Almost 98% of networking professionals are CCNA certified, yet they fail to land a high-paying job. Or even in the worst-case scenario, they struggle to land one. The importance of firewalls is indispensable in the modern network security landscape. Talking about firewalls, Palo Alto Firewall is considered a top Next-Generation Firewall provider.

In this blog, you’ll learn how to become a certified Palo Alto firewall expert. You will get the complete blueprint, from training paths to exam details, costs, and best resources.

Let’s begin with all the details you need to know about the Palo Alto firewall training. 

What is Palo Alto Firewall Training? Why Does it Matter?

Now that you know how to work with networks, it is time to take your skills up a notch. The Palo Alto firewall training program is meant for networking professionals who want to learn how to configure, manage and secure networks through Palo Alto Networks firewall and security platforms.

The following are the main features of the Palo Alto firewall:

• Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) Management

You get to learn the PAN-OS operating system along with the firewall architecture.

• SSL/TLS Decryption

This core component of the firewall inspects encrypted traffic for threats.

• Security Policies

Security policies form the backbone of any firewall deployment. In Palo Alto training, you learn to create, implement, and manage granular security policies that define which traffic is allowed or denied across your network.

Answering why does it matter?

Cyber attacks are increasingly sophisticated, with attackers going for weaknesses on the application level and attacking encrypted channels. Organizations require security experts who can deploy next-generation security solutions that grant total visibility and prevention of threats.

Palo Alto Networks has made a name for itself as a next-generation firewall technology leader. 

By learning about Palo Alto firewall systems, you acquire skills in one of the most used security platforms in enterprises globally. Your skillset is in high demand within the job market, and you become an asset to organizations seeking to enhance their security position.

What is the Best Certification Path for Palo Alto Firewall?

Palo Alto provides a comprehensive certification pathway for all network security/cybersecurity aspiring professionals. The complete Palo Alto certification ecosystem is divided into 4 levels. These include:

• Cybersecurity Fundamentals

• Security Administrators

• Security Engineers

• Consulting Engineers

1. PCCET - Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician

Career Track: Cybersecurity Fundamentals

The PCCET certification is for all the candidates who are new to cybersecurity and want to understand the role of the Palo Alto firewall in defending networks. You learn basic network security concepts.

2. PCNSA - Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator

Career Track: Security Administrators

With this certification, your ability to deploy, operate, and manage Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls is recognized. It is an associate-level certification that makes you proficient in basic firewall configuration and management.

3. PCDRA - Palo Alto Networks Certified Detection and Remediation Analyst

Career Track: Security Administrators/Analysts

This certification is a niche certification for security professionals. It majorly focuses on making you learn how to navigate the Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR platform. You learn about threat detection, incident response, and remediation. It is an ideal choice of certification for SOC analysts and security incident responders.

4. PCNSE - Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer

Career Track: Security Engineers

The PCNSE is an expert-level certification for all the L1/L2 Engineers and Network Administrators. Through this certification, you get to learn how to design, deploy, operate, and troubleshoot Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls. It is indeed one of the most respected certifications across the globe.

5. PCCSE - Prisma Certified Cloud Security Engineer

Career Track: Security Engineers (Cloud Security Specialist)

If you want to learn how to secure cloud environments, then you can choose the PCCSE certification. You learn how to use the Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud. It is designed for professionals who want to master cloud-native security architecture and compliance.

6. PCSFE - Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer

Career Track: Security Engineers

This certification trains you to deploy, design, and manage virtual network security using Palo Alto Networks software firewalls. It validates expertise in implementing software-based firewall solutions for distributed and virtualized environments.

7. PCSAE - Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Automation Engineer

Career Track: Security Engineers (Specialist)

The PCSAE certification certifies knowledge and abilities needed to create, analyze, and manage the Cortex XSOAR security orchestration, automation, and response platform with native threat intelligence management. This certification is ideal for professionals interested in security operations automation and response.

Conclusion

Palo Alto Networks certifications offer a comprehensive pathway for networking professionals seeking to advance their careers in cybersecurity. Whether you're starting with PCCET or pursuing expert-level credentials like PCNSE, each certification builds essential skills in next-generation firewall management, threat detection, and security architecture. The diverse specializations—from cloud security to automation engineering—ensure there's a path suited to your career goals. 

With high market demand and competitive salaries, investing in Palo Alto certification is a strategic move for long-term career growth in the security field.

FAQs: 

Q1: Do I need PCNSA before attempting PCNSE? 

While not mandatory, PCNSA is recommended as a prerequisite for PCNSE to ensure you have foundational knowledge.

Q2: How long are certifications valid? 

All Palo Alto certifications are valid for 2 years (24 months), after which you must retake the exam for recertification.

Q3: What's the passing score for all exams? 

The passing score for all Palo Alto certifications is 70%.

Q4: Which certification is best for SOC analysts? 

The PCDRA certification is ideal for SOC analysts and security incident responders, focusing on threat detection and incident response.

Q5: Can I take multiple certifications simultaneously? 

Yes, you can pursue multiple certifications, but it's recommended to build foundational knowledge first before attempting specialist credentials.