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Per reference architecture, which default PAN-OS configuration should be overridden to make VM-Series firewall deployments in the public cloud more secure?
The default interzone rule in PAN-OS is typically set to 'deny.' While this is generally secure, the logging is not enabled by default. In public cloud deployments, enabling logging for the interzone-default rule is crucial for visibility and troubleshooting.
Why C is correct: Overriding the action of the interzone-default rule is generally not recommended (unless you have very specific requirements). The default 'deny' action is a core security principle. However, overriding the logging is essential. By enabling logging, you gain visibility into any traffic that is denied by this default rule, which is vital for security auditing and troubleshooting connectivity issues.
Why A, B, and D are incorrect:
A: The intrazone-default rule allows traffic within the same zone by default. While logging is always good practice, it's less critical than logging denied interzone traffic.
B: The default service for the interzone rule is 'any,' which is appropriate given the default action is 'deny.' Changing the service doesn't inherently improve security in the context of a default deny rule.
D: Similar to B, changing the service on the intrazone rule is not the primary security concern in cloud deployments.
Palo Alto Networks Reference:
While there isn't one specific document stating 'always enable logging on the interzone-default rule in the cloud,' this is a best practice emphasized in various Palo Alto Networks resources related to cloud security and VM-Series deployments.
Look for guidance in:
VM-Series Deployment Guides for your cloud provider (AWS, Azure, GCP): These guides often contain security best practices, including recommendations for logging.
Best Practice Assessment (BPA) checks: The BPA tool often flags missing logging on interzone rules as a finding.
Live Online training for VM-Series and Cloud Security: Palo Alto Networks training courses frequently emphasize the importance of logging for visibility and troubleshooting in cloud environments.
The core principle is that in cloud environments, network visibility is paramount. Logging denied traffic is a critical component of that visibility.
Which three statements describe the functionality of Dynamic Address Groups and tags? (Choose three.)
Dynamic Address Groups (DAGs) use tags to dynamically populate their membership.
Why A, B, and C are correct:
A . Static tags are part of the configuration on the firewall, while dynamic tags are part of the runtime configuration: Static tags are configured directly on objects. Dynamic tags are applied based on runtime conditions (e.g., by the VM Monitoring agent or User-ID agent).
B . Dynamic Address Groups that are referenced in Security policies must be committed on the firewall: Like any configuration change that affects security policy, changes to DAGs (including tag associations) must be committed to take effect.
C . To dynamically register tags, use either the XML API or the VM Monitoring agent on the firewall or on the User-ID agent: These are the mechanisms for dynamically applying tags based on events or conditions.
Why D and E are incorrect:
D . IP-Tag registrations to Dynamic Address Groups must be committed on the firewall after each change: While changes to the configuration of a DAG (like adding a new tag filter) require a commit, the registration of IP addresses with tags does not. The DAG membership updates dynamically as tags are applied and removed.
E . Dynamic Address Groups use tags as filtering criteria to determine their members, and filters do not use logical operators: DAG filters do support logical operators (AND, OR) to create more complex membership criteria.
Palo Alto Networks Reference:
PAN-OS Administrator's Guide: The section on Dynamic Address Groups provides details on how they work, including the use of tags as filters and the mechanisms for dynamic tag registration.
VM Monitoring and User-ID Agent Documentation: These documents explain how these components can be used to dynamically apply tags.
The documentation confirms the correct statements regarding static vs. dynamic tags, the need to commit DAG changes, and the methods for dynamic tag registration. It also clarifies that DAG filters do use logical operators and that IP-tag registrations themselves don't require commits.
Which use case is valid for Strata Cloud Manager (SCM)?
The question asks about the primary purpose of the pan-os-python SDK.
D . To provide a Python interface to interact with PAN-OS firewalls and Panorama: This is the correct answer. The pan-os-python SDK (Software Development Kit) is designed to allow Python scripts and applications to interact programmatically with Palo Alto Networks firewalls (running PAN-OS) and Panorama. It provides functions and classes that simplify tasks like configuration management, monitoring, and automation.
