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Question 61:
What is the primary purpose of Prisma Access Mobile Users deployment?
A) Connect branch offices to the cloud
B) Provide secure remote access for mobile and remote workers
C) Replace on-premises firewalls
D) Monitor network traffic only
Answer: B
Explanation:
Prisma Access Mobile Users deployment provides secure remote access for mobile and remote workers by establishing encrypted connections from endpoint devices to the Prisma Access cloud security platform. This deployment model extends enterprise security policies to users regardless of their location, ensuring consistent protection for remote workforce.
The Mobile Users architecture uses GlobalProtect agents installed on laptops, mobile devices, and tablets to create secure VPN tunnels to the nearest Prisma Access gateway. Users authenticate through multiple methods including SAML, multi-factor authentication, or certificate-based authentication before accessing corporate resources through the encrypted tunnel.
Mobile Users deployment differs from traditional VPN concentrators by providing cloud-delivered security services including next-generation firewall inspection, threat prevention, URL filtering, and data loss prevention for all user traffic. The cloud-native architecture scales automatically to accommodate varying user counts without capacity planning or hardware procurement.
Traffic flow through Mobile Users follows a secure path: users authenticate and establish VPN connection to the nearest gateway, all traffic routes through Prisma Access for security inspection regardless of destination, security policies apply consistently based on user identity and context, and split tunneling can be configured to optimize traffic routing for trusted applications.
Branch office connectivity uses Remote Networks deployment model. On-premises firewall replacement requires hybrid or migration strategies. Monitoring-only deployment does not match Prisma Access architecture. Mobile Users specifically addresses remote workforce security with cloud-delivered protection for distributed users.
Question 62:
Which authentication method provides the strongest security for Mobile Users connecting to Prisma Access?
A) Username and password only
B) Certificate-based authentication with MFA
C) Pre-shared keys
D) Anonymous authentication
Answer: B
Explanation:
Certificate-based authentication with multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides the strongest security for Mobile Users by combining cryptographic identity verification with additional authentication factors. This layered approach ensures that only authorized users with valid certificates and additional proof of identity can establish connections to Prisma Access.
Certificate-based authentication uses digital certificates issued to user devices that prove identity cryptographically without transmitting passwords over the network. The certificate contains cryptographic keys that only the legitimate device possesses, making certificate theft and reuse significantly more difficult than password compromise.
Multi-factor authentication adds an additional verification layer requiring users to provide something they know (password or PIN), something they have (token, smartphone, or certificate), and potentially something they are (biometric). Common MFA implementations include push notifications to mobile apps, one-time passwords, or biometric verification combined with certificate authentication.
The certificate-plus-MFA combination protects against multiple attack vectors including stolen credentials since MFA requires additional factors, lost devices because certificate alone is insufficient, man-in-the-middle attacks through certificate validation, and brute-force attacks which are ineffective against certificate authentication.
Implementation typically involves deploying certificates through mobile device management systems, configuring Prisma Access to require certificate authentication, integrating with MFA providers like Okta, Duo, or native solutions, and enforcing certificate validation in authentication policies.
Username and password alone are vulnerable to credential theft. Pre-shared keys lack per-user accountability. Anonymous authentication provides no security. Certificate-based authentication with MFA delivers the strongest security through cryptographic identity plus additional verification factors for Mobile Users access.
Question 63:
What is the purpose of the Prisma Access Service Connection in a Remote Networks deployment?
A) Provide internet access for branch offices
B) Establish IPsec tunnels between remote sites and Prisma Access
C) Monitor user activity
D) Replace SD-WAN solutions
Answer: B
Explanation:
The Service Connection establishes IPsec tunnels between remote sites and Prisma Access, providing the encrypted connectivity that allows branch offices and data centers to securely access cloud security services. This connection serves as the on-ramp for Remote Networks traffic into the Prisma Access security fabric.
Service Connections use industry-standard IPsec protocol to create encrypted tunnels from customer premises equipment (CPE) such as routers or firewalls to Prisma Access gateways. The tunnels protect traffic in transit while routing it through cloud-based security services including firewall inspection, threat prevention, and URL filtering before reaching destinations.
