Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)

The Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) certification is a credential offered by Palo Alto Networks, a leading cybersecurity company specializing in next-generation firewall solutions and advanced threat prevention technologies. The PCNSA certification validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in deploying, configuring, and managing Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewalls to protect network environments effectively.

Why the PCNSA certification is important?

Validation of Skills: PCNSA certification serves as a validation of an individual’s proficiency in deploying and managing Palo Alto Networks firewalls. It demonstrates that the certified individual possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to configure security policies, manage network traffic, and implement advanced security features effectively.
Industry Recognition: PCNSA is recognized as a reputable certification in the cybersecurity industry. Employers often seek PCNSA-certified professionals when hiring for roles involving Palo Alto Networks technologies, such as network security administrators, firewall administrators, and security analysts.
Enhanced Career Opportunities: Holding the PCNSA certification can lead to various career opportunities in the field of cybersecurity. Many organizations rely on Palo Alto Networks firewalls to secure their networks, and they prefer to hire professionals who have demonstrated expertise through certification.
Vendor-Specific Expertise: PCNSA certification focuses specifically on Palo Alto Networks technologies, providing in-depth knowledge of their firewall products, policies, and features. This expertise is valuable for professionals working with Palo Alto Networks solutions or for organizations that utilize Palo Alto Networks firewalls in their network infrastructure.
Security Best Practices: PCNSA certification covers security best practices and methodologies for deploying and managing next-generation firewalls effectively. Certified professionals are equipped to implement security policies that align with industry standards and regulatory requirements, enhancing the overall security posture of organizations.
Continuous Learning: Maintaining PCNSA certification requires ongoing education and recertification, ensuring that certified professionals stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in Palo Alto Networks products and cybersecurity practices. This commitment to continuous learning is essential in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity.

Course Syllabus:

Task 1.1 Demonstrate knowledge of firewall management interfaces
1.1.1 Management interfaces
1.1.2 Methods of access
1.1.3 Access restrictions
1.1.4 Identity-management traffic flow
1.1.5 Management services
1.1.6 Service routes
Task 1.2 Provision local administrators
1.2.1 Authentication profile
1.2.2 Authentication sequence
Task 1.3 Assign role-based authentication
Task 1.4 Maintain firewall configurations
1.4.1 Running configuration
1
1.4.2 Candidate configuration
1.4.3 Discern when to use load, save, import, and export
1.4.4 Differentiate between configuration states
1.4.5 Back up Panorama configurations and firewalls from Panorama
Task 1.5 Push policy updates to Panorama-managed firewalls
1.5.1 Device groups and hierarchy
1.5.2 Where to place policies
1.5.3 Implications of Panorama management
1.5.4 Impact of templates, template stacks, and hierarchy
Task 1.6 Schedule and install dynamic updates
1.6.1 From Panorama
1.6.2 From the firewall
1.6.3 Scheduling and staggering updates on an HA pair
Task 1.7 Create and apply security zones to policies
1.7.1 Identify zone types
1.7.2 External types
1.7.3 Layer 2
1.7.4 Layer 3
1.7.5 TAP
1.7.6 VWire
1.7.7 Tunnel
Task 1.8 Identify and configure firewall interfaces
1.8.1 Different types of interfaces
1.8.2 How interface types affect Security policies
Task 1.9 Maintain and enhance the configuration of a virtual or logical router
1.9.1 Steps to create a static route
1.9.2 How to use the routing table
1.9.3 What interface types can be added to a virtual or logical router
1.9.4 How to configure route monitoring
Domain 2 Managing Objects 20%
Task 2.1 Create and maintain address and address group objects
2.1.1 How to tag objects
2.1.2 Differentiate between address objects
2.1.3 Static groups versus dynamic groups
Task 2.2 Create and maintain services and service groups
Task 2.3 Create and maintain external dynamic lists
Task 2.4 Configure and maintain application filters and application groups
2.4.1 When to use filters versus groups
2.4.2 The purpose of application characteristics as defined in the App-ID
database
Domain 3 Policy Evaluation and Management 28%
Task 3.1 Develop the appropriate application-based Security policy
3.1.1 Create an appropriate App-ID rule
3.1.2 Rule shadowing
3.1.3 Group rules by tag
3.1.4 The potential impact of App-ID updates to existing Security policy rules
3.1.5 Policy usage statistics
Task 3.2 Differentiate specific security rule types
3.2.1 Interzone
3.2.2 Intrazone
3.2.3 Universal
Task 3.3 Configure Security policy match conditions, actions, and logging
options
3.3.1 Application filters and groups
3.3.2 Logging options
3.3.3 App-ID
3.3.4 User-ID
3.3.5 Device-ID
3.3.6 Application filter in policy
3.3.7 Application group in policy
3.3.8 EDLs
Task 3.4 Identify and implement proper NAT policies
3.4.1 Destination
3.4.2 Source
Task 3.5 Optimize Security policies using appropriate tools
3.5.1 Policy test match tool
3.5.2 Policy Optimizer
Domain 4 Securing Traffic 30%
Task 4.1 Compare and contrast different types of Security profiles
4.1.1 Antivirus
4.1.2 Anti-Spyware
4.1.3 Vulnerability Protection
4.1.4 URL Filtering
4.1.5 WildFire Analysis
Task 4.2 Create, modify, add, and apply the appropriate Security profiles and
groups
4.2.1 Antivirus
4.2.2 Anti-Spyware
4.2.3 Vulnerability Protection
4.2.4 URL Filtering
4.2.5 WildFire Analysis
4.2.6 Configure threat prevention policy
Task 4.3 Differentiate between Security profile actions
Task 4.4 Use information available in logs
4.4.1 Traffic
4.4.2 Threat
4.4.3 Data
4.4.4 System logs
Task 4.5 Enable DNS Security to control traffic based on domains
4.5.1 Configure DNS Security
4.5.2 Apply DNS Security in policy
Task 4.6 Create and deploy URL-filtering-based controls
4.6.1 Apply a URL profile in a Security policy
4.6.2 Create a URL Filtering profile
4.6.3 Create a custom URL category
4.6.4 Control traffic based on a URL category
4.6.5 Why a URL was blocked
4.6.6 How to allow a blocked URL
4.6.7 How to request a URL recategorization
Task 4.7 Differentiate between group mapping and IP-to-user mapping
within policies and logs
4.7.1 How to control access to specific locations
4.7.2 How to apply to specific policies
4.7.3 Identify users within the ACC and the monitor tab