation.Not Optimal.
Option C: It can be addressed with BGP confederations
Description: BGP confederations divide a single AS into sub-ASes (each with a private Confederation Member AS number), reducing the iBGP full-mesh requirement while maintaining a unified external AS.
Analysis:
How It Works:
Single AS (e.g., AS 65000) is split into sub-ASes (e.g., 65001, 65002).
Within each sub-AS, iBGP full mesh or route reflectors are used.
Between sub-ASes, eBGP-like peering (confederation EBGP) connects them, but externally, it appears as one AS.
Segregation:
Each sub-AS can represent a unique BGP environment (e.g., department, site) with its own routing policies.
Firewalls within a sub-AS peer via iBGP; across sub-ASes, they use confederation EBGP.
PAN-OS Support:
Configurable under "Network > Virtual Routers > BGP > Confederation" with a Confederation Member AS number.
Ideal for large internal networks needing segmentation without multiple public AS numbers.
Benefits:
Simplifies internal BGP management.
Aligns with the customer’s need for unique internal BGP environments.
Verification:
"BGP confederations reduce full-mesh burden by dividing an AS into sub-ASes" (docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/10-2/pan-os-networking-admin/bgp/bgp-confederations).
"Supports unique internal routing domains" (knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com).
Conclusion: Directly addresses the requirement with a supported, practical solution.Applicable.
Option D: It cannot be addressed because BGP must be fully meshed internally to work
Analysis:
iBGP Full Mesh: Traditional iBGP requires all routers in an AS to peer with each other, scaling poorly (n(n-1)/2 connections).
Mitigation: PAN-OS supports alternatives:
Route Reflectors: Centralize iBGP peering.
Confederations: Divide the AS into sub-ASes (see Option C).
This statement ignores these features, falsely claiming BGP’s limitation prevents segregation.
Verification:
"Confederations and route reflectors eliminate full-mesh needs" (docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/10-2/pan-os-networking-admin/bgp/bgp-confederations).
Conclusion: Incorrect—PAN-OS overcomes full-mesh constraints.Not Applicable.
Step 3: Recommendation Justification
Why Option C?
Alignment: Confederations allow the internal network to be segregated into unique BGP environments (sub-ASes) while maintaining a single external AS, perfectly matching the customer’s need.
Scalability: Reduces iBGP full-mesh complexity, ideal for large or segmented internal networks.
PAN-OS Support: Explicitly implemented in BGP configuration, validated by documentation.
Why Not Others?
A: False—PAN-OS supports BGP and segregation.
B: eBGP is for external ASes, not internal segregation; less practical thanconfederations.
D: Misrepresents BGP capabilities; full mesh isn’t required with confederations or route reflectors.
Step 4: Verified References
BGP Confederations: "Divide an AS into sub-ASes for internal segmentation" (docs.paloaltonetworks.com/pan-os/10-2/pan-os-networking-admin/bgp/bgp-confederations).
PAN-OS BGP: "Supports eBGP, iBGP, and confederations for routing flexibility" (paloaltonetworks.com, PAN-OS Networking Guide).
Use Case: "Confederations suit large internal networks" (knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com).
An existing customer wants to expand their online business into physical stores for the first time. The customer requires NGFWs at the physical store to handle SD-WAN, security, and data protection needs, while also mandating a vendor-validated deployment method. Which two steps are valid actions for a systems engineer to take? (Choose two.)
Recommend the customer purchase Palo Alto Networks or partner-provided professional services to meet the stated requirements.
Use Golden Images and Day 1 configuration to create a consistent baseline from which the customer can efficiently work.
Create a bespoke deployment plan with the customer that reviews their cloud architecture, store footprint, and security requirements.
Use the reference architecture "On-Premises Network Security for the Branch Deployment Guide" to achieve a desired architecture.
When an existing customer expands their online business into physical stores and requires Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) at those locations to handle SD-WAN, security, and data protection—while mandating a vendor-validated deployment method—a systems engineer must leverage Palo Alto Networks’ Strata Hardware Firewall capabilities and validated deployment strategies. The Strata portfolio, particularly the PA-Series NGFWs, is designed to secure branch offices with integrated SD-WAN and robust security features. Below is a detailed explanation of why options A and D are the correct actions, grounded in Palo Alto Networks’ documentation and practices as of March 08, 2025.
