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Official specifications published by Palo Alto Networks
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XSIAM-ENGINEER Exam Topics and Domains
XSIAM-ENGINEER is organized into 4 weighted domains. Expect to work with Cortex XSIAM, XDR Agent, Broker VM, Cortex XSIAM Playbooks, and more.
Planning and Installation
Infrastructure and Security Posture Evaluation
Evaluate the existing IT infrastructure and security posture to align with XSIAM architecture
Deployment Requirements and Resources
Evaluate deployment requirements, objectives, and resources (hardware, software, data sources, integrations)
Communication Requirements
Identify communication requirements for XSIAM components
Installation and Configuration
Install and configure Cortex XSIAM components (agents, Broker VM, Engine)
Access Control Configuration
Configure user roles, permissions, and access controls
Integration and Automation
Data Source Onboarding
Onboard data sources (e.g., endpoint, network, cloud, identity)
Feed and Integration Configuration
Configure automation and feed integrations (e.g., messaging, SIEM, authentication, threat intelligence feeds)
Marketplace Content Management
Implement and maintain Marketplace content packs
Automation Workflow Management
Manage automation workflow (plan, playbook tasks, customize, debug)
Content Optimization
Parsing Rules
Deploy parsing rules for unique data formats
Data Modeling
Deploy data modeling rules for data normalization
Detection Rules
Manage detection rules (correlation, IOCs, BIOCs, indicator/scoring rules, ASM rules)
Incident and Alert Management
Manage incident and alert layout
Dashboards and Reporting
Create custom dashboards and reporting templates
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Exception and Exclusion Management
Manage exception and exclusion configurations
Software Component Updates
Manage XSIAM software component updates (e.g., content, XDR agent, XDR collector, Broker VM)
Data Management Troubleshooting
Troubleshoot data management issues (e.g., data ingestion, normalization, parsing)
Component Troubleshooting
Troubleshoot Cortex XSIAM components (e.g., agents, integrations, playbooks)
How do I earn this certification?
Passing XSIAM-ENGINEER earns the Palo Alto Networks Certified XSIAM Engineer certification. It sits in the Security Operations track.
- SECOPS-PROFESSIONAL - Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Operations ProfessionalAdvanced professional-level certification demonstrating detection, investigation, automation, and response skills across XDR/XSIAM/XSOAR tracks
- ARCHITECT - Palo Alto Networks Certified Architect (XSIAM Track)Top-tier certification for designing complex security operations solutions • Still in development, represents the pinnacle of Palo Alto certification framework
- XDR-ANALYST - Palo Alto Networks Certified Cortex XDR AnalystComplementary skills in XDR platform for broader detection and response capabilities
- XSOAR-ENGINEER - Palo Alto Networks Certified XSOAR EngineerAdvanced automation and orchestration skills beyond XSIAM playbooks
- PRISMA-CLOUD - Palo Alto Networks Certified Prisma Cloud Security EngineerCloud security expertise to complement XSIAM cloud data source integration
- SSE-Engineer - Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Service Edge EngineerCloud-delivered security services and SASE architecture knowledge
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for XSIAM-ENGINEER.
What's changed on this exam?
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-01-30
- Announcement date: 2025-01-30
- Cortex XSIAM Platform Current Exam covers current XSIAM capabilities including XQL, playbooks, data modeling, and detection engineering • Release date: Ongoing updates
- XQL (Cortex Query Language) Latest XQL is fundamental to detection engineering, dashboards, and data analysis domains (24% of exam) • Release date: Continuous evolution
- XSIAM Marketplace Content Packs Continuously updated Content pack management is part of Integration and Automation domain (30% of exam) • Release date: Ongoing releases
- XDR Agent and Broker VM Current versions Component updates and troubleshooting covered in Maintenance domain (24% of exam) • Release date: Regular updates
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Security Operations Engineers and Security Engineers.
- Hands-on experience with Cortex XSIAM platform
- Knowledge of security operations center (SOC) workflows
- Experience with security operations and incident response
- Familiarity with scripting (Python, PowerShell)
- Understanding of XQL (Cortex Query Language)
- Knowledge of SQL for data queries
- Understanding of MITRE ATT&CK framework
- Network security fundamentals
- Threat intelligence concepts
- Prior completion of XSIAM Analyst or Security Operations Generalist certifications recommended but not required