Free PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall Exam Questions and Answers
Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall is part of the Palo Alto Networks Certification Program. Palo Alto has replaced its lettered codes with plain-English role names across four levels — Foundational, Professional, Specialist and Architect. Any code beginning PC is from the retired generation: PCCET, PCNSA and PCSFE ended on 31 January 2025, PCDRA on 30 April, and PCNSE, PCCSE and PCSAE on 31 July 2025. Every exam runs 90 minutes and is scored 300 to 1000 with 860 to pass.
Candidates comparing PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall exam dumps, ExamTopics and other practice tests use this page for the answers and explanations behind each question. Download the free PDF, then sit the timed exam simulation before booking with Palo Alto Networks.
Last updated: November 5, 2026
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Question #1
A customer connects its data center to two different ISPs. Each ISP terminates on a separate NGFW, and return traffic frequently arrives at the firewall that did not process the original request. The customer wants both firewalls to forward traffic at the same time. Which design should the systems engineer recommend?
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Active/active HA lets both firewalls forward traffic, and the HA3 link carries packets for asymmetrically routed sessions to the peer that owns the session so inspection stays consistent. In active/passive HA only one firewall forwards traffic, so session sync and link monitoring do not meet the requirement. Standalone firewalls with a floating IP cannot share session state at all.
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Question #2
A customer enables SSL Forward Proxy decryption on its PA-3400 Series firewall. Afterward, a mobile banking app used on the corporate Wi-Fi network fails to connect, while browsers work normally. The app vendor confirms the app uses certificate pinning. What should the systems engineer recommend?
Correct answer: A
Explanation
A pinned app rejects any certificate not issued by the expected CA, so the firewall's re-signed certificate always fails. Excluding that traffic with a No Decrypt rule placed above the decrypt rule is the standard fix. Installing the Forward Trust CA on devices does not help pinned apps, and Inbound Inspection applies only to servers the customer owns.
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Question #3
A customer asks which protections can be applied to traffic entering its untrust zone before it reaches the Security policy. Which two protections can the systems engineer configure in a Zone Protection profile? (Choose two.)
Select 2 answers.
Correct answer: C, D
Explanation
A Zone Protection profile provides flood protection, reconnaissance protection and packet-based attack protection on the ingress zone. Antivirus decoder actions belong to Antivirus profiles and URL category handling belongs to URL Filtering, both applied through Security policy rules instead of the zone.
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Question #4
A customer's change board worries that a new Applications and Threats content update could alter how existing App-ID based rules match traffic. Which configuration should the systems engineer suggest?
Correct answer: B
Explanation
A content update threshold delays installation of new releases so they are vetted first, and the policy review feature shows which rules are affected by new or changed App-IDs. Quarterly manual updates leave the customer exposed to new threats, and immediate installation provides no vetting window.
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Question #5
A customer wants to insert an NGFW between two data center switches carrying VLANs 10, 20 and 30. The firewall must not change IP addressing, take part in switching or routing, and must apply a different Security policy to each VLAN. Which deployment should the systems engineer recommend?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Virtual Wire interfaces are transparent to routing and switching, and virtual wire subinterfaces can be classified by VLAN tag so each VLAN can be placed in its own zone and matched by separate rules. A Layer 3 pair would change the network design, and a Tap interface cannot enforce policy.
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Question #6
A customer publishes a DMZ web server with private address 10.1.50.10 in the dmz zone. A destination NAT rule translates public address 203.0.113.20 on the untrust side to the server. Which Security policy rule settings permit inbound internet connections to the server?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Security policy is matched using the pre-NAT destination IP address and the post-NAT destination zone. The rule therefore uses the public address 203.0.113.20 with the dmz zone where the server resides. Using the private address or the pre-NAT zone causes the rule to miss the traffic.
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Question #7
Which Cloud-Delivered Security Services subscription uses machine learning to identify unmanaged IoT and OT devices on a network and assess their risk?
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Device Security (formerly IoT Security) profiles devices from firewall-observed traffic by using machine learning, builds an inventory, and assesses risk. Enterprise DLP protects sensitive data, SaaS Security covers sanctioned and unsanctioned SaaS apps, and Advanced URL Filtering categorizes web traffic.
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Question #8
A customer hosts public HTTPS web servers in a DMZ behind a PA-1420 firewall. The customer wants the firewall to inspect inbound sessions for threats and can import each server's certificate and private key onto the firewall. Which decryption method should the systems engineer recommend?
Correct answer: B
Explanation
SSL Inbound Inspection is used for traffic from external clients to servers the organization owns, and it requires the server certificate and private key on the firewall. SSL Forward Proxy is for outbound client traffic to external servers and uses a forged certificate instead. SSH Proxy applies to SSH, and Decryption Port Mirror only copies decrypted traffic to an external tool.
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Question #9
A customer is deploying a pair of PA-3430 firewalls in a data center. The routed design sends some flows through one firewall and the return traffic through the other. Both firewalls must forward traffic at the same time. Which high availability configuration should the systems engineer propose?
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Active/active HA lets both peers process traffic and synchronizes sessions, which supports asymmetric routing designs. In active/passive HA only one peer forwards traffic, and preemption or path monitoring only affects which peer is active. Standalone firewalls with a floating IP share no session state.
