Palo Alto Networks PSE-SWFW-Pro-24 Practice Test - Questions Answers, Page 2

Using a Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) in a public cloud environment offers several key advantages related to security and scalability:

A . Complete security solution for the public cloud provider's physical host regardless of security measures: Palo Alto Networks NGFWs operate at the network layer (and above), inspecting traffic flowing in and out of your virtual networks (VPCs in AWS, VNETs in Azure, etc.). They do not provide security for the underlying physical infrastructure of the cloud provider. That's the cloud provider's responsibility. NGFWs secure your workloads within the cloud environment.

B . Automatic scaling of NGFWs to meet the security needs of growing applications and public cloud environments: This is a significant benefit. Cloud NGFWs can often be configured to auto-scale based on traffic demands. As your applications grow and require more bandwidth and processing, the NGFW can automatically scale up its resources (or deploy additional instances) to maintain performance and security. This elasticity is a core advantage of cloud-based firewalls.

C . Ability to manage the public cloud provider's physical hosts: As mentioned above, NGFWs do not provide management capabilities for the cloud provider's physical infrastructure. You manage your virtual network resources and the NGFW itself, but not the underlying hardware.

D . Consistent Security policy to inbound, outbound, and east-west network traffic throughout the multi-cloud environment: This is a crucial advantage, especially in multi-cloud deployments. Palo Alto Networks NGFWs allow you to enforce consistent security policies across different cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.). This ensures consistent protection regardless of where your workloads are running and simplifies security management. East-west traffic (traffic between workloads within the same cloud environment) is also a key focus, as it's often overlooked by traditional perimeter-based security.

Palo Alto Networks provides several tools to simplify NGFW configuration and ensure best practices are followed:

A . Telemetry to ensure that Palo Alto Networks has full visibility into the firewall configuration: While telemetry is crucial for monitoring and threat intelligence, it doesn't directly facilitate configuration in a simplified or best-practice manner. Telemetry provides data about the configuration and its performance, but it doesn't guide the configuration process itself.

B . Day 1 Configuration through the customer support portal (CSP): The CSP offers resources and documentation, but it doesn't provide a specific 'Day 1 Configuration' tool that automates or simplifies initial setup in a guided way. The initial configuration is typically done through the firewall's web interface or CLI.

C . Policy Optimizer to help identify and recommend Layer 7 policy changes: This is a key tool for simplifying and optimizing security policies. Policy Optimizer analyzes traffic logs and provides recommendations for refining Layer 7 policies based on application usage. This helps reduce policy complexity and improve security posture by ensuring policies are as specific as possible.

D . Expedition to enable the creation of custom threat signatures: Expedition is a migration tool that can also be used to create custom App-IDs and threat signatures. While primarily for migrations, its ability to create custom signatures helps tailor the firewall's protection to specific environments and applications, which is a form of configuration optimization.

E . Best Practice Assessment (BPA) in Strata Cloud Manager (SCM): The BPA is a powerful tool that analyzes firewall configurations against Palo Alto Networks best practices. It provides detailed reports with recommendations for improving security, performance, and compliance. This is a direct way to ensure configurations adhere to best practices.

Palo Alto Networks documentation highlights these tools:

Policy Optimizer documentation: Search for 'Policy Optimizer' on the Palo Alto Networks support portal. This documentation explains how the tool analyzes traffic and provides policy recommendations.

Expedition documentation: Search for 'Expedition' on the Palo Alto Networks support portal. This documentation describes its migration and custom signature creation capabilities.

Strata Cloud Manager documentation: Search for 'Strata Cloud Manager' or 'Best Practice Assessment' within the SCM documentation on the support portal. This will provide details on how the BPA works and the types of recommendations it provides.

These references confirm that Policy Optimizer, Expedition (for custom signatures), and the BPA in SCM are tools specifically designed to facilitate simplified and best-practice configuration of Palo Alto Networks NGFWs.

Cloud-native load balancing with Palo Alto Networks firewalls in public clouds involves understanding the distinct approaches for VM-Series and Cloud NGFW:

A . Cloud NGFW's distributed architecture model requires deployment of a single centralized firewall and will force all traffic to the firewall across pre-built VPN tunnels: This is incorrect. Cloud NGFW uses a distributed architecture where traffic is steered to the nearest Cloud NGFW instance, often using Gateway Load Balancers (GWLBs) or similar services. It does not rely on a single centralized firewall or force all traffic through VPN tunnels.

B . VM-Series firewall deployments in the public cloud will require the deployment of a cloud-native load balancer if high availability (HA) or redundancy is needed: This is correct. VM-Series firewalls, when deployed for HA or redundancy, require a cloud-native load balancer (e.g., AWS ALB/NLB/GWLB, Azure Load Balancer) to distribute traffic across the active firewall instances. This ensures that if one firewall fails, traffic is automatically directed to a healthy instance.