Step 1: Recommend Professional Services (Option A)
The customer’s requirement for a "vendor-validated deployment method" implies a need for expertise and assurance that the solution meets their specific needs—SD-WAN, security, and data protection—across new physical stores. Palo Alto Networks offers professional services, either directly or through certified partners, to ensure proper deployment of Strata Hardware Firewalls like the PA-400 Series or PA-1400 Series, which are ideal for branch deployments. These services provide end-to-end support, from planning to implementation, aligning with the customer’s mandate for a validated approach.
Professional Services Scope:Palo Alto Networks’ professional services include architecture design, deployment, and optimization for NGFWs and SD-WAN. This ensures that the PA-Series firewalls are configured to handle SD-WAN (e.g., dynamic path selection), security (e.g., Threat Prevention with ML-powered inspection), and data protection (e.g., WildFire for malware analysis and Data Loss Prevention integration).
Vendor Validation:By recommending these services, the engineer ensures a deployment that adheres to Palo Alto Networks’ best practices, meeting the customer’s requirement for a vendor-validated method. This is particularly critical for a customer new to physical store deployments, as it mitigates risks and accelerates time-to-value.
Strata Hardware Relevance:The PA-410, for example, is a desktop NGFW designed for small branch offices, offering SD-WAN and Zero Trust security out of the box. Professional services ensure its correct integration into the customer’s ecosystem.
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.
What is the minimum configuration to stop a Cobalt Strike Malleable C2 attack inline and in real time?
Next-Generation CASB on PAN-OS 10.1
Advanced Threat Prevention and PAN-OS 10.2
Threat Prevention and Advanced WildFire with PAN-OS 10.0
DNS Security, Threat Prevention, and Advanced WildFire with PAN-OS 9.x
Cobalt Strike is a popular post-exploitation framework often used by attackers for Command and Control (C2) operations. Malleable C2 profiles allow attackers to modify the behavior of their C2 communication, making detection more difficult. Stopping these attacks inreal timerequires deep inline inspection and the ability to block zero-day and evasive threats.
Why "Advanced Threat Prevention and PAN-OS 10.2" (Correct Answer B)?Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) on PAN-OS 10.2 usesinline deep learning modelsto detect and blockCobalt Strike Malleable C2 attacksin real time. ATP is designed to prevent evasive techniques and zero-day threats, which is essential for blocking Malleable C2. PAN-OS 10.2 introduces enhanced capabilities for detecting malicious traffic patterns and inline analysis of encrypted traffic.
ATP examines traffic behavior and signature-less threats, effectively stopping evasive C2 profiles.
PAN-OS 10.2 includes real-time protections specifically for Malleable C2.
Why not "Next-Generation CASB on PAN-OS 10.1" (Option A)?Next-Generation CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) is designed to secure SaaS applications and does not provide the inline C2 protection required to stop Malleable C2 attacks. CASB is not related to Command and Control detection.
Why not "Threat Prevention and Advanced WildFire with PAN-OS 10.0" (Option C)?Threat Prevention and Advanced WildFire are effective for detecting and preventing malware and known threats. However, they rely heavily on signatures and sandboxing for analysis, which is not sufficient for stoppingreal-time evasive C2 traffic. PAN-OS 10.0lacks the advanced inline capabilities provided by ATP in PAN-OS 10.2.
Why not "DNS Security, Threat Prevention, and Advanced WildFire with PAN-OS 9.x" (Option D)?While DNS Security and Threat Prevention are valuable for blocking malicious domains and known threats, PAN-OS 9.x does not provide the inline deep learning capabilities needed for real-time detection and prevention of Malleable C2 attacks. The absence of advanced behavioral analysis in PAN-OS 9.x makes this combination ineffective against advanced C2 attacks.
A company plans to deploy identity for improved visibility and identity-based controls for least privilege access to applications and data. The company does not have an on-premises Active Directory (AD) deployment, and devices are connected and managed by using a combination of Entra ID and Jamf.
Which two supported sources for identity are appropriate for this environment? (Choose two.)
