​If implemented and managed correctly, the Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation FireWall is one of the few security solutions that can truly protect enterprises from modern cyber threats without negatively affecting their operation. We have put our over 10 years’ experience in working with Palo Alto Networks together and compiled this list of Best Practices to help you to secure your network by leveraging the full potential of your Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation FireWall. Besides our own, it incorporates security best practices recommended by Palo Alto Networks "BPA" as well as the Center for Internet Security "CIS Controls".

Update 29.06.2020 - Mitigate SAML Bypass Vulnerability without upgrade (CVE-2020-2021) - This video explains how to securely set up SAML authentication end-to-end against Office 365 Azure AD. The critical element which explains how to set up certificate validation of the SAML Identity Provider starts at 29:35. With this configuration, there is no immediate need to upgrade the FireWall, although an upgrade should always be considered. It also fixes the commit error "Validate Identity Provider Certificate is checked but no Certificate Profile is provided authentication-profile"

Being able to authenticate your GlobalProtect or Prisma Access remote workers against Office 365 is very convenient as it provides a seamless single sign-on experience to the user. Of course its great from a security point of view as well, because you can use the integrated dual factor authentication that comes with Office 365.
But of course in order to authenticate against Office 365 you cannot use classical protocols like LDAP or Radius, instead you need SAML. Luckily, both Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks have made the integration very simple, and in this video we will show you the configuration end-to-end with all the tips and tricks you need to know to make to work.

Palo Alto Networks Training - FireWall Best Practices | Want to learn more? Our Palo Alto Networks Courses teach you how to master the Next-Generation FireWall.

Update 30.6.2020 - at around 5:40 in the video I'm mentioning Microsoft's misleading example for using wildcards in the identifier URL. While wildcards are not supported in standard marketplace app, they can be used in the manifest file of the enterprise app. This is tremendously useful for usage on Prisma Access. Thanks to @Marc Barten for providing this information.

With this powershell script you can add multiple identifier to the Azure AD Enterprise application as shown in the video.

Connect-AzureAD
$app = Get-AzureADApplication -SearchString "Your GP SAML App"
$ReplyURLS = New-Object System.Collections.Generic.List[string]
$Identifiers = New-Object System.Collections.Generic.List[string]
$ReplyURLS.add("https://portal1.customer.com:443/SAML20/SP/ACS")
$ReplyURLS.add("https://portal2.customer.com:443/SAML20/SP/ACS")
$ReplyURLS.add("https://gw1.customer.com:443/SAML20/SP/ACS")
$ReplyURLS.add("https://gw2.customer.com:443/SAML20/SP/ACS")
$identifiers.add("https://portal1.customer.com:443/SAML20/SP")
$identifiers.add("https://portal2.customer.com:443/SAML20/SP")
$identifiers.add("https://gw1.customer.com:443/SAML20/SP")
$identifiers.add("https://gw2.customer.com:443/SAML20/SP")
Set-AzureADApplication -ObjectId $app.ObjectId -ReplyUrls $ReplyURLS
Set-AzureADApplication -ObjectId $app.ObjectId -identifieruris $identifiers

Disclaimer: Consigas Limited accepts no liability for the content of this blog post, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Any views or opinions presented in this document are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Palo Alto Networks.

Getting a network to fail-over between the two Internet lines or even load balance traffic between them can be real challenge. In this Palo Alto Networks Training Video, we will show you how it can be done using policy based forwarding "PBF".

FireWall Concepts Training Series - over the next couple of weeks and months we will release new videos on core concepts, explaining the fundamental workings of the Next-Generation FireWall starting with the Threat Landscape, then deployment methods, NAT, App-ID, SSL Decryption, VPNs and many more. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

​Soon we will publish training videos explaining all of the Palo Alto Networks Security Best Practice in detail, sign-up to our mailing list and we will let you known once it is available, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Disclaimer: Consigas Limited accepts no liability for the content of this blog post, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Any views or opinions presented in this document are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Palo Alto Networks.

Fully separating traffic is easy with the Next-Generation FireWall. While with other vendors you might need dedicated virtual systems, with Palo Alto Networks just adding another virtual router is enough. In this Palo Alto Networks Training Video, we will show you the concept including inter VR routing.