C . Cloud NGFW in AWS or Azure has load balancing built into the underlying solution and does not require the deployment of a separate load balancer: This is also correct. Cloud NGFW integrates with cloud-native load balancing services (e.g., Gateway Load Balancer in AWS) as part of its architecture. This provides automatic scaling and high availability without requiring you to manage a separate load balancer.

D . VM-Series firewall load balancing is automated and is handled by the internal mechanics of the NGFW software without the need for a load balancer: This is incorrect. VM-Series firewalls do not have built-in load balancing capabilities for HA. A cloud-native load balancer is essential for distributing traffic and ensuring redundancy.

Cloud NGFW documentation: Look for sections on architecture, traffic steering, and integration with cloud-native load balancing services (like AWS Gateway Load Balancer).

VM-Series deployment guides for each cloud provider: These guides explain how to deploy VM-Series firewalls for HA using cloud-native load balancers.

These resources confirm that VM-Series requires external load balancers for HA, while Cloud NGFW has load balancing integrated into its design.

Flex licensing provides flexibility in how you consume Palo Alto Networks firewall capabilities, especially in cloud environments:

A . Licensing additional memory resources to increase session capacity: Flex licensing primarily focuses on CPU cores and does not directly license memory resources. Memory is tied to the instance size you select in the cloud provider.

B . Licensing Strata Cloud Manager, Panorama with Dedicated Log Collectors, and CDSS per deployment profile: Strata Cloud Manager, Panorama, and CDSS are licensed separately and are not part of the flex licensing model for VM-Series.

C . Using a pool of credits for both CN-Series firewall and VM-Series firewall deployment profiles: This is a key benefit of flex licensing. You can use a shared pool of credits to deploy both CN-Series (containerized) and VM-Series (virtual machine) firewalls, providing flexibility in your deployment strategy.

D . Moving credits between public and private cloud VM-Series firewall deployments: This is another significant advantage. Flex licensing allows you to transfer credits between public cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) and private cloud VM-Series deployments, optimizing resource utilization and cost.

E . Vertically scaling the number of licensed cores in an existing fixed deployment profile: Flex licensing allows you to dynamically adjust the number of licensed cores for your VM-Series firewalls. This vertical scaling enables you to meet changing performance demands without needing to redeploy or reconfigure your firewalls significantly.

Palo Alto Networks Flex Licensing documentation: Search for 'Flex Licensing' on the Palo Alto Networks support portal. This documentation provides detailed information about the flex licensing model, including the benefits and use cases.

This documentation confirms that sharing credits between CN-Series and VM-Series, moving credits between public and private clouds, and vertically scaling licensed cores are core benefits of flex licensing.

After a successful software firewall demonstration, the sales team can offer additional services to facilitate the customer's adoption and ongoing management:

A . Hardware collection and recycling services by Palo Alto Networks or by an approved NextWave Partner for the customer's existing firewall infrastructure: While some partners might offer recycling services independently, this isn't a standard offering directly tied to the Palo Alto Networks sales process before a sale is completed. Recycling or trade-in programs are often handled separately or after a purchase.

B . Professional services delivered by Palo Alto Networks or by an approved Certified Professional Services Partner (CPSP) for deployment assistance or QuickStart: This is a common and valuable offering. Professional services can help customers with initial deployment, configuration, and knowledge transfer, ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing the value of the firewall. QuickStart packages are a specific type of professional service designed for rapid deployment.

C . Network encryption services (NES) delivered by an approved NES partner to ensure none of the data traversed is readable by third-party entities: While encryption is a crucial aspect of security, offering separate NES services from a specific 'NES partner' isn't a standard pre-sales offering related to firewall deployment. The NGFW itself provides various encryption capabilities (e.g., VPNs, SSL decryption).

D . Managed services delivered by an approved Managed Security Services Program (MSSP) partner for day-to-day management of the environment: Offering managed services is a common pre-sales option. MSSPs can handle ongoing monitoring, management, and maintenance of the firewall, allowing the customer to focus on their core business.

Information about these services can be found on the Palo Alto Networks website and partner portal:

Partner programs: Information about CPSPs and MSSPs can be found in the Palo Alto Networks partner program documentation.

Professional services: Details about Palo Alto Networks professional services offerings, including QuickStart packages, are available on their website.

These resources confirm that professional services (including QuickStart) and managed services are standard pre-sales options.

Several resources are available to assist with planning and implementing Palo Alto Networks NGFW solutions:

A . Technical assistance center (TAC): While TAC provides support for existing deployments, they are generally not directly involved in the initial planning and implementation phases. TAC helps with troubleshooting and resolving issues after the firewall is deployed.

B . Partners / systems Integrators: Partners and system integrators play a crucial role in planning and implementation. They possess expertise in network design, security best practices, and Palo Alto Networks products, enabling them to design and deploy solutions tailored to customer needs.

C . Professional services: Palo Alto Networks professional services offer expert assistance with all phases of the project, from planning and design to implementation and knowledge transfer. They can provide specialized skills and best-practice guidance.