Captive portal
User-ID agents configured for WMI client probing
GlobalProtect with an internal gateway deployment
Cloud Identity Engine synchronized with Entra ID
In this scenario, the company does not use on-premises Active Directory and manages devices with Entra ID and Jamf, which implies a cloud-native and modern management setup. Below is the evaluation of each option:
Option A: Captive portal
Captive portal is typically used in environments where identity mapping is needed for unmanaged devices or guest users. It provides a mechanism for users to authenticate themselves through a web interface.
However, in this case, the company is managing devices using Entra ID and Jamf, which means identity information can already be centralized through other means. Captive portal is not an ideal solution here.
This option is not appropriate.
Option B: User-ID agents configured for WMI client probing
WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) client probing is a mechanism used to map IP addresses to usernames in a Windows environment. This approach is specific to on-premises Active Directory deployments and requires direct communication with Windows endpoints.
Since the company does not have an on-premises AD and is using Entra ID and Jamf, this method is not applicable.
This option is not appropriate.
Option C: GlobalProtect with an internal gateway deployment
GlobalProtect is Palo Alto Networks' VPN solution, which allows for secure remote access. It also supports identity-based mapping when deployed with internal gateways.
In this case, GlobalProtect with an internal gateway can serve as a mechanism to provide user and device visibility based on the managed devices connecting through the gateway.
This option is appropriate.
Option D: Cloud Identity Engine synchronized with Entra ID
The Cloud Identity Engine provides a cloud-based approach to synchronize identity information from identity providers like Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).
In a cloud-native environment with Entra ID and Jamf, the Cloud Identity Engine is a natural fit as it integrates seamlessly to provide identity visibility for applicationsand data.
This option is appropriate.
References:
Palo Alto Networks documentation on Cloud Identity Engine
GlobalProtect configuration and use cases in Palo Alto Knowledge Base
Which technique is an example of a DNS attack that Advanced DNS Security can detect and prevent?
High entropy DNS domains
Polymorphic DNS
CNAME cloaking
DNS domain rebranding
Advanced DNS Security on Palo Alto Networks firewalls is designed to identify and prevent a wide range of DNS-based attacks. Among the listed options, "High entropy DNS domains" is a specific example of a DNS attack that Advanced DNS Security can detect and block.
Why "High entropy DNS domains" (Correct Answer A)?High entropy DNS domains are often used in attacks where randomly generated domain names (e.g., gfh34ksdu.com) are utilized by malware or bots to evade detection. This is a hallmark of Domain Generation Algorithms (DGA)-based attacks. Palo Alto Networks firewalls with Advanced DNS Security use machine learning to detect such domains by analyzing the entropy (randomness) of DNS queries. High entropy values indicate the likelihood of a dynamically generated or malicious domain.
Why not "Polymorphic DNS" (Option B)?While polymorphic DNS refers to techniques that dynamically change DNS records to avoid detection, it is not specifically identified as an attack type mitigated by Advanced DNS Security in Palo Alto Networks documentation. The firewall focuses more on the behavior of DNS queries, such as detecting DGA domains or anomalous DNS traffic patterns.
Why not "CNAME cloaking" (Option C)?CNAME cloaking involves using CNAME records to redirect DNS queries to malicious or hidden domains. Although Palo Alto firewalls may detect and block malicious DNS redirections, the focus of Advanced DNS Security is primarily on identifying patterns of DNS abuse like DGA domains, tunneling, or high entropy queries.
Why not "DNS domain rebranding" (Option D)?DNS domain rebranding involves changing the domain names associated with malicious activity to evade detection. This is typically a tactic used for persistence but is not an example of a DNS attack type specifically addressed by Advanced DNS Security.
Advanced DNS Security focuses on dynamic, real-time identification of suspicious DNS patterns, such as high entropy domains, DNS tunneling, or protocol violations. High entropy DNS domains are directly tied to attack mechanisms like DGAs, making this the correct answer.
What does Policy Optimizer allow a systems engineer to do for an NGFW?
Recommend best practices on new policy creation
Show unused licenses for Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscriptions and firewalls
Identify Security policy rules with unused applications
Act as a migration tool to import policies from third-party vendors
Policy Optimizer is a feature designed to help administrators improve the efficiency and effectiveness of security policies on Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs). It focuses on identifying unused or overly permissive policies to streamline and optimize the configuration.
