Choosing the Right Palo Alto Networks PSE Pro Exam: Cloud vs Hardware vs Software
For professionals working with Palo Alto Networks technologies, the PSE Professional certifications offer a clear path to demonstrate deep, hands-on skills in deploying and managing security solutions across various environments.
As of 2024, three of the most prominent PSE Pro exams are:
- PSE-Prisma-Pro-24 – Cloud Security (Prisma Cloud)
- PSE-Strata-Pro-24 – Hardware Firewall (Strata platform)
- PSE-SWFW-Pro-24 – Software Firewall (VM-Series and CN-Series)
Each certification targets a distinct technology focus and career path. If you’re unsure which one to pursue, this guide will help you understand the differences and choose the right exam based on your goals and environment.
PSE-Prisma-Pro-24: For Cloud Security and DevSecOps Roles
If your role involves working in public cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP), Kubernetes, or container security, the PSE-Prisma-Pro-24 is a strong match. This exam focuses on Palo Alto Networks’ Prisma Cloud platform, a comprehensive CNAPP (Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform) solution.
Ideal For:
Cloud Security Engineers
DevSecOps Professionals
Site Reliability Engineers (SREs)
Architects working with containers or serverless
Skills Covered:
Securing cloud workloads and container environments
Monitoring cloud asset configurations and risks
CI/CD integration with security policies
Managing compliance in multicloud environments
Choose this path if your work is centered around cloud-native applications, infrastructure as code (IaC), and security automation in the cloud.
PSE-Strata-Pro-24: For On-Prem and Hybrid Network Security Roles
The PSE-Strata-Pro-24 exam is all about securing physical network infrastructure using Palo Alto’s hardware firewalls (such as the PA-Series). This certification is perfect for professionals who manage enterprise data centers, remote site deployments, or hybrid environments with physical network components.
Ideal For:
Network Security Engineers
System Integrators
Infrastructure Architects
On-Prem Network Operations Teams
Skills Covered:
Firewall deployment and high availability (HA)
Security policy creation and traffic filtering
Threat prevention, URL filtering, and WildFire
Management via Panorama and on-device tools
Choose this certification if your daily responsibilities involve physical devices, network segmentation, or enterprise perimeter defense.
PSE-SWFW-Pro-24: For Virtual and Software-Defined Security Deployments
If you’re involved in virtualization, cloud-based firewalls, or software-defined networking (SDN), the PSE-SWFW-Pro-24 is tailored to your needs. This certification focuses on Palo Alto’s VM-Series and CN-Series software firewalls, deployed in virtual machines, public cloud platforms, or containerized environments.
Ideal For:
Cloud Architects
Virtualization Engineers
Platform Engineers deploying firewalls in VMware or KVM
Security Engineers managing firewalls in AWS, Azure, GCP, or Kubernetes
Skills Covered:
Deploying VM-Series in public and private clouds
Automating deployment with Terraform or Ansible
Integrating software firewalls with DevOps pipelines
Managing virtual firewalls across dynamic environments
This path is best if you’re focusing on virtual infrastructure security, agility, and scalability in modern IT ecosystems.
How to Choose the Right PSE Pro Exam
- You work primarily in public cloud environments: PSE-Prisma-Pro-24
- Your focus is on physical network appliances and perimeter security: PSE-Strata-Pro-24
- You secure virtualized workloads and cloud-native platforms: PSE-SWFW-Pro-24
- You’re part of a DevSecOps team or manage cloud CI/CD pipelines: PSE-Prisma-Pro-24
- You manage firewall deployments in VMware or KVM: PSE-SWFW-Pro-24
- You maintain firewalls across branch offices or data centers: PSE-Strata-Pro-24
Each Palo Alto Networks PSE Pro certification aligns with a specific architecture and skill set – cloud-native security, physical firewalls, or virtualized software firewalls. Choosing the right path depends on your current role, career aspirations, and the technologies you’re most engaged with. By earning a PSE Pro certification, you not only validate your technical abilities but also position yourself as a trusted engineer who can design and implement next-generation security solutions in any environment.
