PSE-Strata-Pro-24

Explanation:
North-south traffic refers to the flow of data in and out of a network, typically between internal resources and the internet. To secure this type of traffic, Palo Alto Networks recommends specific CDSS subscriptions in addition to DNS Security:
A. SaaS Security
SaaS Security is designed for monitoring and securing SaaS application usage but is not essential for handling typical north-south traffic.
B. Advanced WildFire
Advanced WildFire provides cloud-based malware analysis and sandboxing to detect and block zero-day threats. It is a critical component for securing north-south traffic against advanced malware.
C. Enterprise DLP
Enterprise DLP focuses on data loss prevention, primarily for protecting sensitive data. While important, it is not a minimum recommendation for securing north-south traffic.
D. Advanced Threat Prevention
Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) replaces traditional IPS and provides inline detection and prevention of evasive threats in north-south traffic. It is a crucial recommendation for protecting against sophisticated threats.
E. Advanced URL Filtering
Advanced URL Filtering prevents access to malicious or harmful URLs. It complements DNS Security to provide comprehensive web protection for north-south traffic.
Key Takeaways:
Advanced WildFire, Advanced Threat Prevention, and Advanced URL Filtering are minimum recommendations for NGFWs handling north-south traffic, alongside DNS Security.
SaaS Security and Enterprise DLP, while valuable, are not minimum requirements for this use case.
Reference: Palo Alto Networks NGFW Best Practices
Cloud-Delivered Security Services

Explanation:
Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) is Palo Alto Networks’ centralized cloud-based management platform for managing network security solutions, including Prisma Access and Prisma SD-WAN. SCM can also integrate with VM-Series firewalls for managing virtualized NGFW deployments.
Why A (Prisma SD-WAN) Is Correct
SCM is the management interface for Prisma SD-WAN, enabling centralized orchestration, monitoring, and configuration of SD-WAN deployments.
Why D (VM-Series NGFW) Is Correct
SCM supports managing VM-Series NGFWs, providing centralized visibility and control for virtualized firewall deployments in cloud or on-premises environments.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
B (Prisma Cloud): Prisma Cloud is a separate product for securing workloads in public cloud environments. It is not managed via SCM.
C (Cortex XDR): Cortex XDR is a platform for endpoint detection and response (EDR). It is managed through its own console, not SCM.
Reference: Palo Alto Networks Strata Cloud Manager Overview

Explanation:
The default configuration of a Palo Alto Networks NGFW includes a set of default security rules that
determine how traffic is handled when no explicit rules are defined. Here's the explanation for each option:
Option A: Security profiles are applied to all policies by default, eliminating implicit trust of any data traversing the firewall
Security profiles (such as Antivirus, Anti-Spyware, and URL Filtering) are not applied to any policies by default. Administrators must explicitly apply them to security rules.
This statement is incorrect.
Option B: The default policy action for intrazone traffic is deny, eliminating implicit trust within a security zone
By default, traffic within the same zone (intrazone traffic) is allowed. For example, traffic between devices in the "trust" zone is permitted unless explicitly denied by an administrator.
This statement is incorrect.
Option C: The default policy action allows all traffic unless explicitly denied
Palo Alto Networks firewalls do not have an "allow all" default rule. Instead, they include a default "deny all" rule for interzone traffic and an implicit "allow" rule for intrazone traffic.
This statement is incorrect.
Option D: The default policy action for interzone traffic is deny, eliminating implicit trust between security zones
By default, traffic between different zones (interzone traffic) is denied. This aligns with the principle of zero trust, ensuring that no traffic is implicitly allowed between zones. Administrators must define explicit rules to allow interzone traffic.
This statement is correct.
Reference: Palo Alto Networks documentation on Security Policy Defaults Knowledge Base article on Default Security Rules

Explanation:
Security Lifecycle Review (SLR) (Answer A):
The Security Lifecycle Review (SLR) is a detailed report generated by Palo Alto Networks firewalls that provides visibility into application usage, threats, and policy alignment with industry standards.
During the POV, running an SLR near the end of the timeline allows the customer to see:
How well their current security policies align with Critical Security Controls (CSC) or other industry standards.
Insights into application usage and threats discovered during the POV.
This provides actionable recommendations for optimizing policies and ensuring the purchased functionality is being effectively utilized.
Why Not B:
While creating custom dashboards and reports at the beginning might provide useful insights, the question focuses on verifying progress toward meeting CSC standards. This is specifically addressed by the SLR, which is designed to measure and report on such criteria.
Why Not C:
Pulling information from SCM dashboards like Best Practices and Feature Adoption can help assess firewall functionality but may not provide a comprehensive review of compliance or CSC alignment, as the SLR does.
Why Not D:
While PANhandler golden images can help configure features in alignment with specific subscriptions or compliance goals, they are primarily used to deploy predefined templates, not to assess security policy effectiveness or compliance with CSC standards.
Reference from Palo Alto Networks Documentation:
Security Lifecycle Review Overview
Strata Cloud Manager Dashboards

Explanation:
When configuring Advanced URL Filtering on a Palo Alto Networks firewall, the "Ransomware" category should be explicitly blocked to protect customers from URLs associated with ransomware activities. Ransomware URLs typically host malicious code or scripts designed to encrypt user data and demand a ransom. By blocking the "Ransomware" category, systems engineers can proactively prevent users from accessing such URLs.
Why "Ransomware" (Correct Answer A)?
The "Ransomware" category is specifically curated by Palo Alto Networks to include URLs known to deliver ransomware or support ransomware operations. Blocking this category ensures that any URL categorized as part of this list will be inaccessible to end-users, significantly reducing the risk of ransomware attacks.
Why not "High Risk" (Option B)?
While the "High Risk" category includes potentially malicious sites, it is broader and less targeted. It may not always block ransomware-specific URLs. "High Risk" includes a range of websites that are flagged based on factors like bad reputation or hosting malicious content in general. It is less focused than the "Ransomware" category.
Why not "Scanning Activity" (Option C)?
The "Scanning Activity" category focuses on URLs used in vulnerability scans, automated probing, or reconnaissance by attackers. Although such activity could be a precursor to ransomware attacks, it does not directly block ransomware URLs.
Why not "Command and Control" (Option D)?
The "Command and Control" category is designed to block URLs used by malware or compromised systems to communicate with their operators. While some ransomware may utilize command-and-control (C2) servers, blocking C2 URLs alone does not directly target ransomware URLs themselves.
By using the Advanced URL Filtering profile and blocking the "Ransomware" category, the firewall applies targeted controls to mitigate ransomware-specific threats.
Reference: Palo Alto Networks documentation for Advanced URL Filtering confirms that blocking the "Ransomware" category is a recommended best practice for preventing ransomware threats.