NetSec-Pro Questions and Answers

Dynamic Address Groupsenable the firewall to automatically adjust security policies based on tags assigned dynamically (via log events, API, etc.). This eliminates the need for manual updates to policies when server roles or IPs change.

“Dynamic Address Groups allow you to create policies that automatically adapt to changes in the environment. These groups are populated dynamically based on tags, enabling automated security policy updates without manual intervention.”

(Source: Dynamic Address Groups)

Virtual systems providelogical separationin a single physical firewall, allowing different customers (or tenants) to have isolatedcontrolandsecurity policies.

“Virtual systems enable service providers to offer logically separated, independent environments on a single firewall. Each virtual system can have its own security policies, interfaces, and administrators.”

(Source: Virtual Systems)

This ensures secure, tenant-specific segmentation within multi-tenant environments.

IoT SecurityusesMAC address,device manufacturer, andOS informationtoidentify and classify devicesvia Device-ID.

“IoT Security uses passive network traffic analysis to fingerprint devices based on the MAC address, manufacturer, and operating system to ensure accurate classification.”

(Source: IoT Security Device-ID and Classification)

These attributes provide a robust, manufacturer-agnostic method to fingerprint IoT devices.

Content-IDis the core of Palo Alto Networks' prevention architecture, providingsingle-pass application layer inspectionto deliver real-time threat prevention across all traffic.

“Content-ID uses a single-pass architecture to perform application-layer (Layer 7) traffic inspection and real-time threat prevention. Unlike traditional firewalls that rely on multiple scans, Content-ID inspects traffic once to enforce multiple security controls simultaneously.”

(Source: Content-ID Overview)

By consolidating security functions in a single pass, it ensures both efficiency and comprehensive security.

To fully leverageinline cloud analysisin Advanced Threat Prevention, security profiles (e.g., anti-spyware) must beupdated or newly createdto enable local deep learning and inline cloud analysis models.

“To activate inline cloud analysis, update your Anti-Spyware profile to enable advanced inline detection engines, including deep learning-based models and cloud-delivered signatures.”

(Source: Inline Cloud Analysis and Deep Learning)

This ensuresreal-time protectionfrom sophisticated threats beyond static signatures.

SD-WANsolutionsoptimize application experienceand provide secure, dynamic connectivity across distributed locations by leveraging real-time path metrics (latency, jitter, loss).

“By implementing SD-WAN, traffic is routed intelligently based on real-time network performance metrics. Zone protection profiles ensure security while maximizing application performance.”

(Source: SD-WAN Architecture)

Key advantage:

Secure connectivity and best user experience across campuses and branches.

Enterprise DLP Profileis specifically designed to detect and logdata exfiltration attempts, including those involving confidential or sensitive data.

“Enterprise DLP logs capture incidents involving potential data exfiltration. They help identify sensitive data transfers, even in seemingly legitimate traffic.”

(Source: Enterprise DLP Logging and Alerts)

File Blocking and Vulnerability Protection handle files or exploit detection, while WildFire focuses on malware analysis—not direct data exfiltration.

Cloud NGFW Security Policiesin the AWS Console are evaluated in the exactcreation order– they do not have explicit rule priority fields.

“In AWS, security rules are evaluated in the order they are created. To ensure the correct evaluation logic, create them in the desired order from top to bottom.”

(Source: Cloud NGFW for AWS Policy Evaluation)

Unlike Panorama, AWS-native management of Cloud NGFWs uses creation order as the evaluation sequence.

GlobalProtect logs

These logs provide detailed insights into the user’s connectivity, tunnel status, and authentication events.

“GlobalProtect logs include detailed information about connection establishment, tunnel negotiation, and any errors that can prevent mobile users from accessing applications.”

(Source: GlobalProtect Troubleshooting)

Autonomous Digital Experience Management (ADEM)

ADEM helps visualize end-to-end performance and identifies network issues affecting SaaS app access for mobile users.

“ADEM provides real-time and historical visibility into user experience, enabling quick identification and resolution of connectivity or performance issues for SaaS applications.”

(Source: ADEM for Prisma Access)

Panorama allows engineers to createcustom reportsand generatePDF summaryformats for consistent reporting across NGFWs.

Custom Reports

“Custom Reports provide tailored reporting based on URL categories, application usage, and threat visibility. They are generated within Panorama and can include data on newly categorized AI URL types.”

(Source: Panorama Reports)

PDF Summaries

“You can generate PDF summary reports to distribute these insights across branch firewalls, providing an easy-to-read format for compliance and operational review.”

(Source: Export Reports as PDF)

Together, these options provide aconsistent, standardized methodto push insights about AI-based URL categories to branch devices.

Protecting againstmaliciousandmisconfigured domainsrequires two critical services:

Advanced Threat Prevention

Provides signature-based and advanced analysis to identify threats, including DNS-based attacks.

“Advanced Threat Prevention enables the NGFW to detect and prevent exploits and malware-based communications, including those leveraging DNS.”

(Source: Advanced Threat Prevention)

Advanced DNS Security

Specifically designed to detect and sinkhole malicious and misconfigured DNS queries.

“DNS Security uses real-time intelligence to block DNS-based threats, protect against data exfiltration, and automatically sinkhole suspicious domain lookups.”

(Source: DNS Security)

Bycombiningthese services in security policies, NGFWs ensure robust protection against domain-based threats and misconfigurations.

For IoT Security toaccurately classify and monitorIoT devices, the following logs must be forwarded to Strata Logging Service:

Enhanced application logs– provide detailed application usage and behaviors, essential for profiling device types and roles.

“Enhanced Application logs provide additional context on IoT device behavior and usage patterns, and must be forwarded to Strata Logging Service for IoT Security to build accurate Device-ID profiles.”

(Source: IoT Security Logging Requirements)

Threat logs– essential for detecting suspicious or malicious activities by IoT devices.

“Threat logs are critical for identifying potential exploits or suspicious activities involving IoT devices and are required for accurate threat visibility within IoT Security.”

(Source: IoT Security Logs)

These logs collectively ensure accurate device classification and real-time threat visibility.

To connect aremote networkto Prisma Access via Strata Cloud Manager (SCM), the remote network requires anIPSec termination node. This acts as the VPN endpoint, ensuring secure connectivity between branch locations and Prisma Access.

“To onboard a remote network, configure the IPSec termination node on the customer’s premises. This VPN endpoint establishes the secure tunnel to Prisma Access for traffic backhauling.”

(Source: Onboard Remote Networks)

Key takeaway:

The IPSec termination node is fundamental for secure, encrypted connectivity.