Pass the Paloalto Networks Network Security Administrator NetSec-Generalist Questions and answers with ValidTests

InStrata Cloud Manager (SCM), policies need to balanceprivacywhile ensuringsecure decryption for mobile users in Prisma Access. The correct approach involves:

SSL Forward Proxy (C)– Enablesdecryption of outbound SSL traffic, allowing security inspection while ensuring unauthorized data does not leave the network.

No Decryption (D)–Excludes personal data from being decrypted, ensuring compliance withprivacy regulations(e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and protecting sensitive employee information.

SSL Forward Proxy (C)

Decrypts outbound SSL trafficfrom mobile users.

Inspects traffic for malware, data exfiltration, and compliance violations.

Ensurescorporate security policiesare enforced on user traffic.

No Decryption (D)

Ensuresprivacy-sensitive traffic(e.g., online banking, healthcare portals) remainsuntouched.

Exclusionscan be defined based oncategories, user groups, or destinations.

Helps maintainregulatory compliancewhile still securing other traffic.

(A) SSH Decryption– Not relevant in this context, as SSH traffic is typically used for administrative access rather than mobile user web browsing.

(B) SSL Inbound Inspection– Used forinbound traffic to company-hosted servers, not for securing outbound traffic from mobile users.

Firewall Deployment– SSL Forward Proxy enables traffic visibility, No Decryption protects privacy.

Security Policies– Defines what traffic should or should not be decrypted.

Threat Prevention & WildFire– Decryption helps detect hidden threats while excluding sensitive personal data.

Zero Trust Architectures– Ensuresleast-privilege access while maintaining privacy compliance.

Why These Two Policies?Other Answer Choices AnalysisReferences and Justification:Thus,SSL Forward Proxy (C) and No Decryption (D) are the correct answers, as they balance security and privacy for mobile users in Prisma Access.

AnSSH Proxy decryption profileallowsPalo Alto Networks NGFWsto inspect encryptedSSH trafficand preventexploitationby attackers.

Toreduce the network attack surface, the two best security settings are:

Block Sessions on Certificate Errors (✔️Correct)

Prevents attackers from usingself-signed or fraudulent certificatesto bypass security inspections.

Ensures that SSH connections usevalid and trusted certificatesonly.

Block Sessions with Unsupported Versions (✔️Correct)

Older SSH versions (e.g., SSH-1) arevulnerable to exploits and weak encryption.

Ensures thatonly secure SSH protocols (e.g., SSH-2) are allowed.

A. Allow sessions if resources not available.❌

Incorrect, becausethis weakens security—attackers could exploit times when decryption is unavailable.

B. Allow sessions with unsupported versions.❌

Incorrect, becauseallowing outdated SSH versionsexposes the network toknown vulnerabilities.

Firewall Deployment– SSH Proxy decryption preventsSSH-based malware tunnels.

Security Policies– Enforcesstrict SSH version control and certificate validation.

VPN Configurations– PreventsSSH tunneling inside VPN connections.

Threat Prevention– Protects againstSSH brute-force attacks and exploits.

WildFire Integration– EnsuresSSH-based file transfers are inspected for malware.

Zero Trust Architectures– Prevents unauthorized SSH sessions withstrict security controls.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?References to Firewall Deployment and Security Features:Thus, the correct answers are:✅C. Block sessions on certificate errors.✅D. Block sessions with unsupported versions.

ABest Practice Assessment (BPA)evaluates firewall configurations against Palo Alto Networks' recommendedbest practices. In this case, theCloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS)update settings do not align with best practices, as they are currently set toweekly updates, whichdelays threat prevention.

Applications and Threats – Update Daily

Regular updates ensure the firewalldetects and blocks the latest exploits, vulnerabilities, and malware.

Weekly updates aretoo slowand leave the network vulnerable to newly discovered attacks.

WildFire – Update Every Five Minutes

WildFire is Palo Alto Networks' cloud-based malware analysis engine, whichidentifies and mitigates new threats in near real-time.

