10+ Interview Questions and Answers

To configure a firewall from scratch, the first step is to define the security policy.

• Define the security policy based on the organization's requirements and compliance standards

• Identify the network topology and determine the zones that need to be protected

• Select the appropriate firewall hardware or software based on the requirements

• Configure the firewall rules to allow or deny traffic based on the security policy

• Test the firewall configuration to ensure it is working as inte...read more

Check the system logs for cluster failure in Paloalto firewall.

• Check the system logs for any error messages related to cluster failure

• Look for logs indicating cluster synchronization issues

• Review logs for any hardware or software failures in the cluster

There are four types of logs in the monitor tab in Panorama.

• Traffic logs

• Threat logs

• URL logs

• Data logs

A firewall filters traffic based on predetermined rules, while a next generation firewall includes additional features like intrusion prevention and application awareness.

• Firewall filters traffic based on IP addresses and ports

• Next generation firewall includes intrusion prevention, application awareness, and deep packet inspection

• NGFW can identify and block advanced threats like malware and ransomware

• NGFW can provide more granular control over applications and users

The session table typically stores information about active network connections and their associated details.

• Contains information such as source and destination IP addresses

• Stores port numbers being used in the connection

• Tracks the protocol being used (e.g. TCP, UDP)

• May include timestamps for when the connection was established and last active

HA3 belongs to HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code) and is used for secure authentication and integrity verification.

• HA3 stands for Hash-based Message Authentication Code 3

• It is used in cryptographic hash functions for secure authentication and integrity verification

• HA3 is commonly used in network security protocols such as TLS (Transport Layer Security) and IPsec (Internet Protocol Security)

Heart Beat link is a feature in network security that ensures continuous communication between devices.

• Heart Beat link is a mechanism used to maintain a connection between two devices by sending periodic signals.

• It helps in detecting if a device is still active and reachable on the network.

• If the Heart Beat link fails, it can trigger alerts or actions to address the issue.

• Example: In a VPN connection, Heart Beat link can be used to ensure the tunnel remains open and active.

Application override is a feature in network security that allows certain applications to bypass security policies.

• Application override allows specific applications to bypass firewall rules or other security measures.

• It is typically used for critical applications that may be blocked by default security settings.

• Administrators can configure application override rules to allow certain traffic to pass through the network without inspection.

• This feature can be useful for ensuring...read more

Stateful means the system or device keeps track of the state of active connections and can differentiate between different connections.

• Stateful devices maintain information about the state of active connections

• They can differentiate between different connections based on various parameters

• Stateful firewalls keep track of the state of network connections to make decisions on allowing or blocking traffic

The phases of a VPN include initiation, negotiation, data transfer, and termination.

• Initiation phase involves establishing a connection between the client and server.

• Negotiation phase involves agreeing on encryption algorithms and keys.

• Data transfer phase is when actual data is transmitted securely.

• Termination phase involves closing the connection.

• Examples: IKEv2 VPN protocol follows these phases.

ASP packet capture is a method of capturing and analyzing network traffic to identify potential security threats.

• ASP stands for Application Service Provider.

• Packet capture involves capturing data packets as they travel across a network.

• ASP packet capture helps in monitoring network traffic for security purposes.

• Tools like Wireshark can be used for ASP packet capture.

Packet flow of ASA/FTD involves ingress, inspection, and egress stages.

• Ingress stage: Packet enters the ASA/FTD device through an interface.

• Inspection stage: Packet is inspected by access control policies, NAT rules, and VPN configurations.

• Egress stage: Packet exits the ASA/FTD device through an interface towards its destination.

• Example: Ingress - packet enters ASA/FTD through outside interface, Inspection - packet is checked against access control list, Egress - packet exits...read more

SSL handshake is a process where a client and server establish a secure connection by exchanging encryption keys and verifying identities.

• Client sends a request to the server to initiate the handshake

• Server responds with its digital certificate

• Client verifies the certificate and generates a pre-master secret

• Both parties exchange encrypted messages using the pre-master secret to establish a secure connection