Palo Alto Networks PCNSE Bundle

Also known as Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer, the PCNSE certificate is an ideal option for those security engineers who want to validate their skills in deploying, managing, designing, operating, and troubleshooting Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls. This certification shows that you have an in-depth knowledge of Palo Alto Networks products and can utilize them. They include multiple separate technologies that prevent cyberattacks.

Palo Alto Networks PCNSE is the perfect option for those individuals who want to validate that they are able to correctly deploy Palo Alto Networks NGF and leverage the rest of the platform. The target audience includes system engineers, support engineers, systems integrators, as well as customers and partners. You should also know that there are no prerequisites that you need to fulfill prior to the qualification test.

Exam Details

The certification contains only one exam that you need to pass. It consists of 65-75 multiple-choice questions that should be cleared within 80 minutes. The items can also be presented in other various formats, including matching and scenarios with graphics. The test is available in Japanese and English. To be able to deal with the questions and get the passing score, you need to master the following topics:

• Planning & Core Concepts – To answer the questions from this domain, it is important to know how to differentiate between the deployment considerations of virtual form factors. You should also have the skills in identifying decryption deployment strategies, planning User-ID deployment, as well as summarizing the components of Palo Alto Networks SD-WAN deployments;
• Deployment & Configuration – A potential candidate needs to know about the configuration of App-ID, management profiles, Prisma Access, routing, GlobalProtect, SD-WAN, and decryption. It is essential to have knowledge of the configuration of NAT, User-ID, WildFire, service routes, application-based QoS, site-to-site tunnels, as well as zone, packet buffer, and DoS protection;
• Deployment & Configuration of Firewalls Using Panorama – This topic includes the details of device groups and their configuration as well as configuration of templates and template stacks. You also need to have the skills in managing firewall configurations within Panorama;
• Management & Operation – Being able to manage the HA functions and identify differences between the Heatmap and BPA reports is vital for this section. The interested applicants should have knowledge of management and configuration of log forwarding as well as planning and execution of the process for the update of the Palo Alto Networks system;
• Troubleshooting – You need to know everything about the troubleshooting process in order to succeed in this part. It evaluates your knowledge of SSL Decryption, GlobalProtect, routing, PAN-OS-based SD-WAN, physical interfaces, Traffic Patterns on the Panorama or NGFW, and site-to-site tunnels. It is also recommended that the students have the skills in troubleshooting packet buffer protection, DoS protection, and zone protection.

Further Career Path

Palo Alto Networks PCNSE is a valuable certification that can increase your credibility and competitive advantage and give you more chances to find a job with a higher salary. It can give you a needed boost to enhance your career and find your place in the industry. However, it is important to know that some of the IT certificates are valid for only a certain period of time, which requires you to perform the recertification process. The same goes for the PCNSE certification. It is valid for 2 years from the date of the exam and it is recommended that you wait at least 6 months after becoming a certified professional before taking the PCNSE test to renew your certificate. Thus, you can keep your certification in the Active status and have the skills that are appropriate for your role. To maintain your certificate, you can log in to the Certification Management System and look at the “Certifications” section.