Updating every five minutesensures that newly discovered malware signatures are applied quickly.

A weekly update would significantlydelaythreat response.

(B) Antivirus should be updated daily.

While frequent updates are recommended,Antivirus in Palo Alto firewalls is updated hourly by default(not daily).

(D) URL Filtering should be updated hourly.

URL Filtering databases are updated dynamically in the cloud, and do not require fixed hourly updates.

URL filtering effectiveness depends on cloud integration rather than frequent updates.

Firewall Deployment– Ensuring dynamic updates align with best practices enhances security.

Security Policies– Applications, Threats, and WildFire updates are critical for enforcing protection policies.

Threat Prevention & WildFire– Frequent updates reduce the window of exposure to new threats.

Panorama– Updates can be managed centrally for branch offices.

Zero Trust Architectures– Requires real-time threat intelligence updates.

Best Practices for Dynamic Updates in the Precision AI BundleOther Answer Choices AnalysisReferences and Justification:Thus,Applications & Threats (A) should be updated daily, and WildFire (C) should be updated every five minutesto maintainoptimal security posturein accordance with BPA recommendations.

In this DNAT setup, HTTP and SSH traffic are directed to specific servers in the DMZ. The configuration ensures precise policy rules align with the DNAT mapping.

Rule C: Allows HTTP (web-browsing application) traffic from the Untrust zone to the DMZ. The NAT configuration maps this to Host A (10.1.1.100).

Rule D: Allows SSH traffic from the Untrust zone to the DMZ. The NAT configuration maps this to Host B (10.1.1.101).

This design segments and secures traffic while ensuring the correct mapping of applications to the servers. Both rules work in conjunction with the destination NAT policy to ensure seamless traffic flow and application-specific routing.

References:

Palo Alto Networks DNAT Configuration

Security Policies Best Practices

AZero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) connectoris used instead of aservice connectionforprivate application accessbecause it providesautomatic application discovery and policy enforcement.

Discovers Private Applications

TheZTNA connectorautomatically identifiespreviously unknown or unmanagedprivate applications running in adata center or cloud environment.

Suggests Security Policy Rules

After discovering applications, itsuggests appropriate security policiesto control user access, ensuringZero Trust principlesare followed.

Granular Access Control

It enforcesleast-privilege accessand appliesidentity-based security policiesfor private applications.

(A) Controls traffic from the mobile endpoint to any of the organization's internal resources

This describesZTNA enforcement, butdoes not explain why a ZTNA connector is preferred over a service connection.

(B) Functions as the attachment point for IPsec-based connections to remote site or branch networks

This describes aservice connection, which is different from aZTNA connector.

(C) Supports traffic sourced from on-premises or public cloud-based resources to mobile users and remote networks

This aligns more withPrisma Access service connections, not ZTNA connectors.

Zero Trust Architectures– ZTNA ensures that private applications arediscovered, classified, and protected.

Firewall Deployment & Security Policies– ZTNA connectors automateprivate application security.

Threat Prevention & WildFire– Provides additional security layers for private apps.

Why is ZTNA Connector the Right Choice?Other Answer Choices AnalysisReferences and Justification:Thus,ZTNA Connector (D) is the correct answer, as itautomatically discovers private applications and suggests security policy rules for them.

VoIP (Voice over IP) trafficishighly sensitive to network conditions, includinglatency, jitter, and packet loss. InPrisma SD-WAN, maintaining optimal VoIP quality requires dynamic path selection andreal-time monitoringof network conditions.

Recommended Initial Action: Monitoring Real-Time Path Performance MetricsWhen VoIP traffic experienceshigh latency and packet loss during business hours, the first step is toanalyze real-time path performance metricsinPrisma SD-WAN’s monitoring dashboard.

Identifies the Affected Links– Prisma SD-WAN continuously monitorspath quality metricsfor each available WAN link (e.g., MPLS, broadband, LTE).

Provides Insights on Congestion– Real-time monitoring helps determinewhether the issue is caused by congestion, ISP problems, or packet drops.