D . Proof of Concept Labs: While valuable for testing and validating solutions, Proof of Concept (POC) labs are more focused on evaluating the technology before a full-scale implementation. They are not the primary resources for the actual planning and implementation process itself, though they can inform it.

E . QuickStart services: QuickStart packages are a type of professional service specifically designed for rapid deployment. They provide a structured approach to implementation, accelerating the time to value.

Information about these resources can be found on the Palo Alto Networks website and partner portal:

Partner locator: The Palo Alto Networks website has a partner locator tool to find certified partners and system integrators.

Professional services: Details about Palo Alto Networks professional services offerings, including QuickStart packages, are available on their website.

These resources confirm that partners/system integrators, professional services (including QuickStart), are key resources for planning and implementation. While TAC and POCs have roles, they are not the primary resources for this phase.

To minimize downtime when increasing throughput on a flexible-license VM-Series firewall running on ESXi, the following steps should be taken:

Increase the vCPU within the deployment profile: This is the first step. By increasing the vCPU allocation in the licensing profile, you prepare the license system for the change. This does not require a VM reboot.

Retrieve or fetch license keys on the VM-Series NGFW: After adjusting the licensing profile, the firewall needs to retrieve the updated license information to reflect the new vCPU allocation. This can be done via the web UI or CLI and usually does not require a reboot.

Power-off the VM and increase the vCPUs within the hypervisor: Now that the license is prepared, the VM can be powered off, and the vCPUs can be increased within the ESXi hypervisor settings.

Power-on the VM-Series NGFW: After increasing the vCPUs in the hypervisor, power on the VM. The firewall will now use the allocated resources and the updated license.

Confirm the correct tier level and vCPU appear on the NGFW dashboard: Finally, verify in the firewall's web UI or CLI that the correct license tier and vCPU count are reflected.

This order minimizes downtime because the licensing changes are handled before the VM is rebooted.

While not explicitly documented in a single, numbered step list, the concepts are covered in the VM-Series deployment guides and licensing documentation:

VM-Series Deployment Guides: These guides explain how to configure vCPUs and licensing.

Flex Licensing Documentation: This explains how license allocation works with vCPUs.

These resources confirm that adjusting the license profile before the VM reboot is crucial for minimizing downtime.

Cloud NGFW for Azure is designed to secure network traffic within and between Azure environments:

A . Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS): While CN-Series firewalls are designed for securing Kubernetes environments like AKS, Cloud NGFW is not directly deployed within AKS. Instead, Cloud NGFW secures traffic flowing to and from AKS clusters.

B . Azure Virtual WAN: Cloud NGFW can be deployed to secure traffic flowing through Azure Virtual WAN hubs. This allows for centralized security inspection of traffic between on-premises networks, branch offices, and Azure virtual networks.

C . Azure DevOps: Azure DevOps is a set of development tools and services. Cloud NGFW is a network security solution and is not directly related to Azure DevOps.

D . Azure VNET: Cloud NGFW can be deployed to secure traffic within and between Azure Virtual Networks (VNETs). This is its primary use case, providing advanced threat prevention and network security for Azure workloads.

The Cloud NGFW for Azure documentation clearly describes these deployment scenarios:

Cloud NGFW for Azure Documentation: Search for 'Cloud NGFW for Azure' on the Palo Alto Networks support portal. This documentation explains how to deploy Cloud NGFW in VNETs and integrate it with Virtual WAN.

This confirms that Azure VNETs and Azure Virtual WAN are the supported deployment environments for Cloud NGFW.

Palo Alto Networks Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) offer several advantages over other security solutions:

A . Individually targeted products provide better security than platform solutions: This is generally the opposite of Palo Alto Networks' philosophy. CDSS is a platform approach, integrating multiple security functions into a unified service. This integrated approach is often more effective than managing disparate point solutions.

B . Multi-vendor best-of-breed products provide security coverage on a per-use-case basis: While 'best-of-breed' has its merits, managing multiple vendors increases complexity and can lead to integration challenges. CDSS provides a comprehensive set of security services from a single vendor, simplifying management and integration.

C . It requires no additional performance overhead when enabling additional features: This is a key advantage of CDSS. Because the services are cloud-delivered and integrated into the platform, enabling additional security functions typically does not introduce significant performance overhead on the firewall itself.

D . It provides simplified management through fewer consoles for more effective security coverage: CDSS is managed through Panorama or Strata Cloud Manager, providing a single pane of glass for managing multiple security functions. This simplifies management compared to managing separate consoles for different security products.

E . It significantly reduces the total cost of ownership for the customer: By consolidating security functions into a single platform and reducing management overhead, CDSS can help reduce the total cost of ownership compared to deploying and managing separate point solutions.

Information about CDSS and its benefits can be found on the Palo Alto Networks website and in their marketing materials:

CDSS overview: Search for 'Cloud-Delivered Security Services' on the Palo Alto Networks website. This will provide information on the benefits and features of CDSS.

These resources highlight the advantages of CDSS in terms of performance, simplified management, and reduced TCO.