PCSFE Paloalto Networks Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE) Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

The number of required flex credits for a VM-Series firewall depends on vCPU allocation. Flex credits are a flexible licensing model that allows customers to purchase and consume software NGFWs as needed, without having to specify the platform or deployment model upfront. Customers can use flex credits to provision VM-Series firewalls on any supported cloud or virtualization platform. The number of required flex credits for a VM-Series firewall depends on vCPU allocation, which is the number of virtual CPUs assigned to the VM-Series firewall instance. The vCPU allocation determines the performance and capacity of the VM-Series firewall instance, such as throughput, sessions, policies, rules, and features. The number of required flex credits for a VM-Series firewall does not depend on IP address allocation, network interface allocation, or memory allocation, as those are not factors that affect the licensing cost or consumption of flex credits. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Flex Credits Datasheet], [Flex Credits FAQ], [VM-Series System Requirements]

The two valid components that are used in installation of a VM-Series firewall in an OpenStack environment are:

OpenStack heat template in YAML Ain’t Markup Language (YAML) format

VM-Series qcow2 image

OpenStack is a cloud computing platform that provides infrastructure as a service (IaaS) for deploying and managing virtual machines (VMs) and other resources. OpenStack environment requires network security that can protect the traffic between VMs or other cloud services from cyberattacks and enforce granular security policies based on application, user, content, and threat information. VM-Series firewall is a virtualized version of the Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall that can be deployed on various cloud or virtualization platforms, including OpenStack. OpenStack heat template in YAML format is a valid component that is used in installation of a VM-Series firewall in an OpenStack environment. OpenStack heat template is a file that defines the resources and configuration for deploying and managing a VM-Series firewall instance on OpenStack. YAML is a human-readable data serialization language that is commonly used for configuration files. YAML format is supported for OpenStack heat templates for VM-Series firewalls. VM-Series qcow2 image is a valid component that is used in installation of a VM-Series firewall in an OpenStack environment. VM-Series qcow2 image is a file that contains the software image of the VM-Series firewall for OpenStack. qcow2 is a disk image format that supports features such as compression, encryption, snapshots, and copy-on-write. qcow2 format is supported for VM-Series images for OpenStack. OpenStack heat template in JSON format and VM-Series VHD image are not valid components that are used in installation of a VM-Series firewall in an OpenStack environment, as those are not supported formats for OpenStack heat templates or VM-Series images. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Deploy the VM-Series Firewall on OpenStack], [What is YAML?], [What is qcow2?]

Containers are uniquely suitable for runtime security based on allow lists because containers have only a few defined processes that should ever be executed. Developers can specify the processes that are allowed to run in a container using a Dockerfile, but this does not guarantee that only those processes will run at runtime. Therefore, using an allow list approach can prevent any unauthorized or malicious processes from running in a container2. References: Container Security

Address groups are the type of groups that allow sharing cloud-learned tags with on-premises firewalls. Address groups are dynamic objects that can include IP addresses or tags as members. Cloud-learned tags are tags that are assigned to cloud resources by cloud providers or third-party tools. By using address groups with cloud-learned tags, you can apply consistent security policies across your hybrid cloud environment. References: [Address Groups]

The two private cloud environments that Palo Alto Networks have deep integrations with are:

VMware NSX-T

Cisco ACI

A private cloud environment is a cloud computing service that provides infrastructure as a service (IaaS) or platform as a service (PaaS) to customers within a private network or data center. A private cloud environment requires network security that can protect the traffic between different virtual machines (VMs) or other resources from cyberattacks and enforce granular security policies based on application, user, content, and threat information. Palo Alto Networks have deep integrations with VMware NSX-T and Cisco ACI, which are two private cloud environments that provide network virtualization, automation, and security for cloud-native applications. VMware NSX-T is a private cloud environment that provides software-defined networking (SDN) and security for heterogeneous endpoints and workloads across multiple hypervisors, containers, bare metal servers, or clouds. Cisco ACI is a private cloud environment that provides application-centric infrastructure (ACI) and security for physical and virtual endpoints across multiple data centers or clouds. Palo Alto Networks have deep integrations with VMware NSX-T and Cisco ACI by enabling features such as dynamic address groups, service insertion, policy redirection, service chaining, orchestration, monitoring, logging, and automation for VM-Series firewalls and Panorama on these platforms. Dell APEX and Nutanix are not private cloud environments that Palo Alto Networks have deep integrations with, but they are related platforms that can be used for other purposes. References: [Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE)], [Deploy the VM-Series Firewall on VMware NSX-T], [Deploy the VM-Series Firewall on Cisco ACI], [What is VMware NSX-T?], [What is Cisco ACI?]