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Question #10
During a proof of value, a customer states that the firewall cannot be placed inline with production traffic. The network team can mirror the core switch uplink to a SPAN port. The customer wants to see application and threat visibility only. Which interface type should the systems engineer configure on the firewall?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
A tap interface receives mirrored traffic from a SPAN port and provides visibility into applications and threats without being inline. It cannot block traffic. Virtual wire, Layer 2 and Layer 3 interfaces all sit inline in the traffic path.
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Discussion
Explain your reasoning, not just the letterOther Palo Alto Networks certifications
- PCNSE: Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (opens in a new tab)
- PCNSA: Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (opens in a new tab)
- PCCSE: Prisma Certified Cloud Security Engineer (opens in a new tab)
- PCCET: Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (opens in a new tab)
- PCSAE: Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Automation Engineer (opens in a new tab)
- PSE-Cortex: Palo Alto Networks System Engineer Professional - Cortex (opens in a new tab)
- PCCSA: Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (opens in a new tab)
- PSE-SASE: Palo Alto Networks System Engineer Professional - SASE (opens in a new tab)
- PSE Strata: Palo Alto Networks System Engineer Professional - Strata (opens in a new tab)
- PCDRA: Palo Alto Networks Certified Detection and Remediation Analyst (opens in a new tab)
- PCSFE: Palo Alto Networks Certified Software Firewall Engineer (opens in a new tab)
- ACE: Accredited Configuration Engineer (opens in a new tab)
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FAQ
Learn More: https://live.paloaltonetworks.com/t5/certification/ct-p/Certification
- Q1: What is the PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall exam?
- A: PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall is a Palo Alto Networks certification exam. Judging by the questions in our bank, it concentrates on palo, alto, NGFWS, NGFW and engineer.
- Q2: What topics does the PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall exam cover?
- A: Questions in our PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall bank cluster around palo, alto, NGFWS, NGFW, engineer, networks, cloud-delivered and CDSS. Working through the full set is the quickest way to find which of these you are weakest on.
- Q3: How should I prepare for PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall?
- A: Work through the PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall practice questions here, checking your answer on each one, then sit the practice test to rehearse the exam under timed conditions before the real thing.
- Q4: Are these real PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall exam questions?
- A: They are drawn from officially released past questions and from community members who have sat PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall. Answers are verified and updated weekly.
- Q5: Where do I register for the PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall exam?
- A: Register through Palo Alto Networks directly. Exampractice is not affiliated with Palo Alto Networks and does not administer the exam.
- Q6: Is there a free PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall sample?
- A: Yes. Every PSE-Strata-Pro-24: Palo Alto Networks Systems Engineer Professional - Hardware Firewall page shows a free sample of real questions. Upgrading opens the full bank and the practice test.
- Q7: What are Palo Alto Networks Certification Exams?
- A: Palo Alto Networks Certification Exams validate your expertise in using and managing Palo Alto Networks' cybersecurity solutions. These certifications demonstrate your proficiency in deploying, configuring, and optimizing Palo Alto Networks technologies to protect networks, systems, and data from cyber threats.
- Q8: Why should I pursue Palo Alto Networks Certification?
- A: Palo Alto Networks Certification enhances your professional credibility, showcasing your skills and knowledge in cybersecurity. This can lead to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and career advancement in IT security, network security, and cybersecurity roles.
- Q9: What are the benefits of Palo Alto Networks Certification?
- A: Benefits include recognition as a certified cybersecurity professional, improved job performance, access to exclusive resources, continuing education opportunities, and staying current with the latest Palo Alto Networks technologies and best practices.
- Q10: Who should take Palo Alto Networks Certification Exams?
- A: IT security professionals, network administrators, system administrators, security analysts, and anyone involved in managing and implementing Palo Alto Networks security solutions should consider these certifications to validate their expertise and advance their careers.
- Q11: What types of Palo Alto Networks Certification Exams are available?
- A: Palo Alto Networks offers various certification paths, including:
- Q12: How do I prepare for Palo Alto Networks Certification Exams?
- A: Preparation can include official Palo Alto Networks training courses, study guides, practice exams, online tutorials, and hands-on experience with Palo Alto Networks products and solutions.
- Q13: Where can I take Palo Alto Networks Certification Exams?
- A: Palo Alto Networks Certification Exams can be taken at authorized Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide or online, providing flexibility to fit your schedule and location.
- Q14: How do Palo Alto Networks Certifications impact my career?
- A: Palo Alto Networks Certifications significantly boost your career by demonstrating your expertise to employers, making you a more competitive candidate for advanced roles and promotions in IT security, network security, and cybersecurity.
- Q15: Are there any prerequisites for Palo Alto Networks Certification Exams?
- A: Some exams may have prerequisites, such as foundational knowledge or prior experience with Palo Alto Networks products. Check the specific requirements for each certification path on the Palo Alto Networks certification website.
- Q16: How often do I need to recertify for Palo Alto Networks Certifications?
- A: Palo Alto Networks Certifications typically require recertification every two years to ensure that certified professionals stay updated with the latest cybersecurity technologies and industry practices.