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Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) Online Training

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UPDATED: March 1, 2023

Intermediate

This Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) training covers how to manage Palo Alto’s security platform and architecture to understand security best practices. The PCNSA focuses on installing, maintaining, and managing Palo Alto Networks' next-generation firewalls to protect networks. To learn how to navigate firewalls on Palo Alto’s security OS, an extensive background in digital security isn’t a prerequisite for our PCNSA training.

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What you'll learn

Identifying components of the Palo Alto Networks Security Operating Platform
Automating tasks, reducing response time, improving security effectiveness
Configuring firewall management interfaces and managing firewall configurations
Updating and upkeeping networks and firewalls
Configuring virtual routers
Managing application-based security policy rules
Deploying security profiles

FAQs

Is the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) worth it?

Yes, Palo Alto’s Certified Network Security Administrator is worth it. Also known as the PCNSA, the certification is worth it because of how many Palo Alto security devices there are all around the world. By some estimates, Palo Alto provides 19% of the world’s security appliances. That means that having the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator proves you can administer and manage one-fifth of the world’s security appliances.

How much does the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator cost?

The Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator certification costs $155. There are no prerequisite exams to take or mandatory courses you have to attend. However, you might want to add the cost of a course that prepares you for deploying and operating Palo Alto's next-generation firewalls to that cost.

Is the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) exam difficult?

The Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator exam is difficult if you don’t have a lot of experience configuring firewalls or if you don’t know Palo Alto specifically. For administrators with years of experience with security configurations already, it’s easy to learn what makes the PCNSA exam unique. But for brand new administrators, the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator can be very difficult.

Does the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) expire?

Yes, the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator expires two years after you take it. All of Palo Alto’s certifications expire two years after the date you earn them. Since the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator expires after two years, you’ll need to continue studying and preparing for either the same exam or the next one in the chain, the PCNSE, in order to recertify or renew your cert.

How should I study for the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)?

The way to study for the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator is with lots of virtual labs and simulated environments. The PCNSA exam tests your knowledge of managing and configuring Palo Alto devices, so the best way to study for it is with hands-on practice and experience. Be sure to study for the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator with a course that gives you a way to actually practice what you’re learning.

Who is this for?

This PCNSA training is considered administrator-level Palo Alto training, which means it was designed for security professionals. This Palo Alto software and appliances skills course is designed for security professionals with three to five years of experience with security appliances.

What our learners say

When learning a new technology, people sometimes build a wall that complicates the learning process because of the unknown. I like tearing down that wall — and having people fall in love with that technology.
Lalo Nunez | CBT Nuggets trainer since 2020
CBT Nuggets is exactly what I needed.
Thomas S. | Systems Engineer & Consultant
Practice exams help you have an overview of your readiness. If you have failed a couple questions in one area, you can go back and work on them.
Harold M. | Network Administrator

Study plan

Download the free PCNSA study plan to complete this course in about 18 hours.

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