A Complete Palo Alto Certification Guide

Palo Alto Networks is recognized around the world as a leading provider of cybersecurity products. Palo Alto Networks certification validates an IT professional's knowledge and skills in security management using Palo Alto products. It is a valuable credential for those seeking advancement in the field of IT security.

The aim of the Palo Alto certification path is to give IT professionals the opportunity to demonstrate the skills required to secure the internet. The Palo Alto certifications exams include three levels of certification, designed to take the learner from beginner to expert.

Palo Alto certification training is available from Palo Alto Networks, as well as other providers like CBT Nuggets. You may also want to learn from the Palo Alto certification study guide, titled "Cybersecurity Survival Guide: Principles & Best Practices."

We discuss below a number of topics about getting certified in Palo Alto Networks. We look at individual exams, and offer comparisons between Palo Alto Networks and competitor Check Point. We also help you consider what a Palo Alto Networks certification might do for your career. And finally, we discuss training options, including those offered by CBT Nuggets. Here is what's included:

• Palo Alto Certification Guide

• What is Palo Alto Certification?

• Palo Alto vs. Check Point

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (PCCSA)

• How Much Does It Cost to Get Palo Alto Certified?

• Palo Alto Recertification and Renewal

• Palo Alto Certification Salary and Career Information

What is Palo Alto Certification?

Palo Alto certification currently includes the PCCSA, PCNSA, and PCNSE exams. According to Palo Alto, the focus is on the critical skills required to develop infrastructure, mitigate threats, and prevent successful cyberattacks. Certified professionals will have an understanding of how to use Palo Alto hardware and software to protect IT assets from attack.

Palo Alto vs. Check Point

The selection of a security product, such as those offered by Palo Alto Networks or Check Point, is a matter for managers and procurement personnel. But as an IT professional, you will be deciding which certification is best for you and your career. At first glance, it's clear that both platforms are leading solutions for the security-conscious enterprise, and both are on the higher end in their category.

Both certifications also have three levels of certification. They are both product-specific certifications, focusing on the security offerings of each company. The salary expectations are also similar at $90,000 to $100,000 on average. In terms of market share, Palo Alto and Check Point seem to stay right on the heels of competitor Cisco.

Palo Alto exams move from newcomer to expert. The Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (PCCSA) certification validates that IT professionals have knowledge about today's cyberthreats. A Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) can operate next-generation firewalls to protect networks. And at the engineer level, the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) knows about configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Palo Alto implementations.

Check Point certifications deal with many of the same topics. The Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) exam covers basic topics related to network security, including VPNs and security policy management. The Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE) deals with more advanced information such as the configuration of security technologies and platforms. The Check Point Certified Master (CCSM) certification demonstrates mastery of Check Point-related security management. Lastly, the Check Point Managed Security Expert (CCMSE) specifically targets advanced topics related to Multi-domain Security Management (MDM).

The main differences between Palo Alto and Check Point certifications are the products supported. There does not appear to be a clear advantage of pursuing one certification over the other in terms of career.

Very often, IT professionals decide to work on a specific certification because they are already working on the product. If your IT shop supports Check Point, then it's probably a good idea to work on Check Point certification. The same would be true for Palo Alto Networks. From here, it appears to be a tossup.

Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (PCCSA)

The Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate certification is designed for IT professionals who are just beginning in the field of cybersecurity.

The PCCSA is the lowest level in the Palo Alto Networks certification path, and validates knowledge in these areas:

• Cybersecurity Landscape

• Cyberthreats and the Cyberattack Lifecycle

• Cyberattack Techniques and Types

• Wireless Threats and Advanced Threats

• Cloud Security and Data Center Security

• Network Security Technology

• Packet Encapsulation and Lifecycle

• Malware Analysis

Required exam: Earning the PCSSA certification requires passing one exam — the Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate exam.

Prerequisites: None.

Required experience: Palo Alto Networks recommends a basic understanding of networking and cybersecurity and up-to-date knowledge on cyber threats prior to attempting this certification exam.

Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)

The Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator certification is designed for IT professionals who can demonstrate a detailed knowledge of core features and functions of Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewalls.

