Palo Alto Networks PA-Series Reviews

Name: Palo Alto Networks PA-Series
Brand: Palo Alto Networks
Rating: 4 (30 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

30 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is Palo Alto Networks PA-Series?

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is essential for firewall implementation, perimeter defense, securing infrastructure boundaries, web filtering, VPN, and threat prevention. Organizations deploy it for secure cloud connections, internet security, and managing network devices.

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Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is the #15 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Palo Alto Networks PA-Series an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is most commonly compared to Netgate pfSense: Palo Alto Networks PA-Series vs Netgate pfSense. Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 44% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 21% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series

October 2024

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Featured reviews

Deminda Dilan

Senior Network Engineer at Just In Time Group (Sri Lanka)

The URL filtering and antivirus capabilities are great. Users can also create custom applications and mold them as needed. We've done QOS configurations for specific traffic, prioritizing or deprioritizing certain applications like YouTube. We also configure GlobalProtect for remote VPN clients, and some customers even require access to the company network through GlobalProtect. I've also worked with Wildfire, URL filtering, antivirus, file blocking, QOS, and VPN. Recently, I configured a VPN with Azure. Palo Alto has predefined applications that you can control at the application level. You can manage policies and specifically mention which applications to control. If you need to configure a custom application that's not already in Palo Alto's database, you can create one. Sometimes an application doesn't come pre-defined, so you need to create a custom application using signatures or packet captures.

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Pratik Tupe

Associate Process Manager at a computer software company with 5,001-10,000 employees

Palo Alto gives proper training for the product, not cutting corners over that. They don't assume you have previous knowledge and experience and start working directly, which happens in most companies. So, they provide product training very thoroughly. This helps the support system to have the necessary knowledge, not just before starting to work or troubleshoot. In the 11 months, we were initially trained on various OS versions and given tools like vSphere because we didn't have access to the Palo Alto environment. Later, when we got access, we were given a tool to design our own networks, study them, and, if needed, raise concerns about issues. The engineers or senior engineers would then study and guide us. They trained us for new upgraded versions of the OS regularly. Even as a third party, we had complete access to the Palo Alto Networks domain, tools, database, knowledge base, and everything. This gave us the opportunity to build our skills and understand what Palo Alto requires us to do. We could troubleshoot it properly with customers.

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Patrick Brem

Deputy senior network engineer at a manufacturing company with 201-500 employees

We use the solution to connect to the internet. It is for a company that produces dog and cat food. We have enabled threat prevention The product makes me and my users feel safe. I like the URL filtering. I don't have to change or add something. I like the security analyzer a lot. I use it a lot…

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Palo Alto Networks PA-Series mindshare

As of October 2024, the mindshare of Palo Alto Networks PA-Series in the Firewalls category stands at 0.2%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Sep 16, 2024

Valuable Features

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series offers robust security, stability, and efficient resource usage. Features like App-ID, URL filtering, reporting, and application-based policy enforcement are highly beneficial. Its user-friendly GUI and fast deployment time enhance usability. The integration with other systems and comprehensive logging capabilities improve threat detection and network management. WildFire, antivirus, and data encryption further strengthen security measures, while seamless Virtual Service Providers data transfer and CPU planning maintain network stability.

"Palo Alto has predefined applications that you can control at the application level."
"When I compare the tool with other firewalls, it’s the most powerful. It's the most powerful security engine. All the traffic going to the Internet passes through it as the first layer of protection. Because of its good performance, we also use it for decryption."
"The reporting feature and application ID functionality within Palo Alto Networks PA-Series are incredibly valuable to us."

Room for Improvement

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series needs better endpoint protection, reporting features, and support services. Pricing and licensing should be improved. Simplifying configuration and enhancing the user interface are necessary. Frequent OS updates and complexities during migration are concerns. Integrating additional security capabilities like WAF and threat detection features would be beneficial. The lack of community support and challenges with VPN and centralized management require attention. Enhanced artificial intelligence and a more robust technical assistance center are also needed.

"Palo Alto can improve the web application firewall (WAF) feature at layer 7."
"I had opened a case before with the tool because I could not create a wildcard for the security address. We can create wildcards for security addresses in Fortinet, but this feature doesn't exist in the product."
"Pricing flexibility could be an aspect worth considering, as it has been a concern for some of our clients."

ROI

Users reported a significant ROI from Palo Alto Networks PA-Series, noting reduced operational costs due to improved network security and streamlined incident response. Enhanced threat detection capabilities led to fewer security breaches, resulting in decreased downtime and higher productivity. The investment was justified by the robust protection and ease of management provided, which also reduced the need for additional security tools. Overall business impact was positively influenced by proactive threat prevention and efficient resource utilization.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers find Palo Alto Networks PA-Series pricing high compared to competitors like FortiGate and Cisco. While the solution is costly to buy, maintain, and renew, it offers excellent value through robust features and reliable support. Licensing is bundled with URL filtering, DNS security, and other essential services, simplifying the purchasing process. Pricing varies by model and usage needs, with entry-level firewalls starting at $1,300 and high-end models reaching several hundred thousand dollars.