Multiple Service Connection options accommodate different deployment scenarios including IPsec tunnels from existing firewalls or routers for sites with deployed equipment, Palo Alto Networks firewalls providing optimized integration and shared policy management, and third-party devices supporting standard IPsec for maximum flexibility in equipment selection.
The architecture supports redundancy through multiple tunnels per site for high availability, automatic failover between primary and backup connections if one fails, load balancing across multiple tunnels for bandwidth aggregation, and monitoring of tunnel health with automatic alerting for connectivity issues.
Internet access results from the Service Connection but is not its primary purpose. Monitoring is a feature not the connection purpose. SD-WAN integration is possible but Service Connection does not replace SD-WAN. The Service Connection specifically provides the IPsec tunnel infrastructure connecting remote sites to Prisma Access security services.
Question 64:
Which Prisma Access component provides DNS security services?
A) URL Filtering
B) Threat Prevention
C) DNS Security subscription
D) WildFire
Answer: C
Explanation:
DNS Security subscription provides specialized protection against DNS-based threats by analyzing DNS queries and responses to detect and block malicious domains, prevent command-and-control communications, and stop data exfiltration through DNS tunneling. This cloud-delivered service extends beyond basic domain filtering to provide predictive DNS security.
DNS Security uses machine learning and advanced analytics to identify newly registered domains that exhibit malicious characteristics, detect DNS tunneling attempts where attackers encode data in DNS queries, identify domain generation algorithms used by malware for command-and-control, and predict which domains are likely to be malicious before they appear in traditional threat feeds.
The service operates inline with DNS resolution, intercepting DNS queries from users and evaluating domains against real-time threat intelligence. Malicious domains receive blocked responses preventing connections, while legitimate domains resolve normally. This real-time evaluation happens transparently without impacting user experience for legitimate sites.
DNS Security complements other security services: URL Filtering categorizes and controls web access based on content categories, Threat Prevention detects and blocks exploitation attempts and malware, WildFire analyzes unknown files in a sandbox environment, and DNS Security specifically focuses on DNS-layer threats that may bypass other controls.
Integration with Prisma Access ensures all DNS traffic receives security inspection regardless of user location. Policies can be configured per security zone, user group, or application to provide granular control over DNS security enforcement based on risk profiles and business requirements.
DNS Security is a specific subscription service beyond basic URL filtering, making it the correct answer for DNS-focused protection in Prisma Access deployments.
Question 65:
What is the purpose of Prisma Access Security Processing Nodes?
A) Store logs and configuration backups
B) Perform security inspection and enforce policies
C) Provide user authentication services
D) Manage certificates and encryption keys
Answer: B
Explanation:
Security Processing Nodes perform security inspection and enforce policies on all traffic passing through Prisma Access. These nodes contain the next-generation firewall capabilities including App-ID, User-ID, Content-ID, threat prevention, and URL filtering that provide comprehensive security for internet-bound and application traffic.
Processing nodes are distributed globally across Prisma Access infrastructure, with traffic routing to the nearest or most appropriate node based on user location and configured policies. Each node contains complete security stack capable of deep packet inspection, application identification, threat detection, and policy enforcement without requiring traffic to backhaul to central locations.
The security inspection process follows multiple stages: application identification determines what applications are in use regardless of port or protocol, user identification maps traffic to specific users for policy enforcement, content inspection examines traffic for threats and data patterns, threat prevention blocks exploits and malware, and URL filtering controls web access based on categories and custom lists.
Processing nodes scale automatically based on traffic load, adding capacity dynamically during peak usage periods and reducing resources during lower utilization. This elastic scaling ensures consistent performance without manual intervention or capacity planning, while maintaining security inspection quality regardless of traffic volume.
The distributed architecture provides multiple benefits including low latency through geographically dispersed nodes, high availability through automatic failover between nodes, scalability through cloud-native architecture, and consistent policy enforcement across all locations regardless of where traffic enters Prisma Access.
Log storage, authentication, and certificate management are separate services. Security Processing Nodes specifically provide the firewall and security inspection capabilities that enforce policies and protect traffic in Prisma Access.
Question 66:
Which deployment option allows Prisma Access to inspect traffic between cloud applications?