This PCNSA certification is an advanced level of certification in the Palo Alto certification path, and it deals with various security administration tasks:

• Next-Generation Security Platform and Architecture

• Firewall Configuration

• Security and NAT Policies

• App-ID™

• Content-ID™

• LO ALTO NETWORKS PCNSA FAQ 3

• User-ID™

• URL Filtering

• Monitoring and Reporting

• Security Best Practices

Required exam: Earning the PCNSA certification requires passing one exam — the Certified Network Security Administrator exam.

Prerequisites: The PCCSA is not specified as a prerequisite for PCNSA, but it is highly recommended.

Required experience: Palo Alto Networks recommends advanced knowledge of networking and cybersecurity and considerable experience deploying Palo Alto firewalls prior to attempting this certification exam.

Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)

The Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) certification is designed for IT professionals with considerable experience and expertise in Palo Alto Networks technologies.

The PCNSE is an advanced-level certification in the Palo Alto certification path and deals with various security administration topics, including:

• Security Management Concepts

• Deployment and Configuration of Palo Alto Hardware and Software

• Management and Operation of Security Platforms

• Troubleshooting of Network Security Issues

Required exam: Earning the PCNSE certification requires passing one exam — the Certified Network Security Engineer exam.

Prerequisite: None. The PCCSA and PCNSA are not specified as a prerequisite for the PCNSE, but they are recommended.

Required experience: Prior to attempting this certification exam, Palo Alto Networks recommends advanced knowledge of networking and cybersecurity and extensive experience working with Palo Alto security products, including PAN-OS® software, Panorama, and GlobalProtect. Candidates should be capable of designing, deploying, configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting the vast majority of Palo Alto Networks Operating Platform implementations.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Palo Alto Certified?

Palo Alto Networks certification exams are proctored by the testing company Pearson VUE. The cost of these exams is significantly less than many other IT certifications we've discussed. The certification system has a simple pricing scheme. The PCCSA costs $100 (USD), the PCNSA costs $140 (USD), and the PCNSE costs $160 (USD).

Palo Alto Recertification and Renewal

Like Check Point, Palo Alto Networks certifications expire after two years (24 months). But you can keep the PCCSA certification valid by taking any of the three certifications. To recertify with the PCNSA, you can take either the PCNSA again or take PCNSE. The PCNSE can only be recertified by retaking the PCNSE exam.

Palo Alto Certification Salary and Career Information

According to Payscale, IT professionals with a Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) certification can expect to earn around $93,000 per year. No figures are available on Payscale for the PCCSA or PCNSA. Those with PCCSA or PCNSA might expect to make a bit less than with the PCNSE, but a lot depends on the level of experience. Payscale lists the following average salaries for the PCNSE (in USD):

• Network Security Engineer: $110,000

• Network Engineer: $71,899

• Network Architect: $122,607

• Security Consultant, (Computing / Networking / Information Technology): $102,750

• Senior Security Consultant: $147,395

• Security Engineer: $87,500

• Sr. Network Engineer: $115,000

Palo Alto Networks certifications may be among the easier certifications to get for those trying to break into the information security field. And the price is very low compared to other certifications. Of course, many people seek certifications because they are already working on a certain product.

Your decision to pursue Palo Alto certification may depend on whether you believe that you will be working on Palo Alto Networks certifications in your career as an IT professional. Considering the earnings potential and opportunities for Palo Alto Networks certified IT professionals, it's well worth considering.

Palo Alto Certification Training

CBT Nuggets offers the following Palo Alto Networks training from Keith Barker.

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET)

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)

• Palo Alto NGFW Next-Generation Firewall

Please note that we constantly update our training library, so check regularly for new Palo Alto training.

In addition to quality, entertaining video training created by expert-level trainers, CBT Nuggets provides everything a learner needs to study for IT certification exams, including virtual labs, supplemental files, practice exams, and access to a robust Learner Community.

All CBT Nuggets training provides learners with custom virtual labs or supplemental files to learn technical concepts alongside the video training. Virtual labs were designed by experts to help learners gain hands-on experience in a sandbox environment. NuggetLab supplemental files include practice commands, configuration files, and network diagrams — everything a learner needs to study for a certification exam.

CBT Nuggets learners should also take advantage of the Kaplan® IT Training Practice Exams included with a subscription to CBT Nuggets. Practice exams can either be taken timed or untimed, and provide a good baseline for learners to test their knowledge. Additionally, Kaplan® IT Training Practice Exams evaluate a learner's strengths and weaknesses, so they know where to focus their attention while studying.