Palo Alto Networks, Inc. also abbreviated as PAWN is a leading American multinational cybersecurity company that protects myriad of organizations across networks, clouds, and mobile devices. The company was founded in 2005 by the former Israeli-American engineer from Check Point and NetScreen – Nir Zuk. The premier product of this company was the first “next-generation firewall” issued in 2007. Such firewalls are able to block threats despite of port numbers and protocols used. The company is also known for an enterprise cybersecurity platform that ensures cloud security, network security, endpoint protection and provides numerous cloud-delivered security services.
The company also founded the Cyber Threat Alliance to improve cybersecurity all over the world, and by 2018 it included such worldly recognized companies as Fortinet, Symantec, Cisco, Juniper Networks, and Check Point to mention a few.
So, the mission of Palo Alto Networks is to help organizations push forward by offering them automation, flexibility, and trusted intelligence.
Currently, the company is located in Santa Clara, California, has more than 85,000 customers from 150 countries all over the world.
The company offers two groups of products:
- Enterprise: next-generation firewalls (PA series, VM series), a GlobalProtect Service (a cloud service), Panorama (a network security control center), Wildfire (threat-analysis services based on the cloud), Traps (endpoint protection of the advanced level).
- Cloud Storage and analysis products
In 2019 the company reorganized SaaS offerings into Cortex, so they are the following ones: Cortex Data Lake, Cortex XDR, Cortex XSOAR, Hub, Prisma Cloud, Prisma Access, AutoFocus, etc.
Palo Alto Networks also developed role-based certifications and micro-credentials.
- PCCET (Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician) is the entry-level certification designed to validate candidates’ knowledge of the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity, cloud security, network security, and SOC security. The certification is intended for non-technical individuals, students, and technical professionals.
- PCNSA (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator) certification is aimed at security administrators that handle tasks related to using and managing Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls, briefly called NGFW. Such professionals are knowledgeable of the core components of the Palo Alto Networks product portfolio as well as the feature set of the Palo Alto Networks NGFW.
PCCSE, PCNSE, and PCSAE are three certifications designed for security engineers.
- PCCSE (Prisma Certified Cloud Security Engineer) checks candidate’s skills to work with Prisma Cloud platform and all its aspects. They should be able to provide broad security for apps and data across hybrid-cloud and multi-cloud environments. Individuals who are eager to prove their knowledge and skills to deal with Prisma Cloud platform are the best candidates for this designation. In addition, candidates should have some experience in handling tasks on containers, cloud architecture, and computing.
- PCNSE (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer) certification validates that this network security engineer is proficient in designing, deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls to prevent cyber attacks. Users of Palo Alto Networks products, system engineers, support engineers, as well as systems integrators are the target audience for this certification. Before opting for this designation, candidates should have 6 months of working experience in dealing with product deployment.
- PCSAE (Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Automation Engineer) accreditation validates your proficiency in analyzing and administering Cortex XSOAR security orchestration, automation, and response platform. This designation is designed for system engineers, administrators, analysts or candidates who want to perform their knowledge and skills in dealing with Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR functionality. And though this certification has no prerequisites, test-takers should have at least three years of experience with security incident management or incident response processes.
Micro-credentials offered by this vendor comprise two of them:
- PMRuA (Palo Alto Networks Micro‑Credential Remote User Administrator) designation is intended for network engineers to validate their knowledge and skills to deploy Prisma SASE. Network engineers, cyber defense analysts, security engineers, network operation specialists can obtain this credential.
- PMRnA (Palo Alto Networks Micro‑Credential Remote Network Administrator) certification checks one’s knowledge and skills to use SD-WAN and deploy Prisma SASE to ensure remote access. Thus, customer support engineers, network security associates, network operations specialists, security administrators, and technical support associates can opt for this accreditation.