A) Mobile Users only
B) Remote Networks only
C) Cloud Service Provider integration
D) Explicit Proxy only
Answer: C
Explanation:
Cloud Service Provider integration allows Prisma Access to inspect traffic between cloud applications by establishing connections directly with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This integration extends security inspection to east-west traffic between cloud workloads and north-south traffic to and from cloud environments.
CSP integration uses multiple connection methods depending on the cloud platform: VPC/VNet peering establishing direct network connections between cloud environments and Prisma Access, Transit Gateway integration in AWS routing cloud traffic through Prisma Access for inspection, and VNET peering in Azure connecting virtual networks to Prisma Access gateways.
This deployment model enables inspection of cloud-to-cloud traffic that might otherwise bypass security controls, including communications between different cloud applications, data transfers between cloud regions, connections from cloud workloads to internet resources, and access from cloud applications to on-premises systems.
The architecture supports consistent security policy enforcement across hybrid environments, applying the same security rules to cloud traffic as on-premises traffic, providing visibility into cloud application communications and data flows, preventing lateral movement between compromised cloud workloads, and enforcing compliance requirements for cloud-hosted data.
Traffic flow through CSP integration routes cloud application traffic to Prisma Access security nodes, inspection occurs using full security stack including threat prevention and URL filtering, allowed traffic forwards to destinations while blocked traffic is dropped, and all activity logs centrally for visibility and compliance.
Mobile Users protects remote workers. Remote Networks secures branch offices. Explicit Proxy handles specific proxy scenarios. Cloud Service Provider integration specifically enables inspection of inter-cloud application traffic through direct cloud platform connectivity.
Question 67:
What is the function of Prisma Access Explicit Proxy deployment mode?
A) Transparent traffic interception
B) Require user devices to configure proxy settings
C) Replace all other deployment modes
D) Provide only HTTP inspection
Answer: B
Explanation:
Explicit Proxy deployment mode requires user devices to configure proxy settings that direct traffic to Prisma Access for inspection. This deployment model provides security for scenarios where transparent traffic interception is not feasible or where explicit proxy configuration is preferred for operational or policy reasons.
In Explicit Proxy mode, client devices or applications are configured with proxy server addresses pointing to Prisma Access gateways. When applications make connection requests, they send CONNECT requests to the proxy which then establishes connections on behalf of clients, inspects traffic, enforces policies, and forwards allowed traffic to destinations.
Explicit Proxy is particularly useful for unmanaged devices that cannot install GlobalProtect agents, contractor or guest devices requiring security without full network access, applications that support proxy configuration but not VPN clients, and environments where transparent interception creates compatibility issues with certain applications.
The deployment supports multiple authentication methods including user credentials entered when proxy connection is established, integration with identity providers for single sign-on, certificate-based authentication for machine identity, and combinations of methods for layered security.
Configuration requires setting proxy addresses in device network settings, browser proxy configurations, or application-specific proxy settings. PAC (Proxy Auto-Configuration) files can automate proxy assignment based on destination URLs, reducing manual configuration overhead while providing flexibility in proxy selection.
Transparent interception is a different deployment model. Explicit Proxy complements rather than replaces other modes. It inspects all traffic types not just HTTP. Explicit Proxy specifically requires proxy configuration on client devices, distinguishing it from transparent interception methods.
Question 68:
Which Prisma Access feature prevents data loss through unauthorized cloud applications?
A) URL Filtering
B) Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
C) Threat Prevention
D) DNS Security
Answer: B
Explanation:
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) prevents data loss through unauthorized cloud applications by identifying sensitive data in transit, classifying it based on content patterns and context, and enforcing policies that block or control data uploads to unsanctioned applications. DLP ensures that sensitive corporate information does not leak through cloud services outside organizational control.
Prisma Access DLP uses multiple detection techniques: pattern matching identifies data matching defined formats like credit card numbers or social security numbers, document fingerprinting detects specific documents based on content signatures, keyword matching finds data containing specified terms or phrases, and machine learning classification identifies sensitive data based on context and characteristics.
DLP policies define what constitutes sensitive data and what actions to take when detected. Policies can block uploads of sensitive data to personal cloud storage, allow uploads with encryption or watermarking, trigger alerts for security team investigation, or require additional approval before data transfer completes.