Aids in Dynamic Path Selection– Prisma SD-WAN can automatically switch to a better-performing path based on live telemetry data.

Avoids Unnecessary Configuration Changes– Without accurate diagnostics, changing VPN gateways or link tags may not address the root cause.

A. Configure a new VPN gateway connection.❌

Incorrect, because the issue isVoIP performance degradationdue tolatency and packet loss, not a VPN gateway failure.

A new VPN connectionwon’t resolve ongoing traffic congestionin the current SD-WAN path.

C. Add new link tags to existing interfaces.❌

Incorrect, because addingnew link tagsdoes notimmediately resolve latency and packet loss issues.

Link tags help classifyWAN links for application-aware routing, but the immediate priority is toanalyze performance metricsfirst.

D. Disable the most recently created path quality.❌

Incorrect, because disabling a path quality profilewithout understanding the causecould negatively impactfailover and traffic steeringpolicies.

Instead,monitoring real-time metrics firstensures the right corrective action is taken.

Firewall Deployment– Prisma SD-WAN is deployed alongside Palo Altofirewalls for network security and traffic steering.

Security Policies– Ensures VoIP traffic is prioritized withQoS and traffic shaping policies.

VPN Configurations– UsesIPsec tunnelsandDynamic Path Selection (DPS)for optimal WAN performance.

Threat Prevention– Detects and mitigates network-based attacks impactingVoIP performance.

WildFire Integration– Not directly related but helps detect malicious traffic within VoIP signaling.

Panorama– Centralized logging and monitoring ofSD-WAN path quality metricsacross multiple locations.

Zero Trust Architectures– Enforcesidentity-based access controlsfor secure VoIP communications.

Why Real-Time Monitoring is Crucial?Why Other Options Are Incorrect?References to Firewall Deployment and Security Features:Thus, the correct answer is:✅B. Monitor real-time path performance metrics.

To preventdata exfiltration in outbound traffic,Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)must have the followingsecurity profiles configured and updated:

Data Filtering (✔️Correct)

Detects and preventssensitive data leaksin outbound traffic.

Monitors forPersonally Identifiable Information (PII), financial data, and intellectual property.

Canalert, block, or quarantineattempts to send confidential information externally.

File Blocking (✔️Correct)

Preventsunauthorized file transfersover email, cloud storage, and web uploads.

Blocks file typescommonly used for exfiltration, such as.zip, .docx, .csv, and .txt.

Helps stopcovert data exfiltration through disguised files.

B. DoS Protection❌

Incorrect, becauseDoS Protection prevents volumetric attacksbut does not stopdata exfiltration attempts.

D. Antivirus❌

Incorrect, becauseAntivirus detects malware, notsensitive data transfers.

Firewall Deployment– Preventsunauthorized data leaksthrough outbound connections.

Security Policies– Enforcescontent-based and file-based exfiltration prevention.

VPN Configurations– Ensuresencrypted VPNs do not become data exfiltration channels.

Threat Prevention– Monitors forinsider threats and advanced persistent threats (APTs)attempting exfiltration.

WildFire Integration– Detectsmalware that might be exfiltrating data.

Zero Trust Architectures– Preventsunauthorized data movement across network zones.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?References to Firewall Deployment and Security Features:Thus, the correct answers are:✅A. Data Filtering✅C. File Blocking

In aPrisma SD-WAN environment, themost operationally efficient waytooptimize and secure trafficbetween branch offices and the data center is toconfigure dynamic path selection.

Monitors Real-Time Network Performance– Prisma SD-WAN continuously measureslatency, jitter, and packet lossacross multiple WAN links.

Automatically Chooses the Best Path– It dynamically routes traffic throughthe best-performing linktomaintain high application performance.

Improves Reliability and Redundancy– If a link degrades,failover occurs seamlesslyto another available path.

Enhances Security– Works inconjunction with security policiesto route sensitive traffic throughtrusted paths.

A. Ensure all branch office traffic is routed through a central hub for inspection.❌

Incorrect, because ahub-and-spoke model introduces unnecessary latencyand reducesnetwork efficiency.

