Paloalto Networks PSE-Strata-Pro-24 Dumps

When assisting a customer in deploying next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) for their new physical store branches, it is crucial to address their requirements for SD-WAN, security, and data protection with a validated deployment methodology. Palo Alto Networks provides robust solutions for branch security and SD-WAN integration, and several steps align with vendor-validated methods:

Option A (Correct):Palo Alto Networks or certified partners provideprofessional servicesfor validated deployment methods, including SD-WAN, security, and data protection in branch locations. Professional services ensure that the deployment adheres to industry best practices and Palo Alto’s validated reference architectures. This ensures a scalable and secure deployment across all branch locations.

Option B:While usingGolden Imagesand a Day 1 configuration can create a consistent baseline for configuration deployment, it does not align directly with the requirement of following vendor-validated deployment methodologies. This step is helpful but secondary to vendor-validated professional services and bespoke deployment planning.

Option C (Correct):Abespoke deployment planconsiders the customer's specific architecture, store footprint, and unique security requirements. Palo Alto Networks’ system engineers typically collaborate with the customer to design and validate tailored deployments, ensuring alignment with the customer’s operational goals while maintaining compliance with validated architectures.

Option D:While Palo Alto Networks provides branch deployment guides (such as the "On-Premises Network Security for the Branch Deployment Guide"), these guides are primarily reference materials. They do not substitute for vendor-provided professional services or the creation of tailored deployment plans with the customer.

References:

Palo Alto Networks SD-WAN Deployment Guide.

Branch Deployment Architecture Best Practices:

Professional Services Overview:

The most effective way to reduce the risk of exploitation bynewly announced vulnerabilitiesis throughAdvanced Threat Prevention (ATP). ATP usesinline deep learningto identify and block exploitation attempts, even for zero-day vulnerabilities, in real time.

Why "Advanced Threat Prevention’s command injection and SQL injection functions use inline deep learning against zero-day threats" (Correct Answer B)?Advanced Threat Prevention leveragesdeep learning modelsdirectly in the data path, which allows it to analyze traffic in real time and detect patterns of exploitation, including newly discovered vulnerabilities being actively exploited in the wild. It specifically targets advanced tactics like:

Command injection.

SQL injection.

Memory-based exploits.

Protocol evasion techniques.

This functionality lowers the risk of exploitation byactively blocking attack attemptsbased on their behavior, even when a signature is not yet available. This approach makes ATP the most valuable solution for addressing new and actively exploited vulnerabilities.

Why not "Advanced URL Filtering uses machine learning (ML) to learn which malicious URLs are being utilized by the attackers, then block the resulting traffic" (Option A)?While Advanced URL Filtering is highly effective at blocking access to malicious websites, it does not provide the inline analysis necessary to prevent direct exploitation of vulnerabilities. Exploitation often happens within the application or protocol layer, which Advanced URL Filtering does not inspect.

Why not "Single Pass Architecture and parallel processing ensure traffic is efficiently scanned against any enabled Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscription" (Option C)?Single Pass Architecture improves performance by ensuring all enabled services (like Threat Prevention, URL Filtering, etc.) process traffic efficiently. However, it is not a feature that directly addresses vulnerability exploitation or zero-day attack detection.

Why not "WildFire loads custom OS images to ensure that the sandboxing catches anyactivity that would affect the customer's environment" (Option D)?WildFire is a sandboxing solution designed to detect malicious files and executables. While it is useful for analyzing malware, it does not provide inline protection against exploitation of newly announced vulnerabilities, especially those targeting network protocols or applications.

To configure GlobalProtect to authenticate users from multiple SAML identity providers (IdPs), the correct approach involves creating multiple authentication profiles, one for each IdP. Here's the analysis of each option:

Option A: GlobalProtect with multiple authentication profiles for each SAML IdP

GlobalProtect allows configuring multiple SAML authentication profiles, each corresponding to a specific IdP.

These profiles are associated with the GlobalProtect portal or gateway. When users attempt to authenticate, they can be directed to the appropriate IdP based on their domain or other attributes.

This is the correct approach to enable authentication for users from multiple IdPs.

Option B: Multiple authentication mode Cloud Identity Engine authentication profile for use on the GlobalProtect portals and gateways

The Cloud Identity Engine (CIE) can synchronize identities from multiple directories, but it does not directly support multiple SAML IdPs for a shared GlobalProtect setup.

This option is not applicable.

Option C: Authentication sequence that has multiple authentication profiles using different authentication methods

Authentication sequences allow multiple authentication methods (e.g., LDAP, RADIUS, SAML) to be tried in sequence for the same user, but they are not designed for handling multiple SAML IdPs.

This option is not appropriate for the scenario.

