Prepare for the Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall exam with our extensive collection of questions and answers. These practice Q&A are updated according to the latest syllabus, providing you with the tools needed to review and test your knowledge.
QA4Exam focus on the latest syllabus and exam objectives, our practice Q&A are designed to help you identify key topics and solidify your understanding. By focusing on the core curriculum, These Questions & Answers helps you cover all the essential topics, ensuring you're well-prepared for every section of the exam. Each question comes with a detailed explanation, offering valuable insights and helping you to learn from your mistakes. Whether you're looking to assess your progress or dive deeper into complex topics, our updated Q&A will provide the support you need to confidently approach the Palo Alto Networks PSE-Strata-Pro-24 exam and achieve success.
Which technique is an example of a DNS attack that Advanced DNS Security can detect and prevent?
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.
With Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) or Panorama, customers can monitor and manage which three solutions? (Choose three.)
Prisma Access (Answer A):
Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) and Panorama provide centralized visibility and management for Prisma Access, Palo Alto Networks' cloud-delivered security platform for remote users and branch offices.
NGFW (Answer D):
Both SCM and Panorama are used to manage and monitor Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) deployed in on-premise, hybrid, or multi-cloud environments.
Prisma SD-WAN (Answer E):
SCM and Panorama integrate with Prisma SD-WAN to manage branch connectivity and security, ensuring seamless operation in an SD-WAN environment.
Why Not B:
Prisma Cloud is a distinct platform designed for cloud-native security and is not directly managed through Strata Cloud Manager or Panorama.
Why Not C:
Cortex XSIAM (Extended Security Intelligence and Automation Management) is part of the Cortex platform and is not managed by SCM or Panorama.
Reference from Palo Alto Networks Documentation:
Strata Cloud Manager Overview
Panorama Features and Benefits
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?
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
While responding to a customer RFP, a systems engineer (SE) is presented the question, "How do PANW firewalls enable the mapping of transactions as part of Zero Trust principles?" Which two narratives can the SE use to respond to the question? (Choose two.)
Zero Trust is a strategic framework for securing infrastructure and data by eliminating implicit trust and continuously validating every stage of digital interaction. Palo Alto Networks NGFWs are designed with native capabilities to align with Zero Trust principles, such as monitoring transactions, validating identities, and enforcing least-privilege access. The following narratives effectively address the customer's question:
Option A
: While emphasizing Zero Trust as an ideology is accurate, this response does not directly explain how Palo Alto Networks firewalls facilitate mapping of transactions. It provides context but is insufficient for addressing the technical aspect of the question.
Option B: Decryption and security protections are important for identifying malicious traffic, but they are not specific to mapping transactions within a Zero Trust framework. This response focuses on a subset of security functions rather than the broader concept of visibility and policy enforcement.
Option C (Correct): Placing the NGFW in the network provides visibility into every traffic flow across users, devices, and applications. This allows the firewall to map transactions and enforce Zero Trust principles such as segmenting networks, inspecting all traffic, and controlling access. With features like App-ID, User-ID, and Content-ID, the firewall provides granular insights into traffic flows, making it easier to identify and secure transactions.
Option D (Correct): Palo Alto Networks NGFWs use security policies based on users, applications, and data objects to align with Zero Trust principles. Instead of relying on IP addresses or ports, policies are enforced based on the application's behavior, the identity of the user, and the sensitivity of the data involved. This mapping ensures that only authorized users can access specific resources, which is a cornerstone of Zero Trust.
Zero Trust Framework: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/solutions/zero-trust
Security Policy Best Practices for Zero Trust: https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com
In addition to Advanced DNS Security, which three Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscriptions utilize inline machine learning (ML)? (Choose three)
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
Full Exam Access, Actual Exam Questions, Validated Answers, Anytime Anywhere, No Download Limits, No Practice Limits
Get All 60 Questions & Answers