Integration with cloud application visibility enables DLP to understand application context, treating corporate-sanctioned cloud storage differently from personal services, applying different policies based on application risk levels, providing detailed visibility into which applications are receiving sensitive data, and enabling data flow tracking across cloud services.
Common use cases include preventing intellectual property theft through personal cloud accounts, ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, controlling sensitive data uploads to social media or file sharing sites, and protecting customer data from unauthorized disclosure through unsanctioned applications.
URL Filtering controls web access but not data content. Threat Prevention blocks attacks. DNS Security protects at DNS layer. DLP specifically focuses on preventing sensitive data loss through content inspection and policy enforcement in Prisma Access.
Question 69:
What is the purpose of Prisma Access bandwidth allocation?
A) Limit user internet speeds
B) Ensure adequate capacity for security processing
C) Replace QoS policies
D) Reduce licensing costs
Answer: B
Explanation:
Bandwidth allocation in Prisma Access ensures adequate capacity for security processing by reserving throughput resources that can handle peak traffic volumes while maintaining inspection quality and policy enforcement. Proper bandwidth allocation prevents performance degradation during high-usage periods and ensures consistent security effectiveness.
Bandwidth allocation is configured per location or gateway based on expected traffic volumes, number of concurrent users at each location, types of applications in use and their bandwidth requirements, and peak usage patterns during business hours. Allocation should account for growth and usage spikes to prevent capacity constraints.
The allocation directly impacts security inspection capabilities: insufficient bandwidth leads to inspection bypasses or performance degradation, adequate bandwidth ensures full security stack applies to all traffic, over-allocation wastes resources and increases costs unnecessarily, and right-sizing balances security effectiveness with cost efficiency.
Prisma Access uses allocated bandwidth to perform deep packet inspection including application identification requiring protocol analysis, threat prevention scanning all traffic for exploits and malware, SSL decryption and re-encryption consuming processing overhead, and URL categorization analyzing web requests in real-time.
Best practices for bandwidth allocation include monitoring actual usage to inform sizing decisions, planning for 20-30% overhead above average utilization, considering peak usage patterns not just averages, and reviewing allocation quarterly as usage patterns change.
Limiting user speeds is QoS not bandwidth allocation. QoS policies still apply within allocated bandwidth. Licensing is separate from bandwidth. Bandwidth allocation specifically ensures adequate capacity for security processing in Prisma Access deployments.
Question 70:
Which protocol does GlobalProtect use for Mobile Users VPN connections to Prisma Access?
A) L2TP
B) PPTP
C) IPsec or SSL/TLS
D) OpenVPN
Answer: C
Explanation:
GlobalProtect uses IPsec or SSL/TLS protocols for Mobile Users VPN connections to Prisma Access, providing flexible encryption options that accommodate different network environments and security requirements. Both protocols deliver strong encryption with different characteristics suited to various deployment scenarios.
IPsec provides network-layer encryption with high performance and broad platform support. GlobalProtect IPsec implementations use IKEv2 for tunnel establishment with certificate or pre-shared key authentication, ESP for data encryption and integrity, and automatic reconnection when network connectivity changes. IPsec typically offers better performance for high-throughput scenarios.
SSL/TLS operates at the transport layer and excels in restrictive network environments where IPsec may be blocked. SSL VPN uses standard HTTPS port 443 which typically passes through firewalls and proxies, provides transparent operation through web infrastructure, and supports clientless access for specific use cases.
Protocol selection can be automatic based on network conditions, with GlobalProtect attempting IPsec first for optimal performance, falling back to SSL if IPsec is blocked or fails, maintaining connection as users move between networks, and optimizing based on available network paths.
Both protocols provide equivalent security when properly configured including AES encryption for confidentiality, SHA for integrity verification, perfect forward secrecy protecting past sessions, and certificate validation preventing man-in-the-middle attacks.
L2TP and PPTP are legacy VPN protocols not used by GlobalProtect. OpenVPN is a different VPN solution. GlobalProtect specifically uses IPsec or SSL/TLS protocols providing flexible, secure connectivity for Mobile Users to Prisma Access.
Question 71:
What is the purpose of Prisma Access Service Infrastructure Subnet?
