Palo Alto Networks PSE-Strata-Pro-24 Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall Exam Practice Test

Answer : B

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.

Palo Alto Networks SASE Overview

On-Premises vs. SASE Deployment Guide

Answer : C

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.

Palo Alto Networks NGFW Use Cases

Industrial Security with NGFWs

Answer : A, C

Strata Cloud Manager (SCM), part of Palo Alto Networks' Prisma Access and Prisma SD-WAN suite, provides enhanced visibility and control for managing compliance and security policies across the network. In the Premium version of SCM, compliance frameworks are pre-integrated to help organizations streamline audits and maintain adherence to critical standards.

A . Payment Card Industry (PCI)

PCI DSS (Data Security Standard) compliance is essential for businesses that handle payment card data. SCM Premium provides monitoring, reporting, and auditing tools that align with PCI requirements, ensuring that sensitive payment data is processed securely across the network.

B . National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

NIST is a comprehensive cybersecurity framework used in various industries, especially in the government sector. However, NIST is not specifically included in SCM Premium; organizations may need separate configurations or external tools to fully comply with NIST guidelines.

C . Center for Internet Security (CIS)

CIS benchmarks provide security best practices for securing IT systems and data. SCM Premium includes CIS compliance checks, enabling organizations to maintain a strong baseline security posture and proactively address vulnerabilities.

D . Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA is a framework designed to protect sensitive healthcare information. While Palo Alto Networks provides general solutions that can be aligned with HIPAA compliance, it is not explicitly included as a compliance framework in SCM Premium.

Key Takeaways:

The frameworks included in SCM Premium are PCI DSS and CIS.

Other frameworks like NIST and HIPAA may require additional configurations or are supported indirectly but not explicitly part of the Premium compliance checks.

Palo Alto Networks Strata Cloud Manager Documentation

Palo Alto Networks Compliance Resources

Answer : A, B, D

To answer this question, let's analyze each Cloud-Delivered Security Service (CDSS) subscription and its role in inline machine learning (ML). Palo Alto Networks leverages inline ML capabilities across several of its subscriptions to provide real-time protection against advanced threats and reduce the need for manual intervention.

A . Enterprise DLP (Data Loss Prevention)

Enterprise DLP is a Cloud-Delivered Security Service that prevents sensitive data from being exposed. Inline machine learning is utilized to accurately identify and classify sensitive information in real-time, even when traditional data patterns or signatures fail to detect them. This service integrates seamlessly with Palo Alto firewalls to mitigate data exfiltration risks by understanding content as it passes through the firewall.

B . Advanced URL Filtering

Advanced URL Filtering uses inline machine learning to block malicious URLs in real-time. Unlike legacy URL filtering solutions, which rely on static databases, Palo Alto Networks' Advanced URL Filtering leverages ML to identify and stop new malicious URLs that have not yet been categorized in static databases. This proactive approach ensures that organizations are protected against emerging threats like phishing and malware-hosting websites.

C . Advanced WildFire

Advanced WildFire is a cloud-based sandboxing solution designed to detect and prevent zero-day malware. While Advanced WildFire is a critical part of Palo Alto Networks' security offerings, it primarily uses static and dynamic analysis rather than inline machine learning. The ML-based analysis in Advanced WildFire happens after a file is sent to the cloud for processing, rather than inline, so it does not qualify under this question's scope.

D . Advanced Threat Prevention

Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) uses inline machine learning to analyze traffic in real-time and block sophisticated threats such as unknown command-and-control (C2) traffic. This service replaces the traditional Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) approach by actively analyzing network traffic and blocking malicious payloads inline. The inline ML capabilities ensure ATP can detect and block threats that rely on obfuscation and evasion techniques.

Palo Alto Networks Documentation: Cloud-Delivered Security Services Overview

Palo Alto Networks Technical Specifications for CDSS Subscriptions

Best Practices for Implementing Inline Machine Learning Features

Answer : B

Segregating a network into unique BGP environments requires the ability to configure separate eBGP autonomous systems (AS) within the NGFW. Palo Alto Networks firewalls support advanced BGP features, including the ability to create and manage multiple autonomous systems.

Why 'It can be addressed by creating multiple eBGP autonomous systems' (Correct Answer B)?

PAN-OS supports the configuration of multiple eBGP AS environments. By creating unique eBGP AS numbers for different parts of the network, traffic can be segregated and routed separately. This feature is commonly used in multi-tenant environments or networks requiring logical separation for administrative or policy reasons.

Each eBGP AS can maintain its own routing policies, neighbors, and traffic segmentation.

This approach allows the NGFW to address the customer's need for segregated internal BGP environments.

Why not 'It cannot be addressed because PAN-OS does not support it' (Option A)?

This statement is incorrect because PAN-OS fully supports BGP, including eBGP, iBGP, and features like route reflectors, confederations, and autonomous systems.

Why not 'It can be addressed with BGP confederations' (Option C)?

While BGP confederations can logically group AS numbers within a single AS, they are generally used to simplify iBGP designs in very large-scale networks. They are not commonly used for segregating internal environments and are not required for the described use case.

Why not 'It cannot be addressed because BGP must be fully meshed internally to work' (Option D)?

Full mesh iBGP is only required in environments without route reflectors. The described scenario does not mention the need for iBGP full mesh; instead, it focuses on segregated environments, which can be achieved with eBGP.

Answer : A

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.

Palo Alto Networks documentation on Cloud NGFW

Panorama overview in Palo Alto Knowledge Base

VM-Series firewalls deployment guide in CSPs: Palo Alto Documentation

Answer : C, D

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 applications and data.

This option is appropriate.

Palo Alto Networks documentation on Cloud Identity Engine

GlobalProtect configuration and use cases in Palo Alto Knowledge Base