Why other options are incorrect:
A . To create a Python-based firewall that is compatible with the latest PAN-OS: The pan-os-python SDK is not about creating a firewall itself. It's a tool for interacting with existing PAN-OS firewalls.
B . To replace the PAN-OS web interface with a Python-based interface: While you can build custom tools and interfaces using the SDK, its primary purpose is not to replace the web interface. The web interface remains the standard management interface.
C . To automate the deployment of PAN-OS firewalls by using Python: While the SDK can be used as part of an automated deployment process (e.g., in conjunction with tools like Terraform or Ansible), its core purpose is broader: to provide a general Python interface for interacting with PAN-OS and Panorama, not just for deployment.
Palo Alto Networks Reference:
The primary reference is the official pan-os-python SDK documentation, which can be found on GitHub (usually in the Palo Alto Networks GitHub organization) and is referenced on the Palo Alto Networks Developer portal. Searching for 'pan-os-python' on the Palo Alto Networks website or on GitHub will locate the official repository.
The documentation will clearly state that the SDK's purpose is to:
Provide a Pythonic way to interact with PAN-OS devices.
Abstract the underlying XML API calls, making it easier to write scripts.
Support various operations, including configuration, monitoring, and operational commands.
The documentation will contain examples demonstrating how to use the SDK to perform various tasks, reinforcing its role as a Python interface for PAN-OS and Panorama.
Which statement correctly describes behavior when using Ansible to automate configuration changes on a PAN-OS firewall or in Panorama?
Ansible interacts with PAN-OS through its API.
Why C is correct: Ansible uses the PAN-OS XML API to manage configurations. This allows for programmatic interaction and automation.
Why A, B, and D are incorrect:
A . Ansible can only be used to automate configuration changes on physical firewalls but not virtual firewalls: Ansible can manage both physical (PA-Series) and virtual (VM-Series, CN-Series) firewalls.
B . Ansible requires direct access to the firewall's CLI to make changes: Ansible does not require direct CLI access. It uses the API, which is more structured and secure.
D . Ansible requires the use of Python to create playbooks: While Ansible playbooks are written in YAML, you don't need to write Python code directly. Ansible modules handle the underlying API interactions. The pan-os-python SDK is a separate tool that can be used for more complex automation tasks, but it's not required for basic Ansible playbooks.
Palo Alto Networks Reference:
Ansible Collections for Palo Alto Networks: These collections, available on Ansible Galaxy, provide modules for interacting with PAN-OS via the API.
Palo Alto Networks Documentation on API Integration: The API documentation describes how to use the XML API for configuration management.
Palo Alto Networks GitHub Repositories: Palo Alto Networks provides examples and resources on using Ansible with PAN-OS.
Which two software firewall types can protect egress traffic from workloads attached to an Azure vWAN hub? (Choose two.)
Azure vWAN (Virtual WAN) is a networking service that connects on-premises locations, branches, and Azure virtual networks. Protecting egress traffic from workloads attached to a vWAN hub requires a solution that can integrate with the vWAN architecture.
A . Cloud NGFW: Cloud NGFW is designed for cloud environments and integrates directly with Azure networking services, including vWAN. It can be deployed as a secured virtual hub or as a spoke VNet insertion to protect egress traffic.
B . PA-Series: PA-Series are hardware appliances and are not directly deployable within Azure vWAN. They would require complex configurations involving on-premises connectivity and backhauling traffic, which is not a typical or recommended vWAN design.
C . CN-Series: CN-Series is designed for containerized environments and is not suitable for protecting general egress traffic from workloads connected to a vWAN hub.
D . VM-Series: VM-Series firewalls can be deployed in Azure virtual networks that are connected to the vWAN hub. They can then be configured to inspect and control egress traffic. This is a common deployment model for VM-Series in Azure.
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