Validates the knowledge and skills required for virtual network security engineers to deploy, operate, manage, and troubleshoot Palo Alto Networks software firewalls across VM-Series, CN-Series, and Cloud NGFW environments.
The PCSFE certification validates the knowledge and skills to deploy, operate, manage, and troubleshoot Palo Alto Networks software firewalls — including VM-Series, CN-Series, and Cloud NGFW — across public cloud, private cloud, and containerised environments. It covers six exam domains: Software Firewall Fundamentals, Deployment Architecture, Automation and Orchestration, Technology Integration, Troubleshooting, and Management Plugins and Log Forwarding.
Recommended prerequisites: EDU-210, EDU-220, and EDU-330, plus Cybersecurity Apprentice, Practitioner, and Network Security Generalist designations are strongly recommended. Hands-on experience with cloud platforms and VM-Series is highly advised.
Differentiate software firewalls — VM-Series, CN-Series, Cloud NGFW (AWS/Azure), CDSS subscriptions, and licensing options (Flex, PAYG, ELA)
Describe VM-Series deployment models — centralized, distributed, GCP/AWS/Azure GWLB, autoscaling, HA, Azure VNET, and VWAN deployments
Deploy CN-Series firewalls — Daemonset, Kubernetes service, CNF, hyperscale mode, and VM-Series private cloud integrations (vwire, L3 mode)
Automate and orchestrate software firewalls — Ansible, Terraform, AWS CloudFormation templates, Panorama for VM/CN-Series, Helm charts, and Cloud NGFW interface
Integrate with third-party technologies — VM-Series with Intelligent Traffic Offload (ITO), marketplaces (GCP, Azure, AWS, Alibaba Cloud), CN-Series with Panorama
Troubleshoot software firewalls — CN-Series and VM-Series deployment/traffic issues, Cloud NGFW problems, and Panorama plugins (Kubernetes, public cloud, VMware vCenter/NSX)
Network security engineers and cloud architects who deploy and manage Palo Alto Networks VM-Series and CN-Series firewalls in cloud and virtual environments
Systems integrators and support engineers responsible for configuring and troubleshooting software NGFW in private and public cloud deployments
DevOps and Kubernetes engineers who deploy CN-Series container firewalls and manage software firewall automation using Ansible or Terraform
PCNSE holders expanding their expertise into software and cloud firewall deployment with Palo Alto Networks VM-Series and Cloud NGFW
Zetlan Technologies offers expert-led PCSFE preparation covering all six exam domains from software firewall fundamentals through management plugins and log forwarding with live sessions and labs.
Click any domain to expand and explore all topics covered in the official PCSFE exam blueprint.
Master VM-Series, CN-Series, Cloud NGFW deployment, automation, and troubleshooting with Zetlan Technologies' expert-led PCSFE preparation program.