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Official specifications published by Palo Alto Networks
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NETSEC-PRO Exam Topics and Domains
NETSEC-PRO is organized into 6 weighted domains. Expect to work with Prisma Access, Prisma SD-WAN, Panorama, Strata Cloud Manager, and more.
Network Security Fundamentals
Application Layer Inspection for Strata and SASE Products
- App-ID
- Application identification
- Layer 7 inspection
- Strata platform
- SASE platform
- How App-ID identifies applications regardless of port, protocol, or encryption
- Differences in application inspection between Strata and SASE products
App-ID
Explain Application Layer inspection for Strata and SASE products
Slow Path and Fast Path for Packet Inspection
- Slow path processing
- Fast path processing
- Session setup
- First packet processing
- Hardware offload
- When packets use slow path versus fast path
- Performance implications of each path
- Session establishment flow
PAN-OS
Differentiate between slow path and fast path for packet inspection
Decryption on Strata and SASE Products
- SSL/TLS decryption
- Certificate management
- Decryption policies
- Choosing the correct decryption mode for a given scenario
- Understanding certificate requirements for each mode
- SSL Decryption
- SSH Decryption
Explain the use of decryption on Strata and SASE products
Network Hardening Methods for Enhanced Security
- Network hardening
- Defense in depth
- Identity-based security
- Applying multiple hardening methods together
- Selecting the appropriate method for a given security requirement
- Content-ID
- User-ID
- Device-ID
- Cloud Identity Engine
Apply network hardening methods for enhanced security on Strata and SASE products
NGFW and SASE Solution Functionality
Function of Cloud NGFWs, PA-Series, CN-Series, and VM-Series Firewalls
- NGFW deployment models
- Firewall form factors
- PA-Series vs VM-Series vs CN-Series vs Cloud NGFW
- Choosing the correct firewall form factor for a deployment scenario
- Understanding functional differences between firewall types
- PA-Series
- VM-Series
- CN-Series
- Cloud NGFW
Explain the function of Cloud NGFWs, PA-Series, CN-Series, and VM-Series firewalls
Function of Prisma SD-WAN
- Software-defined WAN
- ION devices
- Branch connectivity
- Prisma SD-WAN use cases and architecture
- Differences from traditional WAN
Prisma SD-WAN
Explain the function of Prisma SD-WAN
Function of Prisma Access
- SASE architecture
- Cloud-delivered security
- Remote access
- Prisma Access architecture and deployment
- Remote user vs remote network configurations
- Prisma Access
- GlobalProtect
- Strata Logging Service
Explain the function of Prisma Access
Options for Managing Strata and SASE Solutions
- Centralized management
- Cloud management vs on-premises management
- Choosing between Panorama and SCM
- Management platform capabilities
- Panorama
- Strata Cloud Manager
Identify options for managing Strata and SASE solutions
Platform Solutions, Services, and Tools
NGFW and Prisma SASE Products for Security Efficacy
- Security efficacy
- Policy configuration
- CDSS integration
Configuring products for maximum security efficacy
- CDSS
- User-ID
- App-ID
Describe Palo Alto Networks NGFW and Prisma SASE products for security efficacy
Application of Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS)
- Cloud-Delivered Security Services
- Subscription-based security
- CDSS integration with NGFW and SASE
- Understanding the purpose and use case of each CDSS subscription
- How CDSS integrates with Strata and SASE products
- Enterprise IoT Security
- Enterprise DLP
- SaaS Security
- PAN-OS SD-WAN
- Premium GlobalProtect
- Advanced WildFire
- Advanced Threat Prevention
- Advanced URL Filtering
- Advanced DNS Security
Explain the application of CDSS
Aligning AIOps to Palo Alto Networks Best Practices
- AIOps
- Best Practice Assessment
- AI-driven operations
- How AIOps helps align configurations with best practices
- BPA report interpretation
- AIOps
- Best Practice Assessment
Explain aligning AIOps to Palo Alto Networks best practices
NGFW and SASE Solution Maintenance and Configuration
Maintain and Configure NGFW Products
- Firewall maintenance
- Policy management
- Software lifecycle
