The question asks how Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Strata Hardware Firewalls enable the mapping of transactions as part of Zero Trust principles, requiring a systems engineer (SE) to provide two narratives for a customer RFP response. Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no trust by default, requiring continuous verification of all transactions, users, and devices-inside and outside the network. The Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW), part of the Strataportfolio, supports this through its advanced visibility, decryption, and policy enforcement capabilities. Below is a detailed explanation of why options B and D are the correct narratives, verified against official Palo Alto Networks documentation.
Step 1: Understanding Zero Trust and Transaction Mapping in PAN-OS
Zero Trust principles, as defined by frameworks like NIST SP 800-207, emphasize identifying and verifying every transaction (e.g., network flows, application requests) based on context such as user identity, application, and data. For Palo Alto Networks NGFWs, "mapping of transactions" refers to the ability to identify, classify, and control network traffic with granular detail, enabling verification and enforcement aligned with Zero Trust.
The PAN-OS operating system achieves this through:
* App-ID: Identifies applications regardless of port or protocol.
* User-ID: Maps IP addresses to user identities.
* Content-ID: Inspects and protects content, including decryption for visibility.
* Security Policies: Enforces rules based on these mappings.