Option D: Multiple Cloud Identity Engine tenants for each business unit

Deploying multiple CIE tenants for each business unit adds unnecessary complexity and is not required for configuring GlobalProtect to authenticate users to multiple SAML IdPs.

This option is not appropriate.

The Best Practice Assessment (BPA) report evaluates firewall and Panorama configurations against Palo Alto Networks' best practice recommendations. It provides actionable insights to improve the security posture of the deployment. BPA reports can be generated from the following locations:

Why "PANW Partner Portal" (Correct Answer A)?Partners with access to the Palo Alto Networks Partner Portal can generate BPA reports for customers as part of their service offerings. This allows partners to assess and demonstrate compliance with best practices.

Why "Customer Support Portal" (Correct Answer B)?Customers can log in to the Palo Alto Networks Customer Support Portal to generate their own BPA reports. This enables organizations to self-assess and improve their firewall configurations.

Why not "AIOps" (Option C)?While AIOps provides operational insights and best practice recommendations, it does not generate full BPA reports. BPA and AIOps are distinct tools within the Palo Alto Networks ecosystem.

Why not "Strata Cloud Manager (SCM)" (Option D)?Strata Cloud Manager is designed for managing multiple Palo Alto Networks cloud-delivered services and NGFWs but does not currently support generating BPA reports. BPA is limited to the Partner Portal and Customer Support Portal.

DNS Security (Answer C):

DNS Securityis the appropriate subscription for addressingthreats over port 53.

DNS tunneling is a common method used fordata exfiltration, infiltration, and C2 activities, as it allows malicious traffic to be hidden within legitimate DNS queries.

The DNS Security service appliesmachine learning modelsto analyze DNSqueries in real-time, block malicious domains, and prevent tunneling activities.

It integrates seamlessly with the NGFW, ensuring advanced protection against DNS-based threats without requiring additional infrastructure.

Why Not Threat Prevention (Answer A):

Threat Prevention is critical for blocking malware, exploits, and vulnerabilities, but it does not specifically addressDNS-based tunnelingor C2 activities over port 53.

Why Not App-ID and Data Loss Prevention (Answer B):

While App-ID can identify applications, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) helps prevent sensitive data leakage, neither focuses on blockingDNS tunnelingor malicious activity over port 53.

Why Not Advanced Threat Prevention and Advanced URL Filtering (Answer D):

Advanced Threat Prevention and URL Filtering are excellent for broader web and network threats, but DNS tunneling specifically requires theDNS Security subscription, which specializes in DNS-layer threats.

References from Palo Alto Networks Documentation:

DNS Security Subscription Overview

LDAP Query (Answer B):

Palo Alto Networks NGFWs can queryLDAP directories(such as Active Directory) to validate whether submitted credentials match the corporate directory.

Domain Credential Filter (Answer C):

TheDomain Credential Filterfeature ensures that submitted credentials are checked against valid corporate credentials, preventing credential misuse.

Why Not A:

Group mappingis used to identify user groups for policy enforcement but does not validate submitted credentials.

Why Not D:

WMI client probingis used for user identification but is not a method for validating submitted credentials.

References from Palo Alto Networks Documentation:

Credential Theft Prevention

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 providesvisibility into every traffic flowacross 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 usesecurity policies based on users, applications, and data objectsto 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.

References:

Zero Trust Framework:

Security Policy Best Practices for Zero Trust:

To demonstrate compliance with Zero Trust principles, a systems engineer can leverage the rich reporting and logging capabilities of Palo Alto Networks firewalls. The focus should be on creating reports that align with the customer's Zero Trust strategy, providing detailed insights into policy enforcement, user activity, and application usage.

Option A:Scheduling a pre-built PDF report does not offer the flexibility to align the report with the customer’s specific Zero Trust plan. While useful for automated reporting, this option is too generic for demonstrating Zero Trust compliance.

Option B (Correct):Custom reportsin the "Monitor > Manage Custom Reports" tab allow the customer to build tailored reports that align with their Zero Trust plan. These reports can include granular details such as application usage, user activity, policy enforcement logs, and segmentation compliance. This approach ensures the customer can present evidence directly related to their Zero Trust implementation.

Option C:Using a third-party tool is unnecessary as Palo Alto Networks NGFWs already have built-in capabilities to log, report, and demonstrate policy enforcement. This option adds complexity and may not fully leverage the native capabilities of the NGFW.

Option D:TheApplication Command Center (ACC)is useful for visualizing traffic and historical data but is not a reporting tool. While it can complement custom reports, it is not a substitute for generating Zero Trust-specific compliance reports.

