Palo Alto Networks

NetSec-Generalist Exam
Network Security Administrator

Questions & Answers

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Question: 1

Which Security profile should be queried when investigating logs for upload attempts that were recently
blocked due to sensitive information leaks?

A. Anti-spyware
B. Data Filtering
C. Antivirus
D. URL Filtering

Answer: B
Explanation:

When investigating logs for upload attempts that were recently blocked due to sensitive information
leaks, the appropriate Security Profile to query is Data Filtering.

Why Data Filtering?

Data Filtering is a content inspection security profile within Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls
(NGFWs) that detects and prevents the unauthorized transmission of sensitive or confidential data. This
security profile is designed to inspect files, text, and patterns in network traffic and block uploads that
match predefined data patterns such as:

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) – e.g., Social Security Numbers, Credit Card Numbers,
Passport Numbers

Financial Data – e.g., Bank Account Numbers, SWIFT Codes

Health Information (HIPAA Compliance) – e.g., Patient Medical Records

Custom Data Patterns – Organizations can define proprietary data patterns for detection How Data
Filtering Works in Firewall Logs?

Firewall Policy Application – The Data Filtering profile is attached to Security Policies that inspect file
transfers (HTTP, FTP, SMB, SMTP, etc.).

Traffic Inspection – The firewall scans the payload for sensitive data patterns before allowing or
blocking the transfer.

Alert and Block Actions – If sensitive data is detected in an upload, the firewall can alert, block, or
quarantine the file transfer.

Log Investigation – Security Administrators can analyze Threat Logs (Monitor > Logs > Data Filtering
Logs) to review:

File Name
Destination IP Source User
Matched Data Pattern
Action Taken (Allowed/Blocked)

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Reference to Firewall Deployment and Security Features:

Firewall Deployment – Data Filtering is enforced at the firewall level to prevent sensitive data
exfiltration.

Security Policies – Configured to enforce Data Filtering rules based on business-critical data
classifications.

VPN Configurations – Ensures encrypted VPN traffic is also subject to data inspection to prevent
insider data leaks.

Threat Prevention – Helps mitigate the risk of data theft, insider threats, and accidental exposure of
sensitive information.

WildFire Integration – Data Filtering can work alongside WildFire to inspect files for advanced threats
and malware.

Panorama – Provides centralized visibility and management of Data Filtering logs across multiple
firewalls.

Zero Trust Architectures – Aligns with Zero Trust principles by enforcing strict content inspection and
access control policies to prevent unauthorized data transfers.

Thus, the correct answer is B. Data Filtering, as it directly pertains to preventing and investigating data
leaks in upload attempts blocked by the firewall.

Question: 2

When using the perfect forward secrecy (PFS) key exchange, how does a firewall behave when SSL
Inbound Inspection is enabled?

A. It acts as meddler-in-the-middle between the client and the internal server.

B. It acts transparently between the client and the internal server.
C. It decrypts inbound and outbound SSH connections.
D. It decrypts traffic between the client and the external server.

Answer: A
Explanation:

Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) is a cryptographic feature in SSL/TLS key exchange that ensures each
session uses a unique key that is not derived from previous sessions. This prevents attackers from
decrypting historical encrypted traffic even if they obtain the server’s private key.

When SSL Inbound Inspection is enabled on a Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW),
the firewall decrypts inbound encrypted traffic destined for an internal server to inspect it for threats,
malware, or policy violations.

Firewall Behavior with PFS and SSL Inbound Inspection

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Meddler-in-the-Middle (MITM) Role – Since PFS prevents session key reuse, the firewall cannot use
static keys for decryption. Instead, it must act as a man-in-the-middle (MITM) between the client and the
internal server.

Decryption Process – The firewall terminates the SSL session from the external client.

It then establishes a new encrypted session between itself and the internal server.

This allows the firewall to decrypt, inspect, and then re-encrypt traffic before forwarding it to the server.

Security Implications – This approach ensures threat detection and policy enforcement before
encrypted traffic reaches critical internal servers.

However, it breaks end-to-end encryption since the firewall acts as an intermediary.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

B. It acts transparently between the client and the internal server.

Incorrect, because SSL Inbound Inspection requires the firewall to actively terminate and re-establish
SSL connections, making it a non-transparent MITM.