Prisma SD-WAN is designed to enabledirect and secure branch-to-branch communicationwithout forcing all traffic through acentralized data center.

B. Create NAT policies to translate internal branch IP addresses to public IP addresses.❌

Incorrect, becauseNAT policies do not optimize network performance—they are used foraddress translation.

Prisma SD-WAN dynamically selects pathsbased on performance metrics, not just address translation.

C. Define security zones for branch offices and the data center.❌

Incorrect, becausesecurity zones provide segmentation and control, but they do notdirectly optimize network performance.

Whilesecurity zoning is essential, it does not solve the problem ofchoosing the best network path dynamically.

Firewall Deployment– Prisma SD-WANintegrates with NGFWsfor secure traffic routing.

Security Policies– Ensures traffic is optimizedwhile maintaining security compliance.

VPN Configurations– Works withIPsec VPN tunnelsto choosethe best available path dynamically.

Threat Prevention– Prevents attacks bydynamically routing traffic away from compromised paths.

WildFire Integration– Monitors suspicious trafficbefore dynamically selecting paths.

Zero Trust Architectures– Enforcessecure network segmentationwhileoptimizing branch-to-data center communication.

How Dynamic Path Selection Optimizes Traffic:Why Other Options Are Incorrect?References to Firewall Deployment and Security Features:Thus, the correct answer is:✅D. Configure dynamic path selection based on network performance metrics.

A company usingPrisma Accesstosecure Google Workspace accesswhileblocking unsanctioned Google tenantsmust implementTenant Restrictions.

Restricts Google Workspace Access to Approved Tenants

Tenant restrictions allow only authorized Google Workspace tenants(e.g., the company’s official domain) andblock access to personal or unauthorized instances.

Prevents Data Exfiltration & Shadow IT Risks

Without tenant restrictions, users could log intopersonal Google accountsandtransfer corporate datatoexternal environments.

Works with Prisma Access Security Policies

Prisma Accessenforces tenant restrictionsat the cloud level, ensuring compliancewithout requiring local device policies.

(A) Dynamic Address Groups

Used togroup IPs dynamicallybased on tags but doesnot control SaaS tenant access.

(C) Dynamic User Groups

Used forrole-based access control(RBAC),not for restricting Google Workspace tenants.

(D) URL Category

Canfilter web categories, butcannot differentiate between different Google Workspace tenants.

Firewall Deployment & Security Policies– Tenant restrictions enforceGoogle Workspace access policies.

Threat Prevention & WildFire– Prevents data exfiltration viaunauthorized Google accounts.

Zero Trust Architectures– Ensuresonly authorized cloud tenantsare accessible.

Why are Tenant Restrictions the Right Choice?Other Answer Choices AnalysisReferences and Justification:Thus,Tenant Restrictions (B) is the correct answer, as it effectivelyblocks access to unsanctioned Google Workspace environmentswhile allowing corporate-approved tenants.

ForwardingStrata Logging Service datatoSecurity Operations Center (SOC) toolsaligns with the"Report and Maintenance"phase ofPalo Alto Networks Zero Trust best practices.

Continuous Monitoring– Security teamsanalyze logs and alerts from Strata Logging Serviceto detect threats.

Incident Response– SOC teams uselog data for forensic investigationsand attack mitigation.

Threat Intelligence Correlation– Strata logsintegrate with SIEM/SOAR platformsforautomated threat detection.

Compliance & Auditing– Logssupport regulatory compliance effortsby maintainingdetailed activity records.

A. Implementation❌

Incorrect, becauseImplementation focuses on configuring and deploying security controls, notongoing log analysis.

C. Map and Verify Transactions❌

Incorrect, becausethis step involves identifying and mapping network transactions, rather thanreporting on security events.

D. Standards and Designs❌

Incorrect, becausethis step involves setting security baselines, butdoes not include log monitoring and reporting.

Why Report and Maintenance?Why Other Options Are Incorrect?Referen