The Palo Alto Networks Certified Next-Generation Firewall Engineer (NGFW-Engineer) certification validates advanced expertise in deploying, configuring, and optimizing Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) technologies. This credential is designed for network security engineers, administrators, and consultants responsible for securing enterprise and service provider networks against modern threats.

Palo Alto Networks NGFWs go beyond traditional firewalls by integrating application awareness, user identification, advanced threat prevention, and traffic inspection into a single unified platform. The NGFW-Engineer certification ensures that candidates have the technical proficiency to maximize the firewall’s capabilities, from initial deployment to advanced configuration and troubleshooting.

Core domains covered include:

• NGFW Architecture & Deployment: understanding hardware platforms, VM-Series, and cloud-delivered firewall options, along with high availability and clustering.

• App-ID, User-ID, and Content-ID: enforcing security policies with application visibility, user-based controls, and advanced content filtering.

• Threat Prevention & Advanced Security Features: configuring intrusion prevention, DNS security, WildFire malware analysis, and URL filtering to stop zero-day attacks.

• Secure Remote Access & VPNs: deploying GlobalProtect for secure user access and IPSec tunnels for site-to-site connectivity.

• Policy Management: designing granular security rules, NAT policies, and segmentation for Zero Trust architectures.

• Traffic Flow & Routing: implementing static, dynamic, and policy-based routing in complex network environments.

• Monitoring, Logging, & Reporting: using built-in dashboards, logging service, and Panorama for centralized management and analytics.

• Troubleshooting & Best Practices: diagnosing issues with packet captures, log analysis, and CLI commands while applying industry-recommended configurations.

NGFW Architecture & Deployment: understanding hardware platforms, VM-Series, and cloud-delivered firewall options, along with high availability and clustering.

App-ID, User-ID, and Content-ID: enforcing security policies with application visibility, user-based controls, and advanced content filtering.

Threat Prevention & Advanced Security Features: configuring intrusion prevention, DNS security, WildFire malware analysis, and URL filtering to stop zero-day attacks.

Secure Remote Access & VPNs: deploying GlobalProtect for secure user access and IPSec tunnels for site-to-site connectivity.

Policy Management: designing granular security rules, NAT policies, and segmentation for Zero Trust architectures.

Traffic Flow & Routing: implementing static, dynamic, and policy-based routing in complex network environments.

Monitoring, Logging, & Reporting: using built-in dashboards, logging service, and Panorama for centralized management and analytics.

Troubleshooting & Best Practices: diagnosing issues with packet captures, log analysis, and CLI commands while applying industry-recommended configurations.

The NGFW-Engineer practice tests replicate real-world operational challenges, such as securing SaaS applications, mitigating DDoS attempts, or configuring policies to stop credential theft. Each question includes a comprehensive explanation to deepen understanding of both the technical configuration and the strategic reasoning behind it.

By preparing for this certification, professionals gain the knowledge to successfully implement and manage Palo Alto Networks NGFWs in diverse environments. Certified engineers are equipped for roles such as Network Security Engineer, Firewall Administrator, or Security Operations Specialist, proving their ability to safeguard organizations with Palo Alto Networks’ industry-leading firewall technology.