C. It decrypts inbound and outbound SSH connections.

Incorrect, because SSL Inbound Inspection applies only to SSL/TLS traffic, not SSH connections. SSH
decryption requires a different feature (e.g., SSH Proxy).

D. It decrypts traffic between the client and the external server.

Incorrect, because SSL Inbound Inspection is designed to inspect traffic destined for an internal server,
not external connections. SSL Forward Proxy would be used for outbound traffic decryption.

Reference to Firewall Deployment and Security Features:

Firewall Deployment – SSL Inbound Inspection is used in enterprise environments to monitor encrypted
traffic heading to internal servers.

Security Policies – Decryption policies control which inbound SSL sessions are decrypted.

VPN Configurations – PFS is commonly used in IPsec VPNs, ensuring that keys change per session.

Threat Prevention – Enables deep inspection of SSL/TLS traffic to detect malware, exploits, and data
leaks.

WildFire Integration – Extracts potentially malicious files from encrypted traffic for advanced
sandboxing and malware detection.

Panorama – Provides centralized management of SSL decryption logs and security policies.

Zero Trust Architectures – Ensures encrypted traffic is continuously inspected, aligning with Zero Trust
security principles.

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Thus, the correct answer is:

A. It acts as meddler-in-the-middle between the client and the internal server.

Question: 3

After a Best Practice Assessment (BPA) is complete, it is determined that dynamic updates for Cloud-
Delivered Security Services (CDSS) used by company branch offices do not match recommendations.
The snippet used for dynamic updates is currently set to download and install updates weekly.
Knowing these devices have the Precision Al bundle, which two statements describe how the settings
need to be adjusted in the snippet? (Choose two.)

A. Applications and threats should be updated daily.

B. Antivirus should be updated daily.
C. WildFire should be updated every five minutes.
D. URL filtering should be updated hourly.

Answer: A, C
Explanation:

A Best Practice Assessment (BPA) evaluates firewall configurations against Palo Alto Networks'
recommended best practices. In this case, the Cloud-Delivered Security Services (CDSS) update
settings do not align with best practices, as they are currently set to weekly updates, which delays
threat prevention.

Best Practices for Dynamic Updates in the Precision AI Bundle Applications and Threats –
Update Daily
Regular updates ensure the firewall detects and blocks the latest exploits, vulnerabilities, and malware.

Weekly updates are too slow and leave the network vulnerable to newly discovered attacks.
WildFire – Update Every Five Minutes
WildFire is Palo Alto Networks' cloud-based malware analysis engine, which identifies and mitigates new
threats in near real-time.

Updating every five minutes ensures that newly discovered malware signatures are applied quickly.

A weekly update would significantly delay threat response.

Other Answer Choices Analysis

(B) Antivirus should be updated daily.

While frequent updates are recommended, Antivirus in Palo Alto firewalls is updated hourly by default
(not daily).

(D) URL Filtering should be updated hourly.

URL Filtering databases are updated dynamically in the cloud, and do not require fixed hourly updates.
URL filtering effectiveness depends on cloud integration rather than frequent updates.

Reference and Justification:

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Firewall Deployment – Ensuring dynamic updates align with best practices enhances security.

Security Policies – Applications, Threats, and WildFire updates are critical for enforcing protection
policies.

Threat Prevention & WildFire – Frequent updates reduce the window of exposure to new threats.

Panorama – Updates can be managed centrally for branch offices.

Zero Trust Architectures – Requires real-time threat intelligence updates.

Thus, Applications & Threats (A) should be updated daily, and WildFire (C) should be updated every five
minutes to maintain optimal security posture in accordance with BPA recommendations.

Question: 4

In which mode should an ION device be configured at a newly acquired site to allow site traffic to be
audited without steering traffic?

A. Access
B. Control
C. Disabled
D. Analytics

Answer: D
Explanation:

An ION device (used in Prisma SD-WAN) must be configured in Analytics mode at a newly acquired site
to audit traffic without steering it. This mode allows administrators to monitor network behavior without
actively modifying traffic paths.

Why Analytics Mode is the Correct Choice?

Passively Observes Traffic

The ION device monitors and logs site traffic for analysis. No active control over routing or traffic flow is
applied. Useful for Network Auditing Before Full Deployment

Analytics mode provides visibility into site traffic before committing to SD-WAN policy changes. Helps
identify optimization opportunities and troubleshoot connectivity before enabling traffic steering.