Why "Identify Security policy rules with unused applications" (Correct Answer C)?Policy Optimizer provides visibility into existing security policies and identifies rules thathave unused or outdated applications. For example:
It can detect if a rule allows applications that are no longer in use.
It can identify rules with excessive permissions, enabling administrators to refine them for better security and performance.By addressing these issues, Policy Optimizer helps reduce the attack surface and improves the overall manageability of the firewall.
Why not "Recommend best practices on new policy creation" (Option A)?Policy Optimizer focuses on optimizingexisting policies, not creating new ones. While best practices can be applied during policy refinement, recommending new policy creation is not its purpose.
Why not "Show unused licenses for Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscriptions and firewalls" (Option B)?Policy Optimizer is not related to license management or tracking. Identifying unused licenses is outside the scope of its functionality.
Why not "Act as a migration tool to import policies from third-party vendors" (Option D)?Policy Optimizer does not function as a migration tool. While Palo Alto Networks offers tools for third-party firewall migration, this is separate from the Policy Optimizer feature.
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:
Best Practices for DNS Security Configuration.
Device-ID can be used in which three policies? (Choose three.)
Security
Decryption
Policy-based forwarding (PBF)
SD-WAN
Quality of Service (QoS)
The question asks about the policies where Device-ID, a feature of Palo Alto Networks NGFWs, can be applied. Device-ID enables the firewall to identify and classify devices (e.g., IoT, endpoints) based on attributes like device type, OS, or behavior, enhancing policy enforcement. Let’s evaluate its use across the specified policy types.
Step 1: Understand Device-ID
Device-ID leverages the IoT Security subscription and integrates with the Strata Firewall to provide device visibility and control. It uses data from sources like DHCP, HTTP headers, and machinelearning to identify devices and allows policies to reference device objects (e.g., “IP Camera,” “Medical Device”). This feature is available on PA-Series firewalls running PAN-OS 10.0 or later with the appropriate license.
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
Which statement applies to the default configuration of a Palo Alto Networks NGFW?
Security profiles are applied to all policies by default, eliminating implicit trust of any data traversing the firewall.
The default policy action for intrazone traffic is deny, eliminating implicit trust within a security zone.
The default policy action allows all traffic unless explicitly denied.
The default policy action for interzone traffic is deny, eliminating implicit trust between security zones.
The default configuration of a Palo Alto Networks NGFW includes a set of default security rules that determine how traffic is handled when no explicit rules are defined. Here's the explanation for each option:
Option A: Security profiles are applied to all policies by default, eliminating implicit trust of any data traversing the firewall
Security profiles (such as Antivirus, Anti-Spyware, and URL Filtering) are not applied to any policies by default. Administrators must explicitly apply them to security rules.
This statement is incorrect.
Option B: The default policy action for intrazone traffic is deny, eliminating implicit trust within a security zone
By default, traffic within the same zone (intrazone traffic) isallowed. For example, traffic between devices in the "trust" zone is permitted unless explicitly denied by an administrator.
This statement is incorrect.
Option C: The default policy action allows all traffic unless explicitly denied
Palo Alto Networks firewalls do not have an "allow all" default rule. Instead, they include a default "deny all" rule for interzone traffic and an implicit "allow" rule for intrazone traffic.
This statement is incorrect.
Option D: The default policy action for interzone traffic is deny, eliminating implicit trust between security zones
By default, traffic between different zones (interzone traffic) is denied. This aligns with the principle of zero trust, ensuring that no traffic is implicitly allowed between zones. Administrators must define explicit rules to allow interzone traffic.
This statement is correct.
References:
Palo Alto Networks documentation on Security Policy Defaults
Knowledge Base article on Default Security Rules
As a team plans for a meeting with a new customer in one week, the account manager prepares to pitch Zero Trust. The notes provided to the systems engineer (SE) in preparationfor the meeting read: "Customer is struggling with security as they move to cloud apps and remote users." What should the SE recommend to the team in preparation for the meeting?
Lead with the account manager pitching Zero Trust with the aim of convincing the customer that the team's approach meets their needs.
