Are Legacy Certifications from Palo Alto Networks Still Worth It?

Palo Alto Networks has developed a robust certification ecosystem to support this growth. While the company has recently restructured its certification tracks to align with modern technologies and roles, several legacy certifications remain highly respected and continue to hold value in the industry. Legacy certifications are credentials that were once central to Palo Alto Networks' certification program but have since been phased out or integrated into newer certification paths. Despite this, they still reflect a strong foundation of technical knowledge and are recognized by employers worldwide for validating real-world skills.

Key Palo Alto Networks Legacy Certifications

PCNSE – Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer

The PCNSE was one of the most sought-after certifications in Palo Alto Networks' portfolio. It validated the ability to design, deploy, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Palo Alto Networks security platforms.

Target Audience Network security engineers, systems engineers, support staff, and consultants.

Skills Validated

• Deployment and configuration of Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)
• Managing security policies
• VPN configuration
• Panorama centralized management
• Threat prevention and logging

Current Status Although the PCNSE has been officially labeled as a legacy certification, it is still widely respected and may continue to appear on resumes of experienced professionals.

PCSAE – Palo Alto Networks Certified Security Automation Engineer

PCSAE focused on skills related to Cortex XSOAR, Palo Alto Networks’ security orchestration, automation, and response platform. It validated the ability to streamline incident response processes and integrate multiple security tools.

Target Audience Security operations engineers, incident responders, and security automation professionals.

Skills Validated

• Development and execution of playbooks
• Integration of security tools
• Use of threat intelligence and automation
• Management of incidents and indicators

Current Status This certification has largely transitioned to updated certifications that focus on Security Operations (SecOps), particularly in the Cortex XSIAM track.

PCCSE – Prisma Certified Cloud Security Engineer

The PCCSE certification centered around Prisma Cloud, a cloud-native security platform. It validated expertise in cloud security across multiple platforms, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Target Audience Cloud security engineers, DevSecOps professionals, and architects.

Skills Validated

• Cloud workload protection
• Compliance and governance in cloud environments
• Securing containerized applications and microservices
• CI/CD pipeline security

Current Status While no longer being actively promoted, the skills validated by PCCSE are now integrated into role-based cloud certifications within the Palo Alto Networks learning framework.

Why Legacy Certifications Still Matter

Even though these certifications are now considered "legacy," they:

• Reflect deep technical expertise in Palo Alto Networks solutions.
• Are still recognized by employers, especially in job descriptions requiring hands-on experience with PAN tools.
• Can demonstrate career longevity, especially in candidates with years of practical experience in deploying and managing Palo Alto environments.
• Serve as a foundation for newer role-based or specialist certifications, such as the Next-Generation Firewall Engineer or Security Service Edge Engineer credentials.

Transitioning to Modern Certifications

For professionals who hold legacy certifications, Palo Alto Networks encourages upskilling through their new role-based and specialist certifications, which are more closely aligned with current industry demands and technology updates.

New certifications are grouped into:

• Foundational (e.g., Cybersecurity Practitioner)
• Generalist (e.g., Network Security Generalist)
• Specialist (e.g., NGFW Engineer, XSIAM Analyst)

Palo Alto Networks legacy certifications like PCNSE, PCSAE, and PCCSE have paved the way for a more dynamic and role-based certification structure. While they are no longer actively offered, they remain a testament to the holder’s commitment to cybersecurity excellence and mastery of Palo Alto Networks solutions. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, professionals are encouraged to build upon these foundations and pursue updated certifications that align with emerging technologies and roles.