Other Answer Choices Analysis

(A) Access Mode – Enables active routing and steering of traffic, which is not desired for passive
auditing.

(B) Control Mode – Actively controls traffic flows and enforces policies, not suitable for observation-
only setups.

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(C) Disabled Mode – The device would not function in this mode, making it useless for traffic monitoring.

Reference and Justification:

Firewall Deployment – Prisma SD-WAN ION devices must be placed in Analytics mode for initial
audits.

Zero Trust Architectures – Helps assess security risks before enabling active controls.

Thus, Analytics Mode (D) is the correct answer, as it allows auditing of site traffic without traffic steering.

Question: 5

A company wants to ensure secure and reliable connectivity for remote users using Palo Alto Networks
GlobalProtect. Which configuration best ensures seamless remote access while maintaining security?

A. Configure GlobalProtect with split tunneling to allow only business-critical traffic through the VPN
while directing non-essential traffic to the local internet.
B. Enable full tunneling so all internet-bound traffic must pass through the corporate firewall before
reaching external sites.
C. Allow GlobalProtect users to connect without authentication to simplify the user experience.
D. Disable endpoint compliance checks to reduce connection delays.

Answer: A
Explanation:

Option A: Split tunneling improves performance by directing corporate traffic through the VPN while
allowing non-business-related traffic (e.g., streaming services) to go directly to the internet. This reduces
bandwidth consumption and enhances user experience without compromising security.

Option B: While full tunneling enhances security by inspecting all traffic, it can lead to unnecessary
latency and bandwidth congestion, impacting performance for remote users.

Option C: Authentication is crucial for verifying user identities and preventing unauthorized access.
Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) is recommended for additional security.

Option D: Endpoint compliance checks help enforce security policies (e.g., checking for up-to-date
antivirus software). Disabling them increases the risk of compromised devices connecting to the network.

Question: 6

An enterprise security engineer is implementing Palo Alto Networks Cloud-Delivered Security Services
(CDSS) to enhance DNS security. Which of the following best describes how CDSS helps protect
against DNS threats?

A. CDSS requires manual updates of DNS threat signatures to maintain protection against new
threats.

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B. CDSS automatically replaces all DNS queries with Palo Alto Networks' DNS servers to prevent
malicious activity.
C. The firewall uses CDSS to detect and block suspicious DNS queries by leveraging cloud-based
threat intelligence.
D. CDSS forces all internal hosts to use the firewall as a recursive DNS resolver, ensuring security
enforcement.

Answer: C
Explanation:

Option A: CDSS updates threat intelligence automatically in real time. It does not require manual
updates for new DNS threats, as Palo Alto Networks' cloud services continuously refresh their threat
databases.

Option B: CDSS does not replace all DNS queries with Palo Alto Networks’ own DNS servers. Instead,
it analyzes DNS queries and responses in real time using cloud-based threat intelligence to determine
whether they are safe or malicious.

Option C: CDSS integrates with the Palo Alto Networks cloud threat intelligence database to analyze
DNS queries dynamically. This allows the firewall to block malicious domains, detect emerging threats,
and prevent DNS tunneling attacks.

Option D: While the firewall can be configured to act as a DNS forwarder, CDSS does not require it. The
firewall can inspect and secure DNS traffic even when third-party DNS resolvers (e.g., Google DNS,
Cloudflare DNS) are used.

Question: 7

A network administrator is troubleshooting the performance of a Palo Alto Networks firewall and needs to
understand how packets are processed. Which two of the following statements correctly describe the
difference between slow path and fast path processing? (Select TWO)

A. The fast path bypasses all security inspection, allowing packets to be forwarded instantly.
B. The slow path processes packets more efficiently than the fast path to enhance performance.
C. The fast path processes packets that match an existing session, while the slow path is used for
packets that require session setup.
D. The slow path includes deep packet inspection (DPI) and policy enforcement for new sessions.
E. The slow path is only used when an application-layer (Layer 7) security profile is applied to a
session.
Answer: C, D
Explanation:

Option A: The fast path still performs security checks but optimizes processing for established sessions.
It does not completely bypass security inspection; only certain checks are skipped after the initial session
setup.

Option B: The slow path involves additional processing overhead due to security inspections and
session evaluations, making it inherently slower than the fast path, which optimizes performance for

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recurring packets in a session.