Design discovery questions to validate customer challenges with identity, devices, data, and access for applications and remote users.
Lead with a product demonstration of GlobalProtect connecting to an NGFW and Prisma Access, and have SaaS security enabled.
Guide the account manager into recommending Prisma SASE at the customer meeting to solve the issues raised.
When preparing for a customer meeting, it’s important to understand their specific challenges and align solutions accordingly. The notes suggest that the customer is facing difficulties securing their cloud apps and remote users, which are core areas addressed by Palo Alto Networks’ Zero Trust and SASE solutions. However, jumping directly into a pitch or product demonstration without validating the customer's specific challenges may fail to build trust or fully address their needs.
Option A:Leading with a pre-structured pitch about Zero Trust principles may not resonate with the customer if their challenges are not fully understood first. The team needs to gather insights into the customer's security pain points before presenting a solution.
Option B (Correct):Discovery questionsare a critical step in the sales process, especially when addressing complex topics like Zero Trust. By designing targeted questions about the customer’s challenges with identity, devices, data, and access, the SE can identify specific pain points. These insights can then be used to tailor a Zero Trust strategy that directly addresses the customer’s concerns. This approach ensures the meeting is customer-focused and demonstrates that the SE understands their unique needs.
Option C:While a product demonstration of GlobalProtect, Prisma Access, and SaaS security is valuable, it should come after discovery. Presenting products prematurely may seem like a generic sales pitch and could fail to address the customer’s actual challenges.
Option D:Prisma SASEis an excellent solution for addressing cloud security and remote user challenges, but recommending it without first understanding the customer’s specific needs may undermine trust. This step should follow after discovery and validation of the customer’s pain points.
Examples of Discovery Questions:
What are your primary security challenges with remote users and cloud applications?
Are you currently able to enforce consistent security policies across your hybrid environment?
How do you handle identity verification and access control for remote users?
What level of visibility do you have into traffic to and from your cloud applications?
References:
Palo Alto Networks Zero Trust Overview:
Best Practices for Customer Discovery:
What are two methods that a NGFW uses to determine if submitted credentials are valid corporate credentials? (Choose two.)
Group mapping
LDAP query
Domain credential filter
WMI client probing
LDAP Query (Answer B):
Palo Alto Networks NGFWs can queryLDAP directories(such as Active Directory) to validate whether submitted credentials match the corporate directory.
Domain Credential Filter (Answer C):
TheDomain Credential Filterfeature ensures that submitted credentials are checked against valid corporate credentials, preventing credential misuse.
Why Not A:
Group mappingis used to identify user groups for policy enforcement but does not validate submitted credentials.
Why Not D:
WMI client probingis used for user identification but is not a method for validating submitted credentials.
References from Palo Alto Networks Documentation:
Credential Theft Prevention
A company with a large Active Directory (AD) of over 20,000 groups has user roles based on group membership in the directory. Up to 1,000 groups may be used in Security policies. The company has limited operations personnel and wants to reduce the administrative overhead of managing the synchronization of the groups with their firewalls.
What is the recommended architecture to synchronize the company's AD with Palo Alto Networks firewalls?
Configure a group mapping profile with custom filters for LDAP attributes that are mapped to the user roles.
Configure a group mapping profile, without a filter, to synchronize all groups.
Configure a group mapping profile with an include group list.
Configure NGFWs to synchronize with the AD after deploying the Cloud Identity Engine (CIE) and agents.
Synchronizing a large Active Directory (AD) with over 20,000 groups can introduce significant overhead if all groups are synchronized, especially when only a subset of groups (e.g., 1,000 groups) are required for Security policies. The most efficient approach is to configure agroup mapping profile with an include group listto minimize unnecessary synchronization and reduce administrative overhead.
Why "Configure a group mapping profile with an include group list" (Correct AnswerC)?Using a group mapping profile with aninclude group listensures that only the required 1,000 groups are synchronized with the firewall. This approach:
Reduces the load on the firewall's User-ID process by limiting the number of synchronized groups.
Simplifies management by focusing on the specific groups relevant to Security policies.
Avoids synchronizing the entire directory (20,000 groups), which would be inefficient and resource-intensive.