The two public cloud platforms that the VM-Series plugin supports are:

Azure

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

A public cloud platform is a cloud computing service that provides infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), or software as a service (SaaS) to customers over the internet. A public cloud platform requires network security that can protect the traffic between different cloud services or regions from cyberattacks and enforce granular security policies based on application, user, content, and threat information. VM-Series firewall is a virtualized version of the Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall that can be deployed on various cloud or virtualization platforms. VM-Series plugin is a software component that extends the functionality of the VM-Series firewall and Panorama to support specific features and capabilities of different cloud platforms. Azure and AWS are two public cloud platforms that the VM-Series plugin supports. Azure is a public cloud platform that provides a range of cloud services, such as compute, storage, networking, databases, analytics, artificial intelligence, and more. AWS is a public cloud platform that provides a range of cloud services, such as EC2, S3, VPC, Lambda, and more. The VM-Series plugin supports Azure and AWS by enabling features such as bootstrapping, dynamic address groups, scaling, load balancing, high availability, monitoring, logging, and automation for VM-Series firewalls and Panorama on these platforms. IBM Cloud and OCI are not public cloud platforms that the VM-Series plugin supports, but they are related platforms that can be used for other purposes. References: [Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE)], [VM-Series Plugin Overview], [VM-Series Plugin for Azure], [VM-Series Plugin for AWS], [What is Azure?], [What is AWS?]

CN-Series devices obtain a VM-Series authorization key from Panorama. Panorama is a centralized management server that provides visibility and control over multiple Palo Alto Networks firewalls and devices. A VM-Series authorization key is a license key that activates the VM-Series firewall features and capacities. CN-Series devices obtain a VM-Series authorization key from Panorama by registering with Panorama using their CPU ID and requesting an authorization code from Panorama’s license pool. Panorama then generates an authorization key for the CN-Series device and sends it back to the device for activation. CN-Series devices do not obtain a VM-Series authorization key from local installation, GitHub, or Customer Support Portal, as those are not valid or relevant sources for license management. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Panorama Overview], [VM-Series Licensing Overview], [CN-Series Licensing]

The two statements that apply to the VM-Series plugin are:

It can be upgraded independently of PAN-OS.

It enables management of cloud-specific interactions between VM-Series firewalls and supported public cloud platforms.

The VM-Series plugin is a software component that extends the functionality of the PAN-OS operating system to support cloud-specific features and APIs. The VM-Series plugin can be upgraded independently of PAN-OS to provide faster access to new cloud capabilities and integrations. The VM-Series plugin enables management of cloud-specific interactions between VM-Series firewalls and supported public cloud platforms, such as AWS, Azure, GCP, Alibaba Cloud, and Oracle Cloud. These interactions include bootstrapping, licensing, scaling, high availability, load balancing, and tagging. The VM-Series plugin cannot manage capabilities common to both VM-Series firewalls and hardware firewalls, as those are handled by PAN-OS. The VM-Series plugin cannot manage Panorama plugins, as those are separate software components that extend the functionality of the Panorama management server to support cloud-specific features and APIs. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [VM-Series Plugin Overview], [VM-Series Plugin Release Notes]

The two features of CN-Series firewalls that protect east-west traffic between pods in different trust zones are:

Intrusion prevention system

Layer 7 visibility

East-west traffic is the traffic that flows between applications or workloads within a network or a cloud environment. Pods are the smallest units of deployment in Kubernetes, consisting of one or more containers that share resources and network space. Trust zones are segments of the network or the cloud environment that have different levels of security requirements or policies based on data sensitivity, user identity, device type, or application function. CN-Series firewalls are containerized firewalls that integrate with Kubernetes and provide visibility and control over container traffic. Intrusion prevention system is a feature of CN-Series firewalls that protects east-west traffic between pods in different trust zones by detecting and blocking known exploits and vulnerabilities using signature-based and behavior-based methods. Layer 7 visibility is a feature of CN-Series firewalls that protects east-west traffic between pods in different trust zones by identifying and classifying applications and protocols based on their content and characteristics, regardless of port, encryption, or evasion techniques. Communication with Panorama and external load balancer are not features of CN-Series firewalls that protect east-west traffic between pods in different trust zones, but they are related features that can enhance management and performance. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [CN-Series Concepts], [CN-Series Deployment Guide for Native K8], [Intrusion Prevention System Overview], [App-ID Overview]

The two methods of Zero Trust implementation that can benefit an organization are:

Boundaries are established

Access controls are enforced

Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no trust for any entity or network segment, and requires continuous verification and validation of all connections and transactions. Zero Trust implementation can benefit an organization by improving its security posture, reducing its attack surface, and enhancing its visibility and compliance. Boundaries are established is a method of Zero Trust implementation that involves defining and segmenting the network into smaller zones based on data sensitivity, user identity, device type, or application function. Boundaries are established can benefit an organization by isolating and protecting critical assets from unauthorized access or lateral movement. Access controls are enforced is a method of Zero Trust implementation that involves applying granular security policies based on the principle of least privilege to each zone or connection. Access controls are enforced can benefit an organization by preventing data exfiltration, malware propagation, or credential theft. Compliance is validated and security automation is seamlessly integrated are not methods of Zero Trust implementation, but they may be potential outcomes or benefits of implementing Zero Trust. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Zero Trust Security Model], [Zero Trust Network Security]