Option C: The fast path is used for packets that belong to an already established session, which means
they bypass session setup and policy checks, whereas the slow path is required to process new
sessions that require policy evaluation, App-ID, User-ID, and other deep inspections.

Option D: The slow path is responsible for performing initial session setup, deep packet inspection, and
enforcing security policies before a session can be classified and moved to the fast path for subsequent
packets.

Option E: While security profiles (such as antivirus or intrusion prevention) may influence slow path
processing, the slow path is primarily used for session setup and traffic classification, not only when
security profiles are applied.

Question: 8

Which Palo Alto Networks firewall solution is best suited for securing Kubernetes environments by
providing deep visibility and segmentation for containerized workloads?

A. Cloud NGFW
B. Prisma Access
C. CN-Series firewalls
D. PA-Series firewalls

Answer: C
Explanation:

Option A: Cloud NGFW is a fully managed firewall service designed for public cloud environments like
AWS and Azure, but it does not provide native Kubernetes protection.

Option B: Prisma Access is a cloud-delivered security solution focused on SASE (Secure Access
Service Edge), securing remote users and branch offices, but it is not a Kubernetes-native firewall
solution.

Option C: The CN-Series is specifically designed for Kubernetes environments, offering containerized
firewall capabilities. It provides visibility, segmentation, and threat prevention inside Kubernetes clusters,
making it the best choice for securing containerized workloads.

Option D: The PA-Series is a hardware-based NGFW designed for on-premises data centers and
enterprises. While it provides high-performance security, it does not integrate natively with Kubernetes
environments.

Question: 9

Palo Alto Networks provides a comprehensive cybersecurity platform that integrates multiple security
functions. Which two of the following solutions are part of Palo Alto Networks’ core platform for network
security? (Select TWO)

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A. Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)

B. Zscaler Private Access
C. Cortex XDR
D. FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall
E. Prisma Access
Answer: C, E
Explanation:

Option A: While Palo Alto Networks’ NGFW is a core offering, the question specifically asked for
platform solutions rather than a standalone product. The NGFW is a component of the broader Strata
platform but is not considered a comprehensive security platform on its own like Prisma Access or
Cortex XDR.

Option B: Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) is a competing product that provides secure remote access but
is not a Palo Alto Networks solution. It belongs to Zscaler, a direct competitor in the cloud security space.

Option C: Cortex XDR is a Palo Alto Networks solution that provides extended detection and response
(XDR) across network, endpoint, cloud, and third-party data sources. It enables proactive threat hunting
and incident response.

Option D: FortiGate NGFW is developed by Fortinet, another cybersecurity vendor. Palo Alto Networks
provides its own Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) solutions that integrate with its broader security
ecosystem.

Option E: Prisma Access is Palo Alto Networks’ cloud-delivered security platform that extends Zero
Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
capabilities to users, regardless of their location.

Question: 10

Which of the following statements best describes how Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls
(NGFWs) handle traffic monitoring and logging?

A. NGFWs provide real-time traffic monitoring and generate detailed logs for both allowed and denied
traffic.
B. NGFWs rely solely on external SIEM solutions for logging and do not store logs locally.
C. NGFWs automatically discard logs after 24 hours to conserve storage.
D. NGFWs log only denied traffic, allowing administrators to focus on potential threats.

Answer: A
Explanation:

Option A: Palo Alto Networks NGFWs support real-time traffic monitoring through the Application
Command Center (ACC) and log all traffic events, including both allowed and denied connections. This
helps administrators analyze network behavior, troubleshoot performance issues, and detect security
threats. Traffic logs, threat logs, URL filtering logs, and system logs are generated based on policy
configurations and can be forwarded to external SIEM solutions for extended analysis.

Option B: Palo Alto Networks NGFWs can forward logs to SIEM solutions but also store logs locally in

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their log storage partition. These logs can be viewed via the Monitor tab in the firewall’s web interface.

Option C: Logs are retained based on log storage capacity and configured log retention policies.
Administrators can define how long logs are stored before being overwritten. Logs are not discarded
arbitrarily after 24 hours unless configured to do so.

Option D: While NGFWs do log denied traffic, they also log allowed traffic based on configured policies.
Monitoring both allowed and denied traffic helps security teams detect suspicious activity in seemingly
legitimate connections.

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