References:

Managing Reports in PAN-OS:

Zero Trust Monitoring and Reporting Best Practices:

To help a customer understand how Palo Alto Networks can bring value when adopting a Zero Trust architecture, the systems engineer must focus on understanding the customer's specific needs and explaining how the Zero Trust strategy aligns with their business goals. Here’s the detailed analysis of each option:

Option A: Ask the customer about their internal business flows, such as how their users interact with applications and data across the infrastructure

Understanding the customer's internal workflows and how their users interact with applications and data is a critical first step in Zero Trust. This information allows the systems engineer to identify potential security gaps and suggest tailored solutions.

This is correct.

Option B: Explain how Palo Alto Networks can place virtual NGFWs across the customer's network to ensure assets and traffic are seen and controlled

While placing NGFWs across the customer's network may be part of the implementation, this approach focuses on the product rather than the customer's strategy. Zero Trust is more about policies and architecture than specific product placement.

This is incorrect.

Option C: Use the Zero Trust Roadshow package to demonstrate to the customer how robust Palo Alto Networks capabilities are in meeting Zero Trust

While demonstrating capabilities is valuable during the later stages of engagement, the initial focus should be on understanding the customer's business requirements rather than showcasing products.

This is incorrect.

Option D: Ask the customer about their approach to Zero Trust, explaining that it is a strategy more than it is something they purchase

Zero Trust is not a product but a strategy that requires a shift in mindset. By discussing their approach, the systems engineer can identify whether the customer understands Zero Trust principles and guide them accordingly.

This is correct.

References:

Palo Alto Networks documentation on Zero Trust

Zero Trust Architecture Principles inNIST 800-207

Panorama is Palo Alto Networks’ centralized management solution for managing multiple firewalls. It supports multiple deployment options to suit different infrastructure needs. The valid deployment options are as follows:

Why "As a virtual machine (ESXi, Hyper-V, KVM)" (Correct Answer A)?Panorama can be deployed as a virtual machine on hypervisors like VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM. This is a common option for organizations that already utilize virtualized infrastructure.

Why "With a cloud service provider (AWS, Azure, GCP)" (Correct Answer B)?Panorama is available for deployment in the public cloud on platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. This allows organizations to centrally manage firewalls deployed in cloud environments.

Why "As a dedicated hardware appliance (M-100, M-200, M-500, M-600)" (Correct Answer E)?Panorama is available as a dedicated hardware appliance with different models (M-100, M-200, M-500, M-600) to cater to various performance and scalability requirements. This is ideal for organizations that prefer physical appliances.

Why not "As a container (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift)" (Option C)?Panorama is not currently supported as a containerized deployment. Containers are more commonly used for lightweight and ephemeral services, whereas Panorama requires a robust and persistent deployment model.

Why not "On a Raspberry Pi (Model 4, Model 400, Model 5)" (Option D)?Panorama cannot be deployed on low-powered hardware like Raspberry Pi. The system requirements for Panorama far exceed the capabilities of Raspberry Pi hardware.

Zero Trust principles revolve around minimizing trust in the network and verifying every interaction. To adopt Zero Trust, customers should start by gaining visibility and understanding the network and its transactions.

A. Understand which users, devices, infrastructure, applications, data, and services are part of the network or have access to it.

The first step in adopting Zero Trust is understanding the full scope of the network. Identifying users, devices, applications, and data is critical for building a comprehensive security strategy.

C. Map the transactions between users, applications, and data, then verify and inspect those transactions.

After identifying all assets, the next step is to map interactions and enforce verification and inspection of these transactions to ensure security.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

B:Enabling CDSS subscriptions is important for protection but comes after foundational Zero Trust principles are established.

D:Implementing VM-Series NGFWs is part of enforcing Zero Trust, but it is not the first step. Visibility and understanding come first.

References:

Palo Alto Networks Zero Trust Overview

A. Discuss the PAN-OS Policy Optimizer feature as a means to safely migrate port-based rules to application-based rules.

PAN-OS includes thePolicy Optimizertool, which helps migrate legacy port-based rules to application-based policies incrementally and safely. This tool identifies unused, redundant, or overly permissive rules and suggests optimized policies based on actual traffic patterns.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

B:The migration wizard does not automatically convert port-based rules to application-based rules. Migration must be carefully planned and executed using tools like the Policy Optimizer.

C:Running two firewalls in parallel adds unnecessary complexity and is not a best practice for migration.

D:While port-based rules are supported, relying on them defeats the purpose of transitioning to application-based security.

References:

Palo Alto Networks Policy Optimizer

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; organizationsmay 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.

References:

Palo Alto Networks Strata Cloud Manager Documentation

Palo Alto Networks Compliance Resources

Understanding the Problem:

The issue is thatAdvanced Threat Prevention (ATP) logsare visible on the firewall but are not being ingested into the company’s SIEM.

This implies that the ATP subscription is working and generating logs on the firewall but the logs are not being forwarded properly to the SIEM.