Containers are the elements that a CN-Series firewall can secure traffic between. Containers are isolated units of software that run on a shared operating system and have their own resources, dependencies, and configuration. A CN-Series firewall can inspect and enforce security policies on traffic between containers within a pod, across pods, or across namespaces in a Kubernetes cluster. Host containers, source applications, and IPods are not valid elements that a CN-Series firewall can secure traffic between. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [CN-Series Concepts], [What is a Container?]

CN-Series firewall is the software firewall that would help a prospect interested in securing an environment with Kubernetes. Kubernetes is a platform that provides orchestration, automation, and management of containerized applications. Kubernetes environment requires network security that can protect the inter-service communication from cyberattacks and enforce granular security policies based on application or workload characteristics. CN-Series firewall is a containerized firewall that integrates with Kubernetes and provides visibility and control over container traffic. CN-Series firewall can help a prospect interested in securing an environment with Kubernetes by inspecting and enforcing security policies on traffic between containers within a pod, across pods, or across namespaces in a Kubernetes cluster. KN-Series, ML-Series, VM-Series, and Cloud next-generation firewall are not software firewalls that would help a prospect interested in securing an environment with Kubernetes, but they are related solutions that can be deployed on different platforms or environments. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [CN-Series Datasheet], [CN-Series Concepts], [What is Kubernetes?]

DNS Security is a service that provides inbound traffic protection by preventing DNS-based attacks. DNS Security uses machine learning and threat intelligence to identify and block malicious domains, command and control (C2) traffic, and DNS tunneling. References: [DNS Security]

The appropriate file format for Kubernetes applications is .yaml. YAML is a human-readable data serialization language that is commonly used for configuration files. Kubernetes applications are defined and deployed using YAML files that specify the desired state and configuration of the application components, such as pods, services, deployments, or ingresses. YAML files for Kubernetes applications follow a specific syntax and structure that adhere to the Kubernetes API specifications. .exe, .json, and .xml are not appropriate file formats for Kubernetes applications, but they are related formats that can be used for other purposes. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [What is YAML?], [Kubernetes Basics], [Kubernetes API Overview]

Microsegmentation is a technology that allows for granular control of east-west traffic in a software-defined network. Microsegmentation divides the network into smaller segments or zones based on application or workload characteristics, and applies security policies to each segment. This reduces the attack surface and prevents unauthorized access or lateral movement within the network. Routing, MAC Access Control List, and Virtualization are not technologies that provide microsegmentation, but they are related concepts that can be used in conjunction with microsegmentation. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Microsegmentation with Palo Alto Networks], [Microsegmentation for Dummies]

VM-Series firewall is the software firewall that would assist a prospect who is interested in securing extensive DevOps deployments. DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development and IT operations to deliver software products faster and more reliably. DevOps deployments require network security that can protect the traffic between different stages of the software development lifecycle, such as development, testing, staging, and production, as well as between different cloud or virtualization platforms, such as public clouds, private clouds, or on-premises data centers. VM-Series firewall is a virtualized version of the Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewall that can be deployed on various cloud or virtualization platforms. VM-Series firewall can assist a prospect who is interested in securing extensive DevOps deployments by providing comprehensive security and visibility across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, protecting applications and data from cyberattacks, and supporting automation and orchestration tools that simplify and accelerate the deployment and configuration of firewalls across different platforms. CN-Series, Ion-Series, and Cloud next-generation firewall are not software firewalls that would assist a prospect who is interested in securing extensive DevOps deployments, but they are related solutions that can be deployed on specific platforms or environments. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [VM-Series Datasheet], [VM-Series Deployment Guide], [What is DevOps?]

Traffic is directed to a Palo Alto Networks firewall integrated with Cisco ACI through a policy-based redirect. Cisco ACI is a software-defined network (SDN) solution that provides network automation, orchestration, and visibility. A policy-based redirect is a mechanism that allows Cisco ACI to redirect traffic from one endpoint group (EPG) to another EPG through a service device, such as a Palo Alto Networks firewall. The firewall can then inspect and enforce security policies on the redirected traffic before sending it back to Cisco ACI. Traffic is not directed to a Palo Alto Networks firewall integrated with Cisco ACI by using contracts between endpoint groups that send traffic to the firewall using a shared policy, through a virtual machine (VM) monitor domain, or by creating an access policy, as those are not valid methods for traffic redirection in Cisco ACI. References: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (PCSFE), [Deploy the VM-Series Firewall on Cisco ACI], [Cisco ACI Policy-Based Redirect]