What is the PCNSA Certification
PCNSA (Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator) is a vendor credential focused on the skills to configure and operate Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) and related network security features (e.g., policies, App-ID, User-ID, Content-ID, NAT, URL filtering, monitoring). It sits within Palo Alto Networks’ role-based certification program, which is organised by platform areas (Network Security, Security Operations, Cloud Security) and by level (Foundational, Professional, Specialist). The overall program is maintained by Palo Alto Networks Education Services and delivered worldwide through Pearson VUE.
Palo Alto Networks continuously updates the certification portfolio to align with product releases and job roles. For example, program updates have refreshed network security exams as PAN-OS evolves, keeping objectives aligned with day-to-day administration on the NGFW platform.
Why is the PCNSA Certification so popular
Role-aligned and practical: PCNSA validates hands-on administration skills directly mapped to tasks firewall administrators perform (device management, objects, policy evaluation, securing traffic, and reporting). This alignment to operational work is a core principle of Palo Alto’s certification program.
Backed by a training ecosystem: Education Services provides free digital learning plus instructor-led training (ILT) with labs (e.g., EDU-210 Firewall Essentials) that map directly to NGFW administration and exam preparation.
Recognised exam delivery: Exams are scheduled and taken with Pearson VUE, giving predictable processes, ID requirements and testing policies across Australia and globally.
Is the PCNSA Certification worth it today
If you administer or support Palo Alto Networks firewalls or want to move into that role PCNSA remains a logical, vendor-issued proof of capability. The certification is supported by current product training (EDU-210 and Panorama courses), and the overall program emphasises job-ready skills that map to platform responsibilities rather than abstract theory.
In 2025, Palo Alto Networks reiterated its focus on credential integrity and test security (e.g., consolidating exam delivery at Pearson VUE test centres), which underlines the market credibility of its credentials.
Pros of PCNSA Certification
Job availability: Palo Alto Networks’ certification portfolio is role-based, explicitly validating skills for platform roles such as Network Security administration. That direct mapping helps employers interpret PCNSA as a signal of firewall administration capability.
Salary potential: The certification itself doesn’t set pay, but the Education Services program is designed to validate current, job-specific skills that make professionals more competitive for security administration roles an important factor in compensation discussions.
Global recognition: PCNSA is part of Palo Alto Networks’ vendor portfolio; testing runs through Pearson VUE’s global network with published policies and identification requirements, making the credential widely recognised and portable.
Career pathways: PCNSA pairs naturally with further Network Security learning and adjacent platform courses—e.g., Panorama management and troubleshooting so you can stack skills and progress to deeper engineering responsibilities.
Cons of PCNSA Certification
Cost considerations: Exact pricing is shown during scheduling in Pearson VUE, and may vary by local taxes and currency. Palo Alto Networks does not publish a single Australia-specific fee on its public pages. Always confirm the AUD amount in your Pearson VUE checkout before finalising.
Evolving industry demands: NGFW administration evolves with each PAN-OS release and with new capabilities across the portfolio. Palo Alto Networks revises exams and study materials to reflect these changes, so expect continuous learning beyond the initial certification.
Certification difficulty: Although PCNSA targets administrators, the blueprint spans practical configuration and policy logic. Learners typically benefit from a mix of EDU-210 labs and digital learning to build the confidence needed for scenario-style questions.
Where to Begin to Get Your PCNSA Certification
Map your learning plan in Education Services
Start with free digital learning to refresh NGFW concepts and product basics.
Take instructor-led training (recommended)
EDU-210: Firewall Essentials provides hands-on configuration and management of NGFW and aligns well to PCNSA objectives.
If you manage fleets, consider Panorama courses for centralised administration.
Schedule the exam with Pearson VUE
Create or log in to your Pearson VUE account; pick a test centre in Australia, review ID requirements and policies, and confirm price at checkout. From 1 August 2025, Palo Alto Networks moved to in-person testing only.
Key Topics Covered in PCNSA
The PCNSA scope focuses on administering Palo Alto Networks NGFW to enable secure, application-aware traffic:
- Next-Generation Security Platform and architecture basics
- Firewall configuration and device management (interfaces, updates, admin roles)
- Security and NAT policies and policy evaluation
- App-ID, Content-ID and User-ID for identity- and application-aware controls
- URL filtering, monitoring and reporting, and security best practices
Use EDU-210 and digital modules to practise these tasks on the latest PAN-OS.
Is a PCNSA Enough to Get a Job
For roles that explicitly require day-to-day NGFW administration, PCNSA is a strong differentiator because it demonstrates vendor-verified capability. Employers still look for hands-on exposure (lab time, change windows, ticketing history), which Palo Alto’s ILT courses and digital labs can help you build.
Is PCNSA Worth It in Australia
Yes if your environment runs Palo Alto Networks firewalls or you aim to support customers who do. You can train via Education Services and sit the exam at Pearson VUE test centres around Australia, benefiting from the program’s global standards and structured learning paths.
Does Having a PCNSA Certification Pay Well
Pay is set by employers, not the exam. However, Palo Alto Networks designs its certifications to validate job-specific, current skills, which can strengthen your case for firewall admin or security engineer roles and support progression to higher-responsibility positions.
Is the PCNSA Very Difficult
Expect moderate difficulty. The objectives concentrate on how policies are built and enforced, and on operational tasks an administrator performs daily. Candidates who complete EDU-210 and practise on labs typically find they can translate classroom skills into exam success.
Is the PCNSA Certification Stressful
Any timed exam can feel stressful, but you can reduce friction by using Education Services resources (digital and ILT) to rehearse tasks, and reviewing Pearson VUE test-day policies and ID requirements ahead of time.
How Many Fail PCNSA
Palo Alto Networks does not publish pass/fail statistics for individual exams. The Certification Handbook covers program-wide policies (scoring, retakes, exam security) and is considered required reading for candidates.
The Future of Networking Jobs in Australia
Palo Alto Networks continues to expand Education Services and role-based certifications and keeps NGFW-aligned training (like EDU-210 and Panorama courses) current reflecting sustained enterprise focus on network security operations. For professionals managing firewalls in Australian organisations or MSPs, a credential anchored to a widely deployed platform remains relevant.