FireWall Concepts Training Series - over the next couple of weeks and months we will release new videos on core concepts, explaining the fundamental workings of the Next-Generation FireWall starting with the Threat Landscape, then deployment methods, NAT, App-ID, SSL Decryption, VPNs and many more. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Soon we will publish training videos explaining all of the Palo Alto Networks Security Best Practice in detail, sign-up to our mailing list and we will let you known once it is available, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Disclaimer: Consigas Limited accepts no liability for the content of this blog post, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Any views or opinions presented in this document are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Palo Alto Networks.

If you have some constrains in your network then using Layer-2 interfaces can be very powerful, but it can become very complex very quickly so its important to keep it simple. In this Palo Alto Networks Training Video, we will explain you the concept and some use cases.

FireWall Concepts Training Series - over the next couple of weeks and months we will release new videos on core concepts, explaining the fundamental workings of the Next-Generation FireWall starting with the Threat Landscape, then deployment methods, NAT, App-ID, SSL Decryption, VPNs and many more. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Soon we will publish training videos explaining all of the Palo Alto Networks Security Best Practice in detail, sign-up to our mailing list and we will let you known once it is available, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Disclaimer: Consigas Limited accepts no liability for the content of this blog post, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Any views or opinions presented in this document are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Palo Alto Networks.

Deploying the Next-Generation FireWall in Tap mode is the easiest way to establish Full Network Visibility while not taking any operational risks. In this Palo Alto Networks Training Video, we will  explain you the concept and some use cases​.

FireWall Concepts Training Series - over the next couple of weeks and months we will release new videos on core concepts, explaining the fundamental workings of the Next-Generation FireWall starting with the Threat Landscape, then deployment methods, NAT, App-ID, SSL Decryption, VPNs and many more. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Soon we will publish training videos explaining all of the Palo Alto Networks Security Best Practice in detail, sign-up to our mailing list and we will let you known once it is available, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Disclaimer: Consigas Limited accepts no liability for the content of this blog post, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Any views or opinions presented in this document are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Palo Alto Networks.

Deploying the Next-Generation FireWall using a Virtual-Wire is the fastest way to get it into the network and with this establish Full Visibility and control. In this Palo Alto Networks Training Video, we will explain you the concept and some use cases​.

FireWall Concepts Training Series - over the next couple of weeks and months we will release new videos on core concepts, explaining the fundamental workings of the Next-Generation FireWall starting with the Threat Landscape, then deployment methods, NAT, App-ID, SSL Decryption, VPNs and many more. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Soon we will publish training videos explaining all of the Palo Alto Networks Security Best Practice in detail, sign-up to our mailing list and we will let you known once it is available, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Disclaimer: Consigas Limited accepts no liability for the content of this blog post, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Any views or opinions presented in this document are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Palo Alto Networks.

Interface Management Profiles are an important element when setting up Layer-3 interfaces. In this Palo Alto Networks Training Video, we will show you what it is and how it works.

FireWall Concepts Training Series - over the next couple of weeks and months we will release new videos on core concepts, explaining the fundamental workings of the Next-Generation FireWall starting with the Threat Landscape, then deployment methods, NAT, App-ID, SSL Decryption, VPNs and many more. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Soon we will publish training videos explaining all of the Palo Alto Networks Security Best Practice in detail, sign-up to our mailing list and we will let you known once it is available, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Disclaimer: Consigas Limited accepts no liability for the content of this blog post, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Any views or opinions presented in this document are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Palo Alto Networks.

Setting up a new physical interface can be cumbersome because you first have to get them cabled up and then you even need to be lucky enough to have an interface left. In this Palo Alto Networks Training Video, we will show you how to add a nearly unlimited amount of interfaces without cabling using Layer-3 sub-interfaces.

FireWall Concepts Training Series - over the next couple of weeks and months we will release new videos on core concepts, explaining the fundamental workings of the Next-Generation FireWall starting with the Threat Landscape, then deployment methods, NAT, App-ID, SSL Decryption, VPNs and many more. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Soon we will publish training videos explaining all of the Palo Alto Networks Security Best Practice in detail, sign-up to our mailing list and we will let you known once it is available, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube to stay up-to-date.

Disclaimer: Consigas Limited accepts no liability for the content of this blog post, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. Any views or opinions presented in this document are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Palo Alto Networks.