Why not "Configure a group mapping profile, without a filter, to synchronize all groups" (Option B)?Synchronizing all 20,000 groups would unnecessarily increase administrative and resource overhead. This approach contradicts the requirement to reduce administrative burden.
Why not "Configure a group mapping profile with custom filters for LDAP attributes that are mapped to the user roles" (Option A)?While filtering LDAP attributes can be useful, this approach is more complex to implement and manage compared to an include group list. It does not directly address the problem of limiting synchronization to a specific subset of groups.
Why not "Configure NGFWs to synchronize with the AD after deploying the Cloud Identity Engine (CIE) and agents" (Option D)?While the Cloud Identity Engine (CIE) is a modern solution for user and group mapping, it is unnecessary in this scenario. A traditional group mapping profile with an include list is sufficient and simpler to implement. CIE is typically used for complex hybrid or cloud environments.
A systems engineer (SE) is working with a customer that is fully cloud-deployed for all applications. The customer is interested in Palo Alto Networks NGFWs but describes the following challenges:
"Our apps are in AWS and Azure, with whom we have contracts and minimum-revenue guarantees. We would use the built-in firewall on the cloud service providers (CSPs), but the need for centralized policy management to reduce human error is more important."
Which recommendations should the SE make?
Cloud NGFWs at both CSPs; provide the customer a license for a Panorama virtual appliance from their CSP's marketplace of choice to centrally manage the systems.
Cloud NGFWs in AWS and VM-Series firewall in Azure; the customer selects a PAYG licensing Panorama deployment in their CSP of choice.
VM-Series firewalls in both CSPs; manually built Panorama in the CSP of choice on a host of either type: Palo Alto Networks provides a license.
VM-Series firewall and CN-Series firewall in both CSPs; provide the customer a private-offer Panorama virtual appliance from their CSP’s marketplace of choice to centrally manage the systems.
The customer is seeking centralized policy management to reduce human error while maintaining compliance with their contractual obligations to AWS and Azure. Here's the evaluation of each option:
Option A: Cloud NGFWs at both CSPs; provide the customer a license for a Panorama virtual appliance from their CSP's marketplace of choice to centrally manage the systems
Cloud NGFW is a fully managed Next-Generation Firewall service by Palo Alto Networks, offered in AWS and Azure marketplaces. It integrates natively with the CSP infrastructure, making it a good fit for customers with existing CSP agreements.
Panorama, Palo Alto Networks' centralized management solution, can be deployed as a virtual appliance in the CSP marketplace of choice, enabling centralized policy management across all NGFWs.
This option addresses the customer's need for centralized management while leveraging their existing contracts with AWS and Azure.
This option is appropriate.
Option B: Cloud NGFWs in AWS and VM-Series firewall in Azure; the customer selects a PAYG licensing Panorama deployment in their CSP of choice
This option suggests using Cloud NGFW in AWS but VM-Series firewalls in Azure. While VM-Series is a flexible virtual firewall solution, it may not align with the customer’s stated preference for CSP-managed services like Cloud NGFW.
This option introduces a mix of solutions that could complicate centralized management and reduce operational efficiency.
This option is less appropriate.
Option C: VM-Series firewalls in both CSPs; manually built Panorama in the CSP of choice on a host of either type: Palo Alto Networks provides a license
VM-Series firewalls are well-suited for cloud deployments but require more manual configuration compared to Cloud NGFW.
Building a Panorama instance manually on a host increases operational overhead and does not leverage the customer’s existing CSP marketplaces.
This option is less aligned with the customer's needs.
Option D: VM-Series firewall and CN-Series firewall in both CSPs; provide the customer a private-offer Panorama virtual appliance from their CSP’s marketplace of choice to centrally manage the systems
This option introduces both VM-Series and CN-Series firewalls in both CSPs. While CN-Series firewalls are designed for Kubernetes environments, they may not be relevant if the customer does not specifically require container-level security.
Adding CN-Series firewalls may introduce unnecessary complexity and costs.
This option is not appropriate.
References:
Palo Alto Networks documentation on Cloud NGFW
Panorama overview in Palo Alto Knowledge Base
VM-Series firewalls deployment guide in CSPs: Palo Alto Documentation
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