Day-to-day maintenance tasks for NGFW products
- PAN-OS
- PA-Series
- VM-Series
- CN-Series
- Cloud NGFW
Maintain and configure Palo Alto Networks hardware firewalls, VM-Series firewalls, CN-Series firewalls, and Cloud NGFWs
Add, Configure, and Maintain Prisma SD-WAN
- SD-WAN deployment
- ION device management
- WAN operations
End-to-end SD-WAN deployment and maintenance
Prisma SD-WAN
Add, configure, and maintain Prisma SD-WAN
Maintain and Configure Prisma Access
- SASE maintenance
- Cloud-delivered security management
Day-to-day Prisma Access operations and maintenance
- Prisma Access
- Strata Logging Service
Maintain and configure Prisma Access
Infrastructure Management and CDSS
Maintain and Configure CDSS
- CDSS management
- Security subscription maintenance
Maintaining Cloud-Delivered Security Services
CDSS
Maintain and configure CDSS
Maintain and Configure IoT Security
- IoT security
- Device identification
- IoT policy management
Securing IoT environments with Palo Alto Networks products
- Enterprise IoT Security
- Device-ID
Maintain and configure IoT security
Maintain and Configure Enterprise DLP and Enterprise SaaS Security
- Data loss prevention
- SaaS security
- Data protection
Implementing DLP and SaaS security controls
- Enterprise DLP
- SaaS Security
Maintain and configure Enterprise DLP and Enterprise SaaS Security
Maintain and Configure Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) and Panorama
- Centralized management
- Device lifecycle management
- Configuration management at scale
Using SCM and Panorama for infrastructure management
- Strata Cloud Manager
- Panorama
Maintain and configure Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) and Panorama in network security environments
Connectivity and Security
Network Security of On-Premises, Cloud, and Hybrid Networks
- Hybrid network security
- Multi-environment connectivity
- Consistent security posture
- Securing diverse network environments
- Maintaining connectivity and security across hybrid deployments
Strata Logging Service
Maintain and configure network security of on-premises, cloud, and hybrid networks
Connectivity and Security of Remote Users
- Remote user security
- SASE for remote access
- Secure connectivity
Securing remote users across multiple access methods
- GlobalProtect
- Prisma Access
- Enterprise Browser
- Remote Browser Isolation
Maintain connectivity and security of remote users
How do I earn this certification?
Passing NETSEC-PRO earns the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Professional certification. It sits in the Network Security track.
- NetSec-Analyst - Network Security AnalystObject configuration, policy creation, and centralized management using SCM
- NGFW-Engineer - Next-Generation Firewall EngineerDeployment, networking, device settings, Panorama, templates, and rulesets
- SD-WAN-Engineer - SD-WAN EngineerPlan, deploy, configure, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot SD-WAN environments
- SSE-Engineer - Security Service Edge EngineerDeploy, configure, manage, and troubleshoot SSE environments
- NetSec-Architect - Network Security ArchitectDesign Zero Trust architectures across the network security portfolio
- SecOps-Pro - Security Operations ProfessionalComplements network security skills with SOC operations knowledge across Cortex products
- CloudSec-Pro - Cloud Security ProfessionalAdds cloud workload and application protection skills to network security expertise
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for NETSEC-PRO is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
Who should take this exam?
- Basic knowledge of securing networks of all sizes
- Configuration experience with Palo Alto Networks Strata and Prisma SASE products
- Familiarity with Panorama and Strata Cloud Manager (SCM)
- Basic knowledge of configuring hardware firewalls, VM-Series, CN-Series, Cloud NGFWs, Prisma Access, Prisma SD-WAN, and CDSS
- Understanding of best practices for Strata and SASE products
Related practice tests
- PCCPCertified Cybersecurity Practitioner
- NetSec-ArchitectPalo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Architect
- NGFW-ENGINEERNext-Generation Firewall Engineer
- SD-WAN-EngineerPalo Alto Networks Certified SD-WAN Engineer
- sse-engineerSecurity Service Edge Engineer (2025)