A) Assign IP addresses to end users
B) Provide IP addressing for Prisma Access internal operations
C) Replace corporate IP addressing schemes
D) Enable internet routing
Answer: B
Explanation:
The Service Infrastructure Subnet provides IP addressing for Prisma Access internal operations including gateway communications, service interconnections, and management traffic. This subnet must not overlap with any corporate networks or remote site addressing to prevent routing conflicts and connectivity issues.
The infrastructure subnet is used exclusively by Prisma Access internal components: gateways use addresses from this range for inter-gateway communications, service connections terminate on infrastructure addresses, management interfaces utilize infrastructure IPs, and internal routing between security nodes leverages this addressing.
Planning infrastructure subnet requirements involves selecting RFC 1918 private address space not used elsewhere in the organization, ensuring the subnet is large enough for current deployment and future growth, avoiding common ranges like 10.0.0.0/8 that may conflict with acquisitions or partners, and documenting the reserved range to prevent accidental reuse.
Common conflicts occur when infrastructure subnet overlaps with remote site addressing causing routing ambiguity, overlaps with data center networks preventing proper route advertisement, conflicts with acquired company networks after mergers, or clashes with partner networks requiring connectivity.
Infrastructure subnet configuration happens during initial Prisma Access deployment, requires careful planning before implementation, cannot easily be changed after deployment without service disruption, and must be coordinated with network teams to ensure no conflicts exist.
User IP addresses come from separate pools. Corporate addressing remains unchanged. Internet routing uses different mechanisms. Service Infrastructure Subnet specifically provides addressing for Prisma Access internal operations requiring unique, non-overlapping IP space.
Question 72:
Which Prisma Access component provides centralized management and policy configuration?
A) GlobalProtect Gateway
B) Panorama
C) Security Processing Node
D) Cloud Services Portal
Answer: B
Explanation:
Panorama provides centralized management and policy configuration for Prisma Access, serving as the single control plane for defining security policies, managing configurations, monitoring operations, and maintaining consistency across the entire Prisma Access deployment. Panorama enables administrators to manage thousands of distributed security nodes through a unified interface.
Panorama management capabilities include configuring security policies that apply globally across all Prisma Access locations, defining objects like address groups and application filters used in policies, managing user identity integration and authentication settings, and configuring security subscriptions including threat prevention, URL filtering, and DNS security.
The centralized model provides significant operational benefits: policy consistency ensuring the same security rules apply regardless of user location, simplified management through single interface for entire deployment, template-based configuration enabling rapid deployment of new locations, and comprehensive visibility aggregating logs and reports across all Prisma Access components.
Panorama can be deployed as cloud-managed Panorama fully hosted by Palo Alto Networks, on-premises Panorama appliance for customers preferring local management, or hybrid model combining cloud and on-premises management capabilities. All deployment options provide the same centralized policy management functionality.
Policy push workflow follows: administrators define policies in Panorama, commit changes to validate configuration, push policies to Prisma Access, Prisma Access distributes to all relevant security nodes, and enforcement begins immediately across all locations.
GlobalProtect Gateway handles user connections. Security Processing Nodes enforce policies. Cloud Services Portal manages licensing and provisioning. Panorama specifically provides the centralized management and policy configuration capabilities for Prisma Access.
Question 73:
What is the function of Prisma Access HIP (Host Information Profile) checks?
A) Monitor network performance
B) Verify endpoint security posture before allowing access
C) Scan for application vulnerabilities
D) Test internet connection speed
Answer: B
Explanation:
Host Information Profile (HIP) checks verify endpoint security posture before allowing access to corporate resources, ensuring that connecting devices meet minimum security requirements. HIP checking enforces zero-trust principles by validating device compliance regardless of user identity or authentication strength.
HIP checks evaluate multiple security attributes: antivirus software presence and update status ensuring endpoints run current protection, firewall status verifying host-based firewalls are enabled, disk encryption checking if sensitive data is protected, patch level confirming operating systems have critical security updates, and custom criteria specific to organizational requirements.
The HIP process occurs during GlobalProtect connection establishment: endpoint agents gather security posture information, data transmits to Prisma Access gateways as part of connection request, gateways evaluate HIP data against configured policies, compliant devices receive full access to resources, and non-compliant devices receive limited access or are blocked until remediation occurs.
