Accomplish the Palo Alto Networks PCCET exam and earn your mark in the field of IT security, particularly in areas such as cloud, network, and SOC. This designation serves as your ticket to more technical Palo Alto Networks certifications. It further welcomes you to the current cybersecurity features and network security concepts so you are ready to pursue a more specialized job role in the future. Hence, this path is highly recommended to anyone who wants to embark on a new career ― may it be technical professionals, non-technical individuals, or students.

Understanding PCCET Certification

The Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-Level Technician (PCCET) is the endorsement granted to successful PCCET exam-takers. This certification illustrates your understanding of the fundamentals of cybersecurity, along with SOC security, cloud security, and network security. It also establishes your command in the key functions and latest advancements within the Palo Alto Networks. Completing this certification is such a great move, most especially with the changes and complexity of the cybersecurity landscape. It gives you the assurance that your knowledge is consistent with the industry standards. The PCCET designation, in particular, is aligned with the workforce framework surrounding the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE).

Learning Significant Points of PCCET Evaluation

To prepare for the exam in question, let’s wade through the test specifications. Thus, the PCCET requires you to complete around 75 to 85 questions in a span of 70 to 80 minutes. The type of questions is a combination of multiple-choice, matching, and scenarios with graphics. Plus, you are given extra 5 minutes to review the Palo Alto Networks Exam Security guideline and another 5 minutes to answer the survey, making the total seating time around 80 to 90 minutes. Lastly, the exam is delivered in English via Pearson VUE, wherein you need to create an account to be admitted.

Uncovering Topics Covered in Final Test

In general, the topics involved in the exam are about cybersecurity, particularly its fundamental aspects and key terminologies. It also underlines the networking features, including switches, routers, IoT, and IP addresses, among others. Subsequently, it presses on cloud technologies and facets of security operations.

Familiarizing Exam Domains

The major subjects mentioned above are expounded in the official PCCET blueprint. This file gathers all the pertinent details of the actual exam, along with the weighted percentage of each section. So, be sure to utilize this document so you can prepare and study better.

• 15% ― Fundamentals of Cybersecurity

  The first domain covers the substantial features of cybersecurity, starting with the Web 2.0/3.0 services and applications. It then courses through applications utilized in evading port-based firewalls, cloud computing concerns, SaaS application risks, and cybersecurity laws. Relevant areas such as modern cyberattack life-cycle, latest high-profile cyberattacks, attack profiles, malware types, spamming categories, phishing attacks, and common Wi-Fi intrusions are discussed in the same topic as well. It’s also important that you know the differences between exploits and vulnerabilities, along with the ability to distinguish the characteristics that encompass an advanced persistent threat. Finally, other vital subjects involved are social engineering, perimeter-based network security, and Zero Trust design architecture.

• 25% ― The Connected Globe

  For the next area, it’s more on the features and functions that allow people to connect online and to other networks. Here, you should learn more about switches, routers, and hubs, together with routing protocols, area networks, topologies, data encapsulation processes, network firewalls, virtual private networks, and data loss prevention. Besides, make sure you can explain topics such as DNS, IoT, IPV4/IPV6 addresses, IPV4 subnetting, OSI and TCP/IP models, unified threat management, endpoint security basics, next-generation firewall features, mobile device management, identity and access management, and configuration management. Comparison between intrusion detection and intrusion prevention systems is also important, along with NGFW's four core subscription services. The last topic touches on the key purpose of network security management, particularly the Panorama service, deployment modes, and controls.

• 30% ― Cloud Technologies

  The third domain caters to your understanding of cloud computing according to the NIST. This is where you acquire relevant knowledge of cloud service, its deployment models, and security challenges. Such a section also emphasizes the main objectives of virtualization, the application deployment of containers, and serverless computing. As you continue with the core areas, it highlights the governance and compliance aspects associated with SaaS application deployment, together with other imperative subjects such as DevOps/ DevSecOps, east-west/ north-south traffic protection, traditional data security solution weaknesses, hybrid data center security phases, cloud application security pillars, and Prisma Access SASE architecture, among others.

• 30% ― Elements of Security Operations

  To complete the exam coverage, you have to unlock the crucial elements surrounding security operations. So, carry on with the major purpose of both SIEM and SOAR platforms, the analysis tools used in detecting a security compromise, and the significant features of AutoFocus. Finally, a domain like this wraps up with Cortex XDR endpoint protection, Cortex XSOAR, and Cortex Data Lake.

Getting to Know Career Opportunities at Hand

The career of a Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-Level Technician is very bright and promising. Your validated skillset allows you to enjoy a competitive advantage when it comes to applying for your dream position of a cybersecurity technician. As a rule, such specialists, who are only beginning their careers, are expected to receive the median salary of $21,500 as mentioned by ZipRecruiter. And according to the vendor’s website, having a Palo Alto Networks certificate in general increases your financial worth. In addition, professionals who are Palo Alto Networks certified are prioritized over other candidates because of their credibility.

Plotting More Effective Certificate Path

As an entry-level certification, the PCCET focuses on the security associate role. It then prepares you for the security administrator level, which is done via the Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA). The next tier is a security engineer and it comes with three options ― the Prisma Certified Cloud Security Engineer (PCCSE), Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE), and Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Automation Engineer (PCSAE). If you have decided to polish your skill set, you won’t have a hard time looking for the right training materials because each certification has its own set of requirements as well as recommended prep resources.