Prepare for the Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall exam with our extensive collection of questions and answers. These practice Q&A are updated according to the latest syllabus, providing you with the tools needed to review and test your knowledge.
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A customer sees unusually high DNS traffic to an unfamiliar IP address. Which Palo Alto Networks Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) subscription should be enabled to further inspect this traffic?
The appropriate CDSS subscription to inspect and mitigate suspicious DNS traffic is Advanced DNS Security. Here's why:
Advanced DNS Security protects against DNS-based threats, including domain generation algorithms (DGA), DNS tunneling (often used for data exfiltration), and malicious domains used in attacks. It leverages machine learning to detect and block DNS traffic associated with command-and-control servers or other malicious activities. In this case, unusually high DNS traffic to an unfamiliar IP address is likely indicative of a DNS-based attack or malware activity, making this the most suitable service.
Option A: Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) focuses on identifying and blocking sophisticated threats in network traffic, such as exploits and evasive malware. While it complements DNS Security, it does not specialize in analyzing DNS-specific traffic patterns.
Option B: Advanced WildFire focuses on detecting and preventing file-based threats, such as malware delivered via email attachments or web downloads. It does not provide specific protection for DNS-related anomalies.
Option C: Advanced URL Filtering is designed to prevent access to malicious or inappropriate websites based on their URLs. While DNS may be indirectly involved in resolving malicious websites, this service does not directly inspect DNS traffic patterns for threats.
Option D (Correct): Advanced DNS Security specifically addresses DNS-based threats. By enabling this service, the customer can detect and block DNS queries to malicious domains and investigate anomalous DNS behavior like the high traffic observed in this scenario.
How to Enable Advanced DNS Security:
Ensure the firewall has a valid Advanced DNS Security license.
Navigate to Objects > Security Profiles > Anti-Spyware.
Enable DNS Security under the 'DNS Signatures' section.
Apply the Anti-Spyware profile to the relevant Security Policy to enforce DNS Security.
Palo Alto Networks Advanced DNS Security Overview: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/dns-security
Best Practices for DNS Security Configuration.
A systems engineer (SE) has joined a team to work with a managed security services provider (MSSP) that is evaluating PAN-OS for edge connections to their customer base. The MSSP is concerned about how to efficiently handle routing with all of its customers, especially how to handle BGP peering, because it has created a standard set of rules and settings that it wants to apply to each customer, as well as to maintain and update them. The solution requires logically separated BGP peering setups for each customer. What should the SE do to increase the probability of Palo Alto Networks being awarded the deal?
To address the MSSP's requirement for logically separated BGP peering setups while efficiently managing standard routing rules and updates, Palo Alto Networks offers the Advanced Routing Engine introduced in PAN-OS 11.0. The Advanced Routing Engine enhances routing capabilities, including support for logical routers, which is critical in this scenario.
Why A is Correct
Logical routers enable the MSSP to create isolated BGP peering configurations for each customer.
The Advanced Routing Engine allows the MSSP to share standard routing profiles (such as filters, policies, or maps) across logical routers, simplifying the deployment and maintenance of routing configurations.
This approach ensures scalability, as each logical router can handle the unique needs of a customer while leveraging shared routing rules.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
B: While using APIs to automate deployment is beneficial, it does not solve the need for logically separated BGP peering setups. Logical routers provide this separation natively.
C: While virtual routers in PAN-OS can separate BGP peering setups, they do not support the efficient sharing of standard routing rules and profiles across multiple routers.
D: Virtual systems (vsys) are used to segregate administrative domains, not routing configurations. Vsys is not the appropriate solution for managing BGP peering setups across multiple customers.
Key Takeaways:
PAN-OS Advanced Routing Engine with logical routers simplifies BGP peering management for MSSPs.
Logical routers provide the separation required for customer environments while enabling shared configuration profiles.
Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS 11.0 Advanced Routing Documentation
Which two tools should a systems engineer use to showcase the benefit of an evaluation that a customer has just concluded?
After a customer has concluded an evaluation of Palo Alto Networks solutions, it is critical to provide a detailed analysis of the results and benefits gained during the evaluation. The following two tools are most appropriate:
Why 'Best Practice Assessment (BPA)' (Correct Answer A)?
The BPA evaluates the customer's firewall configuration against Palo Alto Networks' recommended best practices. It highlights areas where the configuration could be improved to strengthen security posture. This is an excellent tool to showcase how adopting Palo Alto Networks' best practices aligns with industry standards and improves security performance.
Why 'Security Lifecycle Review (SLR)' (Correct Answer B)?
The SLR provides insights into the customer's security environment based on data collected during the evaluation. It identifies vulnerabilities, risks, and malicious activities observed in the network and demonstrates how Palo Alto Networks' solutions can address these issues. SLR reports use clear visuals and metrics, making it easier to showcase the benefits of the evaluation.
Why not 'Firewall Sizing Guide' (Option C)?
The Firewall Sizing Guide is a pre-sales tool used to recommend the appropriate firewall model based on the customer's network size, performance requirements, and other criteria. It is not relevant for showcasing the benefits of an evaluation.
Why not 'Golden Images' (Option D)?
Golden Images refer to pre-configured templates for deploying firewalls in specific use cases. While useful for operational efficiency, they are not tools for demonstrating the outcomes or benefits of a customer evaluation.
A customer claims that Advanced WildFire miscategorized a file as malicious and wants proof, because another vendor has said that the file is benign.
How could the systems engineer assure the customer that Advanced WildFire was accurate?
Advanced WildFire is Palo Alto Networks' cloud-based malware analysis and prevention solution. It determines whether files are malicious by executing them in a sandbox environment and observing their behavior. To address the customer's concern about the file categorization, the systems engineer must provide evidence of the file's behavior. Here's the analysis of each option:
Option A: Review the threat logs for information to provide to the customer
Threat logs can provide a summary of events and verdicts for malicious files, but they do not include the detailed behavior analysis needed to convince the customer.
While reviewing the logs is helpful as a preliminary step, it does not provide the level of proof the customer needs.
This option is not sufficient on its own.
Option B: Use the WildFire Analysis Report in the log to show the customer the malicious actions the file took when it was detonated
WildFire generates an analysis report that includes details about the file's behavior during detonation in the sandbox, such as network activity, file modifications, process executions, and any indicators of compromise (IoCs).
This report provides concrete evidence to demonstrate why the file was flagged as malicious. It is the most accurate way to assure the customer that WildFire's decision was based on observed malicious actions.
This is the best option.
Option C: Open a TAG ticket for the customer and allow support engineers to determine the appropriate action
While opening a support ticket is a valid action for further analysis or appeal, it is not a direct way to assure the customer of the current WildFire verdict.
This option does not directly address the customer's request for immediate proof.
This option is not ideal.
Option D: Do nothing because the customer will realize Advanced WildFire is right
This approach is dismissive of the customer's concerns and does not provide any evidence to support WildFire's decision.
This option is inappropriate.
Palo Alto Networks documentation on WildFire
WildFire Analysis Reports
An existing customer wants to expand their online business into physical stores for the first time. The customer requires NGFWs at the physical store to handle SD-WAN, security, and data protection needs, while also mandating a vendor-validated deployment method. Which two steps are valid actions for a systems engineer to take? (Choose two.)
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 provide professional services for 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 using Golden Images and 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): A bespoke deployment plan considers 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.
Palo Alto Networks SD-WAN Deployment Guide.
Branch Deployment Architecture Best Practices: https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com
Professional Services Overview: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/services
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