HIP-based policies enable dynamic access control: corporate-managed devices meeting all criteria receive full access, personal devices with limited compliance get restricted access to specific resources, non-compliant devices trigger remediation workflows with user notifications, and quarantine networks provide access only to remediation resources.
Common HIP requirements include running approved antivirus with definitions updated within 7 days, enabling host firewall with specific rules, encrypting local storage on mobile devices, applying operating system patches within 30 days of release, and meeting custom organizational security baselines.
Performance monitoring, vulnerability scanning, and speed tests are separate functions. HIP checks specifically verify endpoint security posture ensuring device compliance before granting access to corporate resources through Prisma Access.
Question 74:
Which Prisma Access feature prevents malware from establishing command-and-control communications?
A) URL Filtering
B) Threat Prevention
C) DNS Security
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation:
All three features—URL Filtering, Threat Prevention, and DNS Security—work together to prevent malware from establishing command-and-control communications through multiple layers of defense. This defense-in-depth approach blocks C2 at different stages and through different detection methods, significantly reducing the likelihood of successful malware communications.
URL Filtering blocks access to known malicious websites and IP addresses where command-and-control servers are hosted. The service maintains extensive threat intelligence on malicious URLs, categorizes sites based on risk and content, blocks access to newly identified C2 infrastructure, and prevents users from inadvertently accessing malicious sites through phishing or social engineering.
Threat Prevention detects and blocks C2 communications by identifying malicious traffic patterns, blocking known exploitation attempts, detecting anomalous traffic indicating C2 activity, and using signature-based detection for known malware communication protocols. Threat Prevention operates at the network and application layers inspecting traffic content.
DNS Security prevents C2 by analyzing DNS queries before resolution, blocking queries to known malicious domains, identifying domain generation algorithm patterns used by malware, predicting likely malicious domains before they appear in threat feeds, and preventing DNS tunneling used for data exfiltration.
The layered approach ensures that if malware bypasses one control, other layers provide backup protection. Even if malware installs successfully, C2 communications are likely blocked by one or more security layers, rendering the malware ineffective and preventing attacker control.
Together, these features create comprehensive C2 prevention: DNS Security blocks at domain resolution, URL Filtering blocks at connection establishment, and Threat Prevention blocks at protocol level. All three working in concert provide the most effective C2 prevention in Prisma Access.
Question 75:
What is the purpose of split tunneling configuration in GlobalProtect?
A) Divide bandwidth between users
B) Route some traffic through VPN and other traffic directly to internet
C) Split administrative access between teams
D) Separate voice and data traffic
Answer: B
Explanation:
Split tunneling configuration routes some traffic through the VPN tunnel to Prisma Access while allowing other traffic to go directly to the internet without security inspection. This optimization reduces unnecessary traffic through security nodes for trusted applications while maintaining security for corporate resources and high-risk traffic.
Split tunnel configuration defines which traffic uses the tunnel through include/exclude lists: corporate IP ranges route through VPN ensuring internal resources receive full security, sanctioned cloud applications may tunnel through Prisma Access for inspection, trusted consumer services like streaming video can bypass the tunnel to reduce latency, and internal collaboration tools requiring low latency might bypass security inspection.
The configuration balances multiple considerations: security teams prefer inspecting all traffic for maximum protection, network teams want to optimize bandwidth and reduce Prisma Access capacity requirements, user experience improves when low-risk traffic takes optimal routing, and cost optimization results from reduced security processing of non-corporate traffic.
Access domain configuration controls split tunneling behavior: allow all routes all traffic through VPN with no split tunneling, exclude routes specified destinations directly without VPN, include routes only specified destinations through VPN with all else direct, and dynamic split tunnel adjusts based on user location or network conditions.
Best practices recommend securing corporate resources and high-risk traffic through VPN, allowing trusted consumer services to bypass for performance, monitoring bandwidth utilization to inform split tunnel decisions, and regularly reviewing configurations as application landscape evolves.
Bandwidth division is QoS. Administrative access uses role-based access control. Traffic separation uses QoS and VLAN. Split tunneling specifically controls which traffic routes through VPN versus direct internet access in GlobalProtect.