Action to Resolve:

Log Forwarding Configuration:

Verify that the Security policy rules configured to inspect traffic using Advanced Threat Prevention are set toforward logsto the SIEM instance.

This is a common oversight. Even if the logs are generated locally, they will not be forwarded unless explicitly configured.

Configuration steps to verify in the Palo Alto Networks firewall:

Go toPolicies > Security Policiesand check the "Log Forwarding" profile applied.

Ensure the "Log Forwarding" profile includes the correct settings to forwardThreat Logsto the SIEM.

Go toDevice > Log Settingsand ensure the firewall is set to forward Threat logs to the desired Syslog or SIEM destination.

Why Not the Other Options?

A (Enable the Threat Prevention license):

The problem does not relate to the license; the administrator already confirmed the license is active.

B (Check with the SIEM vendor):

While verifying SIEM functionality is important, the first step is to ensure the logs are being forwarded correctly from the firewall to the SIEM. This is under the systems administrator’s control.

C (Have the SIEM vendor troubleshoot):

This step should only be takenafterconfirming the logs are forwarded properly from the firewall.

References from Palo Alto Networks Documentation:

Log Forwarding and Security Policy Configuration

Advanced Threat Prevention Configuration Guide

Firewall Sizing Tool (Answer B):

Thefirewall sizing toolis the most accurate way to determine the suitable firewall model based on specific customer requirements, such as throughput, connections per second, and enabled features like App-ID and Threat Prevention.

By inputting traffic patterns, feature requirements, and performance needs, the sizing tool provides tailored recommendations.

Why Not A:

While uploading traffic logs to the calculator tool may help analyze traffic trends, it is not the primary method for determining firewall sizing.

Why Not C or D:

Theproduct configurator toolandproduct selector toolare not designed for detailed performance analysis based on real-world requirements like connections per second or enabled features.

References from Palo Alto Networks Documentation:

Firewall Sizing Guide

Populating user-to-IP mappings is a critical function for enabling user-based policy enforcement in Palo Alto Networks firewalls. The following two methods are valid ways to populate these mappings:

Why "XML API" (Correct Answer A)?The XML API allows external systems to programmatically send user-to-IP mapping information to the firewall. This is a highly flexible method, particularly when user information is available from an external system that integrates via the API. This method is commonly used in environments where the mapping data is maintained in a centralized database or monitoring system.

Why "User-ID" (Correct Answer C)?User-ID is a core feature of Palo Alto Networks firewalls that allows for the dynamic identification of users and their corresponding IP addresses. User-ID agents can pull this data from various sources, such as Active Directory, Syslog servers, and more. This is one of the most common and reliable methods to maintain user-to-IP mappings.

Why not "Captive portal" (Option B)?Captive portal is a mechanism for authenticating users when they access the network. While it can indirectly contribute to user-to-IP mapping, it is not a direct method to populate these mappings. Instead, it prompts users to authenticate, after which User-ID handles the mapping.

Why not "SCP log ingestion" (Option D)?SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) is a file transfer protocol and does not have any functionality related to populating user-to-IP mappings. Log ingestion via SCP is not a valid way to map users to IP addresses.

Aperimeter firewallis traditionally deployed at the boundary of a network to protect it from external threats. It provides a variety of protections, including blocking unauthorized access, inspecting traffic flows, and safeguarding sensitive resources. Here is how the options apply:

Option A (Correct):Perimeter firewalls providenetwork layer protectionby filtering and inspecting traffic entering or leaving the network at the outer edge. This is one of their primary roles.

Option B:Power utilization is not a functional or architectural aspect of a firewall and is irrelevant when describing the purpose of a perimeter firewall.

Option C:Securing east-west traffic is more aligned withdata center firewalls, whichmonitor lateral (east-west) movement of traffic within a virtualized or segmented environment. A perimeter firewall focuses on north-south traffic instead.

Option D (Correct):A perimeter firewall primarily securesnorth-south traffic, which refers to traffic entering and leaving the network. It ensures that inbound and outbound traffic adheres to security policies.

Option E (Correct):Perimeter firewalls play a critical role inguarding against external attacks, such as DDoS attacks, malicious IP traffic, and other unauthorized access attempts.

References:

Palo Alto Networks Firewall Deployment Use Cases:

Security Reference Architecture for North-South Traffic Control.

Prisma Access (Answer A):

Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) and Panorama provide centralized visibility and management forPrisma 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 monitorPalo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls(NGFWs) deployed in on-premise, hybrid, or multi-cloud environments.

Prisma SD-WAN (Answer E):

SCM and Panorama integrate withPrisma SD-WANto manage branch connectivity and security, ensuring seamless operation in an SD-WAN environment.

Why Not B:

Prisma Cloudis 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.

References from Palo Alto Networks Documentation:

Strata Cloud Manager Overview

Panorama Features and Benefits