"The solution's pricing is high compared to that of Cisco and Fortinet."
"With Palo Alto, even when you enable all the modules, it still provides the exact throughput they advertise."
"The pricing is fair."

Popular Use Cases

Companies primarily use Palo Alto Networks PA-Series for firewalling, perimeter defense, and securing network traffic. It is also widely utilized for VPN connections, web filtering, and threat prevention. Many organizations deploy it in multi-site environments and for cloud-based applications. It aids in securing AWS deployments, managing network security, and complying with regulations. Enterprises use it for protecting corporate networks, endpoints, and servers against internet threats. Its user-friendly features support network segmentation and advanced security tasks.

Service and Support

The technical support and customer service for Palo Alto Networks PA-Series are generally rated positively. Some users experience quick responses and effective issue resolution, while others report longer wait times and a need for more prompt assistance. Frequent updates and training for the support team are appreciated. Users rate support anywhere from four to ten out of ten, with high marks given for responsiveness, quality, and involvement in resolving complex cases.

Deployment

Most users found Palo Alto Networks PA-Series' initial setup straightforward. Some mentioned it was tricky if unfamiliar, but with proper planning and knowledge, it could be done easily in a few hours to a few days. Tools and documentation from Palo Alto aided in migration and setup. Maintenance required minimal personnel. The setup process was deemed smoother compared to other firewalls, especially with aspects like high availability and deployment speed.

Scalability

Scalability of Palo Alto Networks PA-Series varies by model, widely rated between 8 and 10. High-end models scale easily, fitting companies from SMBs to large enterprises. Users find hardware scaling limited, often requiring newer models as environments grow. Virtual firewalls offer more flexible scaling. Configuration can be complex, involving extensive setup knowledge. Multiple sectors, including banking and corporate, use Palo Alto Networks PA-Series, supporting thousands simultaneously.

Stability

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series receives high marks for stability, ranging from seven to ten out of ten. Users note it as very stable, with minimal to no issues encountered over several years. Some mention minor issues or frequent updates as areas for improvement, but it is still deemed more reliable than other firewalls. Many appreciate its high availability feature and consistent performance, solidifying its position as dependable.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Palo Alto Networks PA-Series Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

21%

University

12%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Government

Comms Service Provider

Media Company

Construction Company

Healthcare Company

Non Profit

Educational Organization

Retailer

Financial Services Firm

Outsourcing Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Non Tech Company

Newspaper

Wholesaler/Distributor

Legal Firm

Performing Arts

Logistics Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Hospitality Company

Insurance Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Mining And Metals Company

Compare Palo Alto Networks PA-Series with alternative products

Learn more about Palo Alto Networks PA-Series

Companies trust Palo Alto Networks PA-Series to protect corporate networks from external threats, control traffic between networks, and meet regulatory compliance. Integrating well with applications, it offers centralized management and advanced security features such as IDS, IPS, and GlobalProtect. It ensures stable performance, application-based policy enforcement, and decryption of SSL traffic while providing efficient resource usage and comprehensive logging.

What are the key features?

Stability: Reliable performance for continuous protection.
App-ID: Application-based policy enforcement.
URL Filtering: Prevents access to malicious websites.
Security Controls: Comprehensive threat prevention mechanisms.
User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies management and operations.
Efficient Resource Usage: Optimized for minimal resource consumption.
Reporting: Detailed logs and analytics for better insights.
Antivirus: Protects against malware and viruses.
WildFire: Advanced threat prevention with machine learning AI.
Protocol Anomaly Detection: Identifies unusual network behavior.
SSL Decryption: Ensures secure traffic inspection.
Encryption: Safeguards sensitive data.
VPN Capabilities: Secure remote access for users.
Active Directory Integration: Streamlines user authentication.
Quality of Service (QoS): Manages network traffic efficiently.

What benefits should be evaluated?

Enhanced Security: Superior threat prevention and detection.
Centralized Management: Streamlined control of network devices.
Regulatory Compliance: Assists in meeting legal requirements.
Operational Efficiency: Reduced resource usage and downtime.
Comprehensive Reporting: Complete visibility into network activities.
Scalability: Adapts to growing network demands.
User Accessibility: Simplifies secure access for remote employees.

Palo Alto Networks PA-Series is implemented across industries like healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing. In healthcare, it ensures patient data protection and compliance with HIPAA. Financial institutions utilize it to secure transactions and meet regulatory standards. Retailers benefit from protecting customer information and securing online payments. Manufacturing companies deploy it to safeguard intellectual property and control plant floor operations.