Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) Practice Exam

The Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) certification validates your ability to deploy, configure, and manage Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewalls (PAN-OS). Earning this credential demonstrates your proficiency in securing networks against evolving cyber threats using Palo Alto Networks' industry-leading technology.

Who Should Pursue This Certification?

• Network Security Professionals: Network administrators, security analysts, and security engineers seeking to gain expertise in Palo Alto Networks firewalls.
• IT Professionals: Those working in IT infrastructure or security roles who want to enhance their skillset in next-generation firewall management.
• Security Enthusiasts: Individuals with a strong foundation in networking and security principles aiming to specialize in Palo Alto Networks solutions.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for taking the exam. However, a basic understanding of networking concepts, security principles, and firewall technologies is recommended.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Network Security Administrator: Configuring, managing, and maintaining Palo Alto Networks firewalls to protect enterprise networks.
• Security Analyst: Utilizing Palo Alto Networks firewalls for threat detection, investigation, and incident response.
• Security Architect: Designing and implementing network security solutions that leverage Palo Alto Networks firewalls.
• Cloud Security Engineer: Securing cloud-based infrastructure using Palo Alto Networks Cloud NGFW solutions (may require additional knowledge).

Exam Details

• Exam Duration 80 mins
• Exam Format Multiple Choice
• Number of Questions 50 Questions

Course outline

1. Domain 1: Palo Alto Networks Security Operating Platform Core Requirements

• Identify the components of the Palo Alto Networks Security Operating Platform.
• Identify the components and operation of single‐pass parallel processing architecture.
• Given a network design scenario, apply the Zero Trust security model and describe how it relates to traffic moving through your network.
• Identify stages in the Cyber‐Attack Lifecycle and firewall mitigations that can prevent attacks.

2. Domain 2: Simply Passing Traffic

• Identify and configure firewall management interfaces.
• Identify how to manage firewall configurations.
• Identify and schedule dynamic updates.
• Configure internal and external services for account administration.
• Given a network diagram, create the appropriate security zones.
• Identify and configure firewall interfaces.
• Given a scenario, identify steps to create and configure a virtualrouter.
• Identify the purpose of specific security rule types.
• Identify and configure security policy match conditions, actions, and logging options.
• Given a scenario, identify and implement the proper NAT solution.

3. Domain 3: Traffic Invisibility

• Given a scenario, select the appropriate application‐based security policy rules.
• Given a scenario, configure application filters or application groups.
• Identify the purpose of application characteristics as defined in the App‐ID database.
• Identify the potential impact of App‐ID updates to existing security policy rules.
• Identify the tools to optimize security policies.

4. Domain 4: Securing Traffic

• Given a risk scenario, identify and apply the appropriate security profile.
• Identify the difference between security policy actions and security profile actions.
• Given a network scenario, identify how to customize security profiles.
• Identify the firewall’s protection against packet‐ and protocol‐ based attacks.
• Identify how the firewall can use the cloud DNS database to control traffic based on domains.
• Identify how the firewall can use the PAN‐DB database to control traffic based on websites.
• Discuss how to control access to specific URLs using custom URL filtering categories.

5. Domain 5: Indentifying Users

• Given a scenario, identify an appropriate method to map IP addresses to usernames.
• Given a scenario, identify the appropriate User‐ID agent to deploy.
• Identify how the firewall maps usernames to user groups.
• Given a graphic, identify User‐ID configuration options.

6. Domain 6: Deployment Optimization

• Identify the benefits and differences between the Heatmap and the BPA reports.
• Heatmap Component